Payne-Phalen neighborhood (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

USA / Minnesota / Saint Paul / Saint Paul, Minnesota
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The Payne Phalen neighboorhood is better known as the "Greater Eastside" in St. Paul along with the Dayton's Bluff, Eastside and most of Battle Creek Highwood communities designated on this map. Payne Avenue was named after Rice W. Payne, whose property was confiscated after he fought in the Civil War as a Confederate major.Lake Phalen and Phalen creek were named after Edward Phelan a soldier discharged from Fort Snelling and later convicted for the murder of his partner but released when a dying Indian was said to "confess" to the murder. Dubious namesakes for an often surprising area. But what do you expect for part of a city that started as "Pig's Eye" named after it's deformed bootlegger founder. The history of the eastside is always linked to the immigrants from the first Swedes and Germans followed by Polish,Italian and others down to the Mexican immigrants all living in the original "Swede Hollow". Today it is the Asian and African immigrants along with a resurgence of Mexican immigration creating the new energy. The area has always contained a variety of ethnic shops and restaurants. Predominantly blue colllar and often having the reputation as "tough" it is full of surprises both of historical and contemporary flavor. Start at Payne and 7th at the Minnesota Music cafe for some libations or music 7 nights a week. Drive up Payne Ave with it's many bars and store fronts or follow the walking trails up Swede Hollow former home to the imigrant populations to the old Hamm's brewery. Follow 7th up to Dayton's bluff with it's large old Victorian style homes. Or take Arcade street and stop at the Polish American Club or follow it to Phalen park and lake and if you are lucky The Dragon Boat festval may by going on. If you like to adventure beyond the usual tourist traps take a side trip to the "eastside" next time you are in St. Paul. Try these links for more information:www.visitsaintpaul.com/DAM_public/8016.pdf
www.daytonsbluff.org/old/HistoricDBDrivingTourPart1.htm...
www.daytonsbluff.org/old/HistoricDBDrivingTourPart2.htm...
www.stpaul.gov/depts/parks/userguide/phalen.html
www.tpt.org/lostcity/swede.html
www.daytonsbluff.org/old/SwedeHollowWalkingTour.html
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Coordinates:   44°58'25"N   93°4'3"W

Comments

  • Did you say talk a walk along Payne Ave??? Not me brother and for sure not alone. Arcade is just as bad, the neighborhood may seem quiet but don't let it fool you. It full of gangs, drugs and prostitution and it's 24/7. I wouldn't compare it to say Chicago's south side but it's not quite the pretty picture you painted above. For those of you don't remember, or don't have the knowledge, St Paul Police Officers Jerry Vick, Ron Ryan Jr, Tim Jones and his dog Laser were all gunned down in cold blood right in this neighborhood.
  • God bless the East Side. My family on my Mothers side came to America in 1846 from Sweden, my father's side came in 1878 from Sweden. My Dad's father , Dr. O.F. Johnson was a physician on St. Paul's Payne Avenue. He spent his life taking care of people who could not pay for his services. He was a man of God, humanity and service to the poor. I look forward to meeting him in Heaven.
This article was last modified 13 years ago