The Best of Dayton's Bluff in 1909
As many readers will know I live in an area called Dayton's Bluff. A brief overview of the area and some lost mansions is available on my previous post (Click Here--> Lost Mansions of Dayton's Bluff ) in 1909 the Dayton's Bluff Commercial Club put together a promotional booklet highlighting the glorious aspects of the neighborhood. A brief history of the organization and the building from St. Paul Historical written by my esteemed colleague Steve Trimble :
The Dayton’s Bluff Commercial Club was started in 1905 to provide a place for social exchange and community leadership. The clubhouse at 770 East Seventh Street was built for meetings and socializing for the area’s professional class. Later expansions added bowling lanes, private dining rooms, a men’s smoking room, a billiard area, as well as a banquet hall and dance floor.
The first Commercial Club. I love this photo not only because of the building itself, but look in the middle left of the image in the background. See the triangle shape? Pretty sure that's the turret from my house!
By the 1920s the old building was gone and in its place a fantastic new building, larger and grander! The front entrance and balcony are long gone, victims of widening of the street.
The building has been for sale for $599,000. Sadly and against the ordinance of the Historic District, the current owners painted the brick. An awful thing they did! Local historian Steve Trimble continues on by saying:
"The Commercial Club often spoke on behalf of the community and undertook a number of local initiatives. In 1909 they published a booklet entitled Picturesque Dayton's Bluff. In it, they discussed "the wonderful strides in material progress" that had been made in the area. There were photos of many area businesses and industries around East Seventh and the nearby homes of their owners. According to the booklet, “the many advantages offered on Dayton's Bluff are attracting home builders and residents” and over 700 new houses were going to be built.
The Commercial Club was involved in many activities in its early years. It had raised money for the erection of a ski slide in Indian Mounds Park. The organization launched an “industrial expansion project” to “encourage the establishment of industries in the East District. An energetic Women’s Auxiliary held many events including many “canned goods parties” to give food to charities. Large crowds also came to their annual picnics.
The Commercial Club shifted away from involvement in civic and economic matters after World War Two. The members were no longer the wealthy, but more of a cross section of the neighborhood. The leadership of the group had slowly shifted to small businessmen. It continued as a location for neighborhood events, including community sings, wrestling matches and wedding receptions. The annual bowling banquet after "pin season" was eagerly awaited by the community. Hundreds of people came to Commercial Club events such as musicals and vaudeville acts.
There were commercial clubs in many Saint Paul neighborhoods, but they slowly faded away. The Dayton’s Bluff Commercial Club was one of the few that hung on and continued to have members into the 1970’s. Since it closed, the building has often been empty, but has been sold from time to time. In the late 1970’s it was owned by a man who raised wholesale fish bait there and dubbed it “Worm City.” Most recently it has served as the meeting place for an Ethiopian Church."
Dayton's Bluff in 1909 wanted to showcase off a few of the community jewels including commercial and residential buildings.
A massive and fine corner of beautiful Victorian commercialism at its best. Faquier Street was renamed Bush Street after an executive at 3M which was headquartered in this area. Sadly this fine building has been lost to time and the corner looks a bit different today:
Next we have a selection of a few churches of the community which catered to many denominations.
1. Holman Memorial. This building was organized in 1882 as a Methodist church and renamed in honor of the Reverend F.O. Holman in 1904 in honor of the first pastor. Today this building is a residential space.
2. St. John's Catholic Church. According to a Dayton's Bluff Form Article from 2011 (undoubtedly by Steve Trimble, but correct me if I am wrong) : "The contract for building the church was let early in September 1886 and the Church of St. John of St. Paul became the twelfth Catholic Church in St. Paul when it was dedicated on December 19, 1886." This was the 2nd Catholic Church in the neighborhood. This church was to reach out to the English speaking Catholics of the area since the other church was for the German speaking population. The article continues "The church structure was typical for its time. A small, cross -crowned belfry tower topped off the building. The church could seat 450 people on its black walnut finished seats. This church served the parish until 1922 when a much larger, brick church was built." The church was a fixture in the neighborhood until 2013 when the church closed its doors for good and merged with another parish. The building will be sold or leased to a new venue.
3. German Lutheran Church was organized in 1887. The church shown above was a beautiful brick building of the late 19th century. It stood for quite some time until it was deemed structurally unsafe and was demolished in 1964. Soon thereafter a rather uninspiring church was built on the site.
4. Sacred Heart. This building is just up the block from my house. This was a really beautiful early church set upon a small mound that this area was once filled with. A Catholic Church which catered to German speaking residents.
