12/19/2002: West St. Paul Christmas Lights Hike (West St. Paul)

Join the hiking group for a Christmas lights hike through a portion of West St. Paul. West St. Paul's name was derived from St. Paul's west side, which dates back to early steamboat parlance. Even though the Mississippi river travels east and west at this point, steamboat captains referred to the left bank of the river as they traveled north as the "west side" of the river, no matter what direction the compass may point and the name stuck. Between 1887 and 1889, a split arose in what was then South St. Paul between the citizens living near the stockyard industry along the river and the farmers on the western border. Feeling short-changed in affairs of local government, this western faction split away and formed their own municipality in 1889, the City of West St. Paul.

If coming by car: Take I-94 to downtown St. Paul, take the Marion Street exit, and proceed east to Concordia Avenue West. Take Concordia Avenue southeast past the St. Paul Technical College until it becomes Kellogg Boulevard and turn west (right) onto West Seventh Avenue/Fort Road. Proceed a few blocks to Smith Avenue and turn south (left) across the "High Bridge" to the West Side. Four blocks after crossing the bridge, turn west on Baker Street and proceed four blocks to the corner with Cherokee Boulevard, where there is a parking lot. We will meet in the parking lot.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 67; 417. The closest bus service point appears to be along Smith Avenue. Applicable Metro Transit Map/General Transit Information

Restaurant afterwards.

Maps on Us map to the hike starting point

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