St Paul Information

The city of St Paul has served as the capital of the state of Minnesota ever since 1849 when the city was named capital along with the formalization of the state of Minnesota. The city derived its name from the church of St Paul established in 1841 by Father Galtier and the name was officially used as an honor to the church. It has since then grown to become the second most populous city in the state and serves currently as the seat of Ramsay county.

The area was inhabited by the Dakota Indians in the time period between 1600 to 1837 after which the place slowly attracted traders from other parts of the US. The original Dakota Indians were forced to relocate after signing a treaty with Henry Schoolcraft. In the 1820's the area became an important trade center and came to be known as the Pig's Eye Landing. The area soon got connected with other parts of the USA with the railways and the city became headquarters of the Great Northern Railway and Northern Pacific Railway.

The Mississippi river runs through it. The city has also acquired the name of “twin cities” along with its sister city of Minneapolis which again lies to its east. The popular Lake Como runs through the city. The census of 2000 shows 287,151 residents of the city with a dominant White population. The people are largely Christian but divided between the Roman Catholic Church and Protestantism.

Noted for its neighborhoods the city has also been named “15 small towns with one mayor” because of its Neighborhood centric culture. The city houses the Minnesota Capitol Building and is also well known for being the hometown to several prestigious colleges like the College of St Catherine and St Paul College. Some famous personalities born in this city were famed author F. Scott Fitzgerald, cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, painter LeRoy Neiman and playwright August Wilson.

Ice hockey and baseball are the major sports played in the city and the city's cultural front is renowned for its famed in performing arts.