This early building lasted quite some time. The old church was torn down in 1946 and by 1951 the current structure that still stands was built. The building today is still a Catholic Church, but caters now to the Spanish Speaking community and holds masses in English and Spanish.
5. St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church. This building is listed as being the only remaining 19th century church building in the community. Designed by William H. Wilcox, a major part of the sanctuary was added in 1905 by Clarence Johnston who is a well known architect. The building was converted to condos in the 1970s
#1. Sibley School built in 1884. This school, although perhaps not terribly architecturally unique, had a unique aspect joining it. Directly behind the school land was purchased in 1907 to create a playground. It is thought to be the 3rd oldest park in the city. Sadly the playground aspect of it was razed in 2012. In the 1960s the school district decided to combine this school with others in the area. The building was torn down not too long thereafter. Today the lot remains greatly underutilized.
#2 Van Buren School was first built in 1882 with several additions soon thereafter. This fine building lasted quite long actually and many long time residents remember the building. Sadly by the mid 1970s it was determined that the building should be replaced. A rather bland modern school building occupies the site now.
#3 Mounds Park School built in 1902. This building has a happier story than the other two. The school itself was combined into one local school in the 1970s and luckily the building was turned into condo units although sadly, the tower and 3rd floor have been removed.
The Mounds Park Sanitarium was started in 1906 and by 1909 the first class of nurse students graduated the Christian based school of nursing, according to the institution. This building was demolished to make way for a growing campus. Today the site is for long term care of the ill and seniors.
The Charles Kartak house was sadly lost, probably when the highway came through the area and reconfigured the streetscape near here.
The Kees house has also been lost to time sometime in the 19teens or early 20s.
This page shows the now gone residence of grocer Andrew Schoch.
On the flip side the Binder residence is still gracing the neighborhood. It includes a fabulous matching carriage house. Presently several apartments.
This great group of commercial buildings still exists. Hidden under some ugly renovations, the majority of the buildings are intact.
The site of the WW Dunn home is currently a parking lot, however the house was at one time moved to another location and thrives on.
The Gerstenmaier house still exists, in its modest setting. A bit hidden behind the brush and bad siding.
Long gone is the Concord Steam Laundry building
Gone is the simple wood frame Johnson & Hanson office
The Fuchs drug store building survives but not very recognizable inside or out. The tin ceiling inside is the only hint of the Victorian interior.
Andrew Levin's store is gone, replaced with a modern Mexican Consulate. His house however remains, just across the street from me.
Andrew Levin's House:
Andrew Levin's delivery cart behind his house:
I also found a very interesting and scandelous article about an event that occured at Mr. Levin's house. Published in the St. Paul Daily Globe on 12/11/1903
Thank our preservation stars that the Schornstein building is beautifully restored and used as housing.
Sadly both the O'Reilly & Anderson Grocers and the new flat building are both gone.
New Flat Location:
Gone is Mr. Kramschroeder's barber shop:
Gone is Peter Memmer's beautiful store:
Good news, Mr. Eschbach's store is still standing with a faint ghost sign. Sadly his home was torn down several years ago.
Gone is the Klinkerfues Brother's overall factory:
Buechner's house still stands, behind a great deal of greenery:
The Defiel also stands, beautifully restored:
Gone is the simple wood frame store of Mr. Zuehle
Dickman's building still exists.
One would think that we have not much left from the 1909 book. True while many of these structures are gone, there are some that still exist as testament to the good old days. We have a fantastic number of buildings that were not in this 1909 book that are restored and looking as they did 100 years ago.
If you like what you read on my blog and would like to contribute to the house restoration please click the donate button below. All donations will be GREATLY appreciated!! You will also be publicly thanked if you wish on a contributes page I hope to add at some point in the future.
The Dayton’s Bluff Commercial Club was started in 1905 to provide a place for social exchange and community leadership. The clubhouse at 770 East Seventh Street was built for meetings and socializing for the area’s professional class. Later expansions added bowling lanes, private dining rooms, a men’s smoking room, a billiard area, as well as a banquet hall and dance floor.
"The Commercial Club often spoke on behalf of the community and undertook a number of local initiatives. In 1909 they published a booklet entitled Picturesque Dayton's Bluff. In it, they discussed "the wonderful strides in material progress" that had been made in the area. There were photos of many area businesses and industries around East Seventh and the nearby homes of their owners. According to the booklet, “the many advantages offered on Dayton's Bluff are attracting home builders and residents” and over 700 new houses were going to be built.
The Commercial Club was involved in many activities in its early years. It had raised money for the erection of a ski slide in Indian Mounds Park. The organization launched an “industrial expansion project” to “encourage the establishment of industries in the East District. An energetic Women’s Auxiliary held many events including many “canned goods parties” to give food to charities. Large crowds also came to their annual picnics.
