Historical Markers in
Ramsey County, Minnesota

151-155 Western Avenue 3M & Labor 3M & Saint Paul 3M & the Community 3M & World War II: The People 3M & World War II: The Products 3M Vision & Growth 3M, a Family Affair A Century in the Sky A History of Change Abrasives Products & Manufacturing Al Avila Alexander Ramsey House Battle Creek Regional Park Building the "Skally" C.S.P.S. Hall Cathedral of Saint Paul Cathedral of Saint Paul Cornerstone Central Presbyterian Church Charles A. Lindbergh Charles W. Holman Church of Saint Louis, King of France Como Park's Early Years Cornerstones & Time Capsules Creation and Development of 3M Curtiss Northwest Airport and its Fliers Curtiss Northwest Airport – Serving the Area De Dakod Makoce Unkitawapi E E Destination Lake Phalen Endicott Building Explosion: 3M Response to Disaster Extending the U F. Scott Fitzgerald House Fountain Cave Freedom House Station 51 Frost Avenue Gervais Grist Mill Getting a Job at 3M Gladstone Savanna's Natural History Growing a Stock Growing in Minnesota Hackett Block Hamm's Bear Harold "Hep" Cronin History in Depth History of Saint Paul Hubert H. Humphrey Hydro Electric Turbine In Memory of Civilian Conservation Corps Personnel Innovations from the Saint Paul Campus Irvine Park / Irvine Park Historic District Jacob Fahlstrom James J. Hill / The James J. Hill House Kenneth Wayne Stauffer Lambert's Landing Legends of Rondo Neighborhood Leif Erikson Machines, Tools, & Engineering Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church Marketing 3M & Its Products Marti Wolever Meeker Island Lock and Dam Meeker Island Lock and Dam Historic Site Minneapolis War Memorial Blood Bank Mississippi River Gorge Northern Pacific Railway Warehouse Old Anatomy Building Our Lady of Victory Chapel / Derham Hall People & Times: 3M & Saint Paul's East Side Phalen Regional Park Waterfall Phil Rizzo Pioneer Building Ramsey County Cemetery Remnants of a Former Rail Yard Rice Park Saint Paul and Ramsey County WWI Memorial Saint Paul Rubber Company Scotch Brand Shadow Falls Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet Site of First School Patrol Crossing in the World Site of Minnesota's First Synagogue St. Joseph's Academy St. Paul Civil War Memorial Streetcars to Como Summit Lookout Park Summit–Selby Neighborhood Terry Reynolds The 3M Flagpole The Goldstein Legacy The Hamline Plaza The Indian Mounds Park "Airway" Beacon The James J. Hill Reference Library The Melan Arch The New York Life Eagle The Original Townsite Plat of White Bear Lake The Picturesque Landscape The Red River Ox Cart Trail The Reverend Lucien Galtier The Saint Paul Public Library The St. Paul Campus Three Islands in the Mississippi Tom Greenwade Union Depot Veterinary Medicine Welcome to Dale Street Station Welcome to Union Depot Station Welcome to Victoria Street Station What Did They Do? Working Women at 3M World War I Memorial Grove "Spiral for Justice" Roy Wilkins Memorial "The Mining"
The first European to explore Minnesota was French explorer Jean Nicolet in 1634. He traveled along Lake Michigan and the Fox River and likely reached the present-day state of Minnesota.
Minnesota random facts
Ramsey County, located in the eastern part of Minnesota, has a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. The area was initially inhabited by Native American tribes such as the Dakota and Ojibwe, who relied on the Mississippi River for trade and sustenance. The arrival of French fur traders in the 17th century brought significant changes to the region, leading to European settlement.

In the 19th century, Ramsey County was established as one of Minnesota's original nine counties in 1849. The county derived its name from Alexander Ramsey, the first territorial governor of Minnesota. The area began to develop rapidly, with the construction of the state's first railroad in 1862, connecting St. Paul (the county seat) with the rest of Minnesota and pushing economic growth.

During the late 19th century, St. Paul became a major center for trade and transportation, with its location on the Mississippi River and proximity to railways. The city witnessed significant industrialization, attracting diverse industries such as milling, meatpacking, and brewing. The population of the county expanded rapidly, attracting immigrants from various European countries who sought employment opportunities.

In the 20th century, Ramsey County continued to grow and diversify. It played a critical role in World War II as the site of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant, which produced munitions for the war effort. The county also faced challenges, including racial tensions and urban decay in certain areas. Today, Ramsey County remains a vibrant urban area with a diverse population and a strong economy, characterized by its thriving arts and culture scene, high-quality education, and numerous recreational opportunities.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Ramsey County, Minnesota.

  • 1849 - Ramsey County is established in Minnesota Territory
  • 1850 - St. Paul becomes the county seat
  • 1857 - Land west of the Mississippi River is transferred to Hennepin County
  • 1862 - Dakota tribes are forcibly removed from the county during the U.S.-Dakota War
  • 1889 - Capitol building is completed in St. Paul
  • 1900 - Population of Ramsey County exceeds 200,000
  • 1938 - The Highland Park Water Tower is built
  • 1974 - Landmark Center opens as a cultural center and events venue
  • 1992 - Xcel Energy Center is constructed in downtown St. Paul
  • 2010 - Population of Ramsey County reaches nearly 520,000