October 29, 2009: Irvine Park/Cherokee Park Architectural/Historic House Hike (St. Paul)

Join Larry Martin for a hike between St. Paul's historic Irvine Park, the oldest residential area in St. Paul, and St. Paul's Cherokee Park, on the heights above the Mississippi River, over the historic High Bridge. When the “Town of St. Paul" came into existence in 1849, it occupied approximately 280 acres. The original town site consisted of two subdivisions, the "Town of Saint Paul" (sometimes referred to as the "Saint Paul Proper") and "Irvine & Rice's addition," filed as Rice and Irvine's addition to Saint Paul. Along with Rice Park, Irvine Park is the oldest park in St. Paul. The park was developed in a "city square" style. Irvine Park is named for James Irvine, a developer who came to Minnesota in 1843. The area was little more than open space at the edge of a marsh when Irvine donated the land to the city for a park. The area was a fashionable place to live during the period 1860-1890. Starting in 1849, many prominent or notable citizens lived on or near Irvine Park, including Alexander Ramsey, Joseph Forepaugh, John Hammond, Nathaniel Langford, Horace Austin, Nathan Myrick, Charles Lockwood, Henning Van Minden, Blanche Yurka, and Harriet Bishop.

If coming by car: Take I-94 east to the west edge of downtown St. Paul and take the Fifth Street exit. At the intersection with West Seventh Street, go west (right) on West Seventh Street and proceed a few blocks to Walnut Street. Turn south (left) onto Walnut Street and proceed about two blocks to Exchange Street. Turn west (right) on Exchange Street and proceed two blocks to where Exchange becomes Forbes Avenue, then proceed one very short block on Forbes Avenue to Wilkin Street, then turn south (left) on Wilkin Street and go one block to McBoal Street. The City of St. Paul recently placed stringent restrictions on parking on the streets surrounding Irvine Park, so the closest on-street legal parking is on Wilkin Street, between Forbes and McBoal. Meet at the corner of Wilkin Street and McBoal Street.

If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 9, 14, 49. The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Walnut and West Seventh Street. Applicable Metro Transit Map Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information

The group will reconvene at a nearby restaurant after the hike for dinner or dessert.

Map to the hike start point, corner of Wilkin Street and Mcboal Street, St. Paul

Architectural notes for structures along the hike, part 1

Architectural notes for structures along the hike

Irvine Park/Cherokee Park Hike Directions

Alexander Ramsey House historical information

High Bridge history

Art work adjoining the High Bridge

1905 High Bridge Disaster

Cherokee Park Information

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This webpage was last updated on September 14, 2009.