3M’s location by the railroad tracks was bounded on the west and south by the commercial streets of Arcade and East Seventh. It was centered within a thriving urban community that mixed industry with the residential neighborhoods of Dayton's Bluff, Payne-Phalen, and Swede Hollow. Its industrial neighbors included Seeger Refrigerator Company; Northern Malleable Iron; Herzog Iron Works; several dairies; Paper Calmenson & Company Steel and Iron and Saint Paul Harvester Works. Several of these properties were eventually taken over by 3M as the company expanded. These industries were served by the railroads, while the workers in these industries traveled by streetcar and later by bus along Arcade Street and East Seventh Street. Many local employees lived close enough to walk to work. Business and commercial establishments were located along Arcade, East Seventh, and East Minnehaha. Among them were banks, automobile dealers, auto service stations, a funeral parlor, restaurants, lunch counters, drugstores, and taverns that catered to local residents and workers in nearby industries.
Living on the East Side, 1920s - 1960s
East Side neighborhoods, including Dayton's Bluff, Payne-Phalen, and Swede Hollow, had long been the home of aspiring immigrant communities. These neighborhoods and the two nearby high schools, Johnson and Harding, were ready sources of potential 3Mers. One could get a job in the 3M abrasives, adhesives, or tape factories. Many did, learned on the job, shifted to other positions, and advanced. To recruit trained office workers, 3M offered part-time positions to young women in high school business programs. Part-time positions were given to young men in trades training programs.
Encouraging Local Engagement
Saint Paul’s East Side had many churches of various denominations, often affiliated with ethnic groups. 3M, as a matter of company policy, urged its employees to participate in religious activities. 3M also encouraged employees to be good citizens, exercise their right to vote, be aware of politics, and contact their elected officials.
Leisure and Recreation
The immediate neighborhood had opportunities for leisure activities including several movie theaters—the Roxy on East Minnehaha, the Arcade, and the Payne. 3M itself was an important source of leisure and recreational activities. Many of the employees were members of the 3M Club, which sponsored a wide variety of sports teams and hobby clubs for both men and women. The teams played internally and in the Commercial League with other Saint Paul companies. Socializing was also encouraged within departments, from congratulatory parties for marriages, babies, and retirements, to large Christmas dinners at local restaurants and country clubs.
Media
Images
Arial Circa 1940: Arial view of the 3M Campus from around 1940. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietySeeger Refrigerator Company: Seeger Refrigerator Company, one of the industrial neighbors of 3M, amidst construction. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyStreetcars: Workers in local industry frequently travelled by streetcar, and later bus, down East Seventh and Arcade Streets. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyLocal Business: Swanson's Drug stood at the corner of Arcade and East 7th Streets, two bustling corridors lined with local businesses. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyUntitled ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietySwede Hollow Junior Gang, 1935 ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyStudents At Saint Paul High School: Local high schools became a recruiting ground for future 3M employees, and the company offered part-time positions to many students. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyJohnson High School: Johnson High School and surrounding neighborhood ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyHarding High School: Harding High School and surrounding neighborhood ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyOur Savior Lutheran Church: Our Savior Lutheran Church, corner of Earl and Minnehaha ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietySacred Heart Catholic Church: Sacred Heart Catholic Church, corner of East Sixth Street and Arcade ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society3M Headquarters, Election Day 1964: 3M encouraged employees to exercise their right to vote; an enthusiasm solidly on display at company headquarters on Election Day in 1964. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society3M Band Club: 3M Band Club members Hazel Daves, Ruth Heinrich, and Clara Goetke at Mike's Place, Forest and East Seventh Street. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society3M Baseball Team: The 3M Club sponsored sports teams and hobby clubs for employees. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society3M Hockey Team, Commercial League 1954: The 3M Club sponsored sports teams and hobby clubs for employees. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society3M Saint Paul Club, 1957: 3M Saint Paul Club representatives elected in 1957. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society"A 3M Ro-MMM-ance": Socializing was encouraged within departments and occasionally romantic relationships would emerge between coworkers. Tom and Irene Rose were one such couple: they tied the knot October 6, 1951. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical SocietyCause for Celebration: 3M promoted a lively social culture for its employees, encouraging and organizing congratulatory parties for marriages, babies, retirements, and holidays. ~ Source: Minnesota Historical Society
