Join the group for a hike along the Mississippi River walkway east from downtown Port of St. Paul (Lambert’s Landing). The encroaching cliffs and a shallow river channel upstream made St. Paul the "end of the line" for Mississippi River steamboat traffic in the 19th Century. Lambert's Landing was the first steamboat landing in St. Paul, having been established in the 1830's. During the 1800's, St. Paul's Lower Landing was one of the busiest steamboat landings in the United States. Lambert's Landing, the lower landing, also was known as the Jackson Street Landing or as Roberts Landing, was named for Colonel George C. Lambert (1867-1934) in 1937. Until the beginning of the railroad era in the 1880's, the Lower Landing was the main source of supply and communication for St. Paul and also served as the arrival point for tens of thousands of immigrants entering Minnesota. On average, each steamboat carried several hundred passengers, and the number of steamboat arrivals grew from 256 in 1854 to 1,068 in 1858. Colonel Lambert was a St. Paul attorney and businessman who was born in Belgium. He also served as the State Adjutant General and was active in the Farmer's Union Terminal Association. The Lambert family pioneered barge operations on the Mississippi River and George C. Lambert led the drive to develop locks and dams as alternative to grain commodity shipments by rail.
If driving: From the West, take I-94 east to the eastern edge of downtown St. Paul and exit on the East Seventh Street exit. The exit ramp becomes Wall Street. Continue on Wall Street across East 7th Street to Third Street/Kellogg Boulevard, and turn west (right) onto Kellogg Boulevard. Proceed three blocks to Jackson Street and turn south (left). Continue on Jackson Street under the railroad underpass to Warner Road/Shepard Road and turn east (left). The Lambert’s Landing parking lot is a block or two east (on the right). From the East, take I-94 west to the eastern edge of downtown St. Paul and exit on the Sixth Street exit, proceed on 6th Street west to Jackson Street, turn south (left) and follow the “from the West” directions.
If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 58; 71; 79. The closest bus service point appears to be the corner of Kellogg Boulevard and Robert Street, with a short hike south and east from that point. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information
Interested hikers will reassemble after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Joseph's Grill, 140 South Wabasha Street) for dessert or dinner.
Map to the hike start point:
325 Warner Rd
St Paul, MN
Additional Lambert's Landing information
Early St. Paul settlement history
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This webpage was last modified on January 24, 2011.
