The Start and Standing of Saint Paul
My hometown of Saint Paul, Minnesota was historically land of the Hopewell, Dakota, and Ojibwe Native Peoples (Behind Minnesota’s Native History). Before it was inhabited by people, the Laurentide Ice Sheet moved down from Canada and carved valleys and kettles into the limestone, like what is now Lake Como and Lake Phalen(An Early History of Saint Paul). In the early 1800’s the US government began taking land away from the Native people to build a military reservation at the convergence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, and also the Mississippi and Saint Croix rivers. The Treaty with the Sioux of 1837 gave all land east of the Mississippi to the federal government (Behind Minnesota’s Native History). Many French-Canadian fur traders and settlers moved into the area. A Catholic missionary from France had the first chapel built and named “St. Paul” for the saint of missionaries and public workers in 1841. In 1849, Minnesota became a territory with Saint Paul as the capital (An Early History of Saint Paul).
In the late 1800’s, the city became a meeting point hub of people traveling along the many rivers and the foundation of the James J. Hill railroad empire . The rail tracks spread through Minnesota, Wisconsin, the Dakotas and even into Montana (James J. Hill). Iron ore was mined from the Precambrian banded iron formation deposits around Lake Superior and then sent on the rail tracks. For much of the early mining history there was no regulation. Mining creates particles that decreases air quality. Runoff from the mines can also seep into the ground and contaminate land and water. Native Americans did historically mine but have been opposed to recent mines because of the potential environmental harm from modern mining techniques (Mining).
The railroads made it possible to displace even more Native Americans and drive the American Bison to near extinction. Westward expansion of the tracks broke many treaties and violence broke out between the settlers and Native people on many occasions. Huge massacres of Native Americans were ordered by US Army commanders to purposefully remove the “wild tribes” from interfering with their expansion plans. Hunting parties took the trains west to find bison herds and killed 200,000 annually. By the 1900s there were less than 300 bison left. (Where The Buffalo No Longer Roamed).
While the railroads are not used in the same level today, the impact still exists in Saint Paul. There are no bison, except for those kept in captivity at the Minnesota Zoo. There is little evidence of the Native People, except for the Indian Burial Grounds along the Mississippi River Bluffs. Iron from Lake Superior was made into steel and other materials necessary to urbanize the downtown. People and groups do work to conserve remaining natural areas but the landscape looks completely different than before settlers moved west.
Sources:
Diamond, Peter. “Behind Minnesota's Native History.” Mpls. St.Paul Magazine, 3 Dec. 2019, https://mspmag.com/arts-and-culture/our-home-native-minnesota-history-center/.
“James J. Hill.” Minnesota Historical Society, https://www.mnhs.org/hillhouse/learn/james-j-hill.
“Mining: Midwest Environmental Advocates.” Midwest Environmental Advocates, https://midwestadvocates.org/issues-actions/issues/detail/mining.
Ponessa, Caroline. “Visit Saint Paul Minnesota.” Visit Saint Paul, 11 Oct. 2018, https://www.visitsaintpaul.com/blog/an-early-history-of-saint-paul/.
“Where the Buffalo No Longer Roamed | History| Smithsonian Magazine.” Smithsonian Magazine, 12 July 2012, https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/where-the-buffalo-no-longer-roamed-3067904/.
Hi Mia! I think that St. Paul has a very interesting history that is similar to many other midwestern cities; typically railroads allowed for the propagation of commercial markets and greater exploitation of the resources around the major cities. In St. Paul's case, the railroads were used to expand the forced displacement of the native peoples of the area, tragically.
ReplyDeleteOne question I have is the historical relationship between St Paul and Minneapolis. I remember a friend telling me that Minneapolis was a large milling town with the increase in grain production. Do you know what St. Paul's relationship with that industry was?
Hi Mia, great post. It was really interesting to read about the history of St. Paul, one thing that stood out to me was how simpler it was to my own town and the other Midwest ones we learned about. Specifically how natives where first to the land and used the river as main source to transport goods and source the area. Also I noticed how mining was relevant in the natives before European settlers came however upon their arrival it drastically increased which I think is simpler with lots of areas. I also noticed how the railroads came later after development to help the area thrive and then died down later. One of the things I liked most about your post was the inclusion of the glacier history. I thought it was interesting which ice sheet came and carved out the unique features of your hometown.
ReplyDeleteHello Mia!
ReplyDeleteThe emphasis of railroads on the history and growth of the Midwest is so interesting. They are such a large impact on the commercial growth of an area, but also as you pointed out they were a large part of travel.
I find it super interesting how much the railroads of your area were used as a way of displacement of the native communities of your area. Compared to my home, where they brought in wealthy families for their vacation, it just goes to show how much a change like a railroad could also have significant negative impacts to people and animals. I appreciate that you helped educate me more in the atrocities of the past as these are things that should not be hidden and are important to learn from.