A block from Rice Park stands the Roy Wilkins Auditorium. Renamed in 1984 for the executive director of the NAACP and longtime civil rights advocate, the auditorium has been an important venue for…

- A Powerful Political Influence (1874-1969) - Nellie Griswold Francis, wife to William T. Francis (the first black to receive a diplomatic appointment), was a strong political influence in her own…

People arriving in Saint Paul between 1900 and 1940 generally came by train through the Union Depot. In its heyday, this neoclassical structure served 282 trains and 20,000 passengers daily. The depot…

The State Capitol and Mall represent an interesting political history for Minnesota's African Americans. In 1868, the state's black population reached 759 people. That year, the state amended its…

In 1914 the Union Hall Association was created to meet the needs of the growing black community and to improve relationships with the white community. It built the Hallie Q. Brown Community House…

The first employment services for African Americans seeking entry into the local workforce were delivered out of barbershops and beauty parlors. Most important of these was the Hall Brothers…

The intersection of Lexington and Marshall represents two points of entry by African Americans: education and athletic achievement. In Saint Paul, access to educational institutions was generally…

Horseshoer seems like a little bit of an exotic profession today, but in the 19th century--in fact until the 1920's--a motorized truck could not haul as much weight as a draft horse and wagon. While…

Neighborhood growth radiated from downtown, with most of the growth to the west and north. Many of the earliest dwellings were single-family homes or duplexes. Small corner stores, taverns and other…

Sherburne Avenue between Rice and Dale streets has many older homes and converted neighborhood commercial buildings, some with unique details including ornate brickwork, towers, gingerbread trim,…

- 286-288 Thomas Avenue - This duplex, which was later converted into a fourplex, is built of concrete blocks. It was erected in 1907 and looks much as it did then with a simple entry and bay…

- 400-406 Van Buren - This 1910 concrete-block row house is believed to be the only one of its kind in Saint Paul. It was designed by John Fischer. It retains many of its Colonial Revival…

- 434-438 Lafond Avenue - This two-story red brick structure was built in 1888 and looks much the same as it did when it was built as housing, store and community space. It is now the Lafond Avenue…

- 481-483 Edmund Avenue - The James Tracy Double House is a 2 ½ story duplex that has kept its charming wooden gingerbread porch and other building features. It was built in 1890.

- 514 Charles Aveune - This large wood frame multi-family dwelling dates from 1879. Its Victorian style and details including a tower and distinctive roofline, as well as window details, make it…

- 538 Blair Avenue - Many houses were built on narrow lots, with smaller “mother-in-law” or alley houses built in the backyards. Although a few alley houses can be found in other neighborhoods,…

- 534 Blair Avenue - Conversion of buildings for housing and moving of buildings to make way for new uses is not uncommon in Frogtown’s history, especially east of Dale Street. This is one of a few…

- 543 and 571 Sherburne Avenue - These two very ornate and detailed brick houses date from the mid-1880s. Note that the houses have nice details and have been well-maintained over the years. 543…

- 567 Edmund Avenue - The Charles Buetow home at 567 Edmund Ave. is a third example of a historic brick home that remains in good condition and retains much of its original appearance. Buetow was a…

- 567 Charles Avenue - Commercial businesses not only developed at intersections but at mid-block as well, as seen at 576 Charles Avenue. Behind the two-story commercial building is a one-story…