The Commercial Club shifted away from involvement in civic and economic matters after World War Two. The members were no longer the wealthy, but more of a cross section of the neighborhood. The leadership of the group had slowly shifted to small businessmen. It continued as a location for neighborhood events, including community sings, wrestling matches and wedding receptions. The annual bowling banquet after "pin season" was eagerly awaited by the community. Hundreds of people came to Commercial Club events such as musicals and vaudeville acts.
There were commercial clubs in many Saint Paul neighborhoods, but they slowly faded away. The Dayton’s Bluff Commercial Club was one of the few that hung on and continued to have members into the 1970’s. Since it closed, the building has often been empty, but has been sold from time to time. In the late 1970’s it was owned by a man who raised wholesale fish bait there and dubbed it “Worm City.” Most recently it has served as the meeting place for an Ethiopian Church."
Dayton's Bluff in 1909 wanted to showcase off a few of the community jewels including commercial and residential buildings.
Next we have a selection of a few churches of the community which catered to many denominations.
1. Holman Memorial. This building was organized in 1882 as a Methodist church and renamed in honor of the Reverend F.O. Holman in 1904 in honor of the first pastor. Today this building is a residential space.
2. St. John's Catholic Church. According to a Dayton's Bluff Form Article from 2011 (undoubtedly by Steve Trimble, but correct me if I am wrong) : "The contract for building the church was let early in September 1886 and the Church of St. John of St. Paul became the twelfth Catholic Church in St. Paul when it was dedicated on December 19, 1886." This was the 2nd Catholic Church in the neighborhood. This church was to reach out to the English speaking Catholics of the area since the other church was for the German speaking population. The article continues "The church structure was typical for its time. A small, cross -crowned belfry tower topped off the building. The church could seat 450 people on its black walnut finished seats. This church served the parish until 1922 when a much larger, brick church was built." The church was a fixture in the neighborhood until 2013 when the church closed its doors for good and merged with another parish. The building will be sold or leased to a new venue.
3. German Lutheran Church was organized in 1887. The church shown above was a beautiful brick building of the late 19th century. It stood for quite some time until it was deemed structurally unsafe and was demolished in 1964. Soon thereafter a rather uninspiring church was built on the site.
4. Sacred Heart. This building is just up the block from my house. This was a really beautiful early church set upon a small mound that this area was once filled with. A Catholic Church which catered to German speaking residents.
5. St. Peter's Protestant Episcopal Church. This building is listed as being the only remaining 19th century church building in the community. Designed by William H. Wilcox, a major part of the sanctuary was added in 1905 by Clarence Johnston who is a well known architect. The building was converted to condos in the 1970s
#6 German Methodist Episcopal Church. This one stumped me for some time where it was, because I couldn't find much information about it. I had to pull out the big guns and consult a friend and renowned local historian Jim Sazevich. Turns out it, the location was staring me right in the face the whole time. Just down the street from the still standing St. Peter's and according to Jim the tower was 100 ft high. Sadly the building has been lost and the lot has several 1970s housed oddly placed where a great structure once was.
#1. Sibley School built in 1884. This school, although perhaps not terribly architecturally unique, had a unique aspect joining it. Directly behind the school land was purchased in 1907 to create a playground. It is thought to be the 3rd oldest park in the city. Sadly the playground aspect of it was razed in 2012. In the 1960s the school district decided to combine this school with others in the area. The building was torn down not too long thereafter. Today the lot remains greatly underutilized.
#2 Van Buren School was first built in 1882 with several additions soon thereafter. This fine building lasted quite long actually and many long time residents remember the building. Sadly by the mid 1970s it was determined that the building should be replaced. A rather bland modern school building occupies the site now.
#3 Mounds Park School built in 1902. This building has a happier story than the other two. The school itself was combined into one local school in the 1970s and luckily the building was turned into condo units although sadly, the tower and 3rd floor have been removed.
The Mounds Park Sanitarium was started in 1906 and by 1909 the first class of nurse students graduated the Christian based school of nursing, according to the institution. This building was demolished to make way for a growing campus. Today the site is for long term care of the ill and seniors.
This lovely building has been replaced with a community garden.
1. Hamm Mansion. Now a park. To see more photos of the Hamm Mansion see my post here: Hamm Mansion
2. The Plondke house still stands, mostly intact albeit covered in vinyl siding. Built in 1884 by Dr. Plondke who was one of the founders of St. Johns Hospital. For more photos of St. Johns Hospital see here: St. Johns Hospital . Dr. Pondke was also a member of the Dayton's Bluff Commercial Club which probably accounts for why his specific house is in this publication. The 1920s saw another interesting resident live here, Mr. and Mrs. Charles A Pearson who was the President Treasure of Peasons Candy, a Minnesota tradition.
