December 11, 2003: West Side/West St. Paul Christmas Lights Hike (St. Paul)

Join Larry Martin for a hike to view the Christmas lights on St. Paul's West Side and in 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 actually flows 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. The west side of St. Paul once was part of Dakota County and the City of West St. Paul, but was acquired by and made part of the City of St. Paul in 1874 in conjunction with the conversion of the Wabasha bridge from a toll bridge.

If coming by car: Meet at the St. Paul Baker Recreation Center. The Baker Recreation Center is located off of Dodd Road at the corner of Page Street W and Bellows Street. From the East/North, take Highway 52 from Downtown St. Paul across the Lafayette Bridge to the West Side and exit on Butler Avenue. Proceed west (right) on Butler Avenue about a mile to Stryker Avenue, five blocks west of Robert Street, and turn south (right) on Stryker Avenue. Proceed south on Stryker Avenue five blocks to Page Street W and turn west (left) on Page Street W. The recreation center is located three blocks west of Stryker Avenue on Page Street W. From the West, take Hiawatha Avenue/Highway 55 from the north or the Crosstown Highway/Highway 62 from the west to the Mendota Bridge and go south on Highway 55 over the Mendota Bridge to Highway 110. Take Highway 110 east to Dodd Road and turn northeast (left) on Dodd Road. Proceed northeast on Dodd Road about 3.5 miles to Page Street W and turn west (left) and go one block to the recreation center. Meet in the parking lot of the recreation center.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): . The closest bus route drop off point seems to be . Applicable Metro Transit Map/General Transit Information

After the hike, the group will reassemble at a nearby restaurant for dessert or dinner.

Maps on Us map to the hike starting point

West Side/West St. Paul Christmas Lights Hike Directions

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This page was last updated on December 11, 2003.