These two beautiful houses are still standing, although altered. Both are rental properties and have great potential to be restored on the exterior. Luckily they are both in the historic district so any exterior changes the owner would ever intend to do, need to be reviewed and approved.
According to Sketches of Big Folks in Minnesota 1907 :
"DINWOODIE William, St Paul. Res 771 E 7th st, office 823 E 7th st. Physician (R). Born Oct 1, 1854 in Manchester Eng, son of James and Mary A (Cross) Dinwoodie. Married Pauline Swartz. Attended Locherbie grammer school Scotland; matriculated at Edinburgh University; graduated from Jefferson Medical College Philadelphia 1877. Practiced medicine in Acuhsnet Mass 1877-82; in St Paul 1882 to date. Member Minn State and Ramsey County Medical societies; pres Dayton’s Bluff Commercial Club. Member Masonic fraternity and K T."
Dinwoodie's office today is still in use as a commercial space. Recently having the painted brick beautifully stripped down to the original brick service.
Charles Weinhagen owned a paper box manufacturing company. A German immigrant, his family lived at this house until approximately 1920. He was also a member of the commercial club. Sadly the porch has been lost, but could be rebuilt fairly easily.
The Charles Kartak house was sadly lost, probably when the highway came through the area and reconfigured the streetscape near here.
The Kees house has also been lost to time sometime in the 19teens or early 20s.
This page shows the now gone residence of grocer Andrew Schoch.
On the flip side the Binder residence is still gracing the neighborhood. It includes a fabulous matching carriage house. Presently several apartments.
This great group of commercial buildings still exists. Hidden under some ugly renovations, the majority of the buildings are intact.
The site of the WW Dunn home is currently a parking lot, however the house was at one time moved to another location and thrives on.
The Gerstenmaier house still exists, in its modest setting. A bit hidden behind the brush and bad siding.
Long gone is the Concord Steam Laundry building
Gone is the simple wood frame Johnson & Hanson office
The Fuchs drug store building survives but not very recognizable inside or out. The tin ceiling inside is the only hint of the Victorian interior.
Andrew Levin's store is gone, replaced with a modern Mexican Consulate. His house however remains, just across the street from me.
Andrew Levin's House:
Andrew Levin's delivery cart behind his house:
I also found a very interesting and scandelous article about an event that occured at Mr. Levin's house. Published in the St. Paul Daily Globe on 12/11/1903
Thank our preservation stars that the Schornstein building is beautifully restored and used as housing.
Sadly both the O'Reilly & Anderson Grocers and the new flat building are both gone.
New Flat Location:
Gone is Mr. Kramschroeder's barber shop:
Gone is Peter Memmer's beautiful store:
Good news, Mr. Eschbach's store is still standing with a faint ghost sign. Sadly his home was torn down several years ago.
Gone is the Klinkerfues Brother's overall factory:
Buechner's house still stands, behind a great deal of greenery:
The Defiel also stands, beautifully restored:
Gone is the simple wood frame store of Mr. Zuehle
And Soule's building is long gone
Dickman's building still exists.
One would think that we have not much left from the 1909 book. True while many of these structures are gone, there are some that still exist as testament to the good old days. We have a fantastic number of buildings that were not in this 1909 book that are restored and looking as they did 100 years ago.
If you like what you read on my blog and would like to contribute to the house restoration please click the donate button below. All donations will be GREATLY appreciated!! You will also be publicly thanked if you wish on a contributes page I hope to add at some point in the future.
This is a fascinating, and depressing, post!
ReplyDeleteSo much beauty, just tossed away. It is as if civilization is regressing.
Sigh.
I know it's heartbreaking isn't it. Seems as if Americans are speeding so fast towards the future that we are willing to throw away our past in a moment. The thing of it is, once these structures are restored, they are highly prized and desired. Why are developers and people not realizing this. A finely restored house is much more prized than a new build cookie cutter house. Then people preach about living green and recycling, yet have no issue bulldozing these fine buildings into the landfill. The hypocrisy! People only caring about the bottom dollar, and that will be the death of us. Luckily there are people like us that cherish these buildings and will make them hopefully last another century. What can we do but keep moving forward and being stewards of our collective history? My two cents.
DeleteSo wonderful that your neighborhood is so well documented, and so sad that some of the buildings have been lost or altered. I can hardly look at most old houses without seeing in my mind's eye what they might have looked like originally. I would dearly love to restore my own house, which has gone through multiple makeovers, but sadly, like most people, finances and the local depressed housing market make that a pipe dream.
ReplyDelete