10 Reasons North St Paul is an AWESOME Place to Call Home!

So what is the big draw to the town with the giant ever-smiling snowman? There is a love for this unique town that goes beyond the iconic snowman greeting those passing by on Highway 36.

People love living in North St Paul. The City of North St Paul, is located just EAST of St. Paul Minnesota along Highway 36. It is a quaint little town with a rich history that was founded in 1870 by Henry Castle on the banks of Silver Lake. He named the town’s main streets after his children, Henry, Helen, Margaret and Charles. When it incorporated in 1887, 221 people called the Village of North St. Paul home. From those humble beginnings, the town has grown considerably. As of 2008, nearly 12,000 people call the City of North St. Paul, Minnesota home.

Here is a top ten list of reasons why this community is such a great place to live.

#10—Water and Electric. Most cities provide the basic utilities of water and electricity to its residents. But few communities can boast water from five wells drilled deep into the earth for a pure, natural source of drinking water as well as their own power grid and wind turbine like North St. Paul can!

#9—Local Police and Fire. The City of North St. Paul is proud to have its own police department and volunteer fire department.

#8—Cowern Elementary, Richardson Elementary, Webster Elementary and North St Paul High School. Go Polars! North St. Paul has three K-5 grade schools and a high school within its borders. Cowern and Webster Elementary schools are located on the south side of 36; Cowern at Margaret St and South Ave and Webster on North St Paul Rd just north of McKnight. While both Richardson Elementary and North High School are located on the north side of 36. Richardson bisects 16th Avenue and North is located along 11th Avenue. All three schools are an integral part of the North St. Paul/Maplewood/Oakdale School District #622.

#7—Silver Lake Park, Beach and Fishing Pier. Many North St. Paul children have learned to swim on brisk summer mornings in the water of Silver Lake , a tradition that continues into today! Warm summer afternoons the beach and playgrounds are full of swimmers, fishermen and picnickers. Although there are several other parks and playgrounds scattered throughout North St. Paul, Silver Lake is one of the most often visited.

#6—Unique taste treats! Homemade French fries at Village Pizza, Broasted Chicken from Pizza Factory and award winning homemade ice cream from the HomeTown Creamery ice cream shop are just a few of the delectable treats served daily in North St. Paul.

#5—Booya! The fall tradition of the North St. Paul fireman’s booya is an experience that no resident of North St Paul can resist! After a night of cooking up a ‘secret recipe’stew in giant pots, the volunteer fire department serves up their brew for all. Whether purchased by the bowl or pot, it is a fall tradition enjoyed by community residents for nearly a century!

#4— Friday Night History Cruz. Love classic cars? Spend a Friday evening in North St. Paul for the History Cruz. Hundreds of car enthusiasts invade the main street of downtown North St. Paul, 7th Avenue, to show off their prized vehicles and see the shiny chrome fenders of yesteryear.

#3—The Snowman. The snowman has been greeting the residents of North St. Paul since it was constructed in the 1970’s. It was originally downtown behind what is now K&J Catering, but later moved to a park at the corner of Hwy 36 and Margaret Street. For those keeping statistics, the snowman is 44 feet tall and weighs about 20 tons! The North St. Paul Snowman is also a social-media phenomena with OVER 10,000 likes on this Facebook Page.

#2—Eclectic Options for Living. Whether you want the convenience of a low-maintenance townhome, a historical turn of the century treasure, a 1950’s rambler or bungalow, or a recently constructed, modified two story, you can find an affordable option to rent or purchase in North St Paul.

#1—Friendly People. The number one reason for living in North St Paul is the welcoming community atmosphere. Isn’t that what most people search for in a place to call home?

Copyright 2013 www.terieckholm.com

 

Cruz through History Every Friday Night in North St Paul!

If you stop the quaint downtown main street of North St Paul tonight or any Friday night in the summer, you might feel that you have stepped a few decades in time. Since 1996, the Friday Night History Cruz has been summer tradition in North St. Paul. The History Cruz is an informal car show where several hundred classic enthusiasts park along 7th Avenue on Friday evenings so residents and visitors alike reminisce about days gone by  while enjoying a corn dog, a cone from the Hometown Creamery or homemade fries from Village Pizza.

My husband and I head down to the suburban car show at least a few times every summer. As we walk down the sidewalk we notice there are many antique shops where  Miller’s Shoes, Harry’s Drug and the flower shop used to be. It is times like this,  I realize how much has changed in the community of North St Paul. The movie theater was demolished long before my husband and I were married and there is an empty space where Mac’s Dinette used to be not so long ago.

My kids weren't even aware there used to be a roller skating rink or bowling alley in town as Silver Skate roller rink has been a church for decades and Weber's was transformed into an office plaza before they had a chance to bumper-bowl on a Saturday afternoon. Now there is a wind turbine that shares the landscape with a new North High school and the ever-smiling snowman. Still there are homes and families that have been a part of this community for over a century. As former North St Paulites we always run into one or two familiar faces.

North St Paul is a community rich in history.

As much as things change, there are those maintaining the past, whether a historic home or classic car. North St Paul continues to have the buzz of a vibrant community, especially when the classics come to town!

If you are buying, selling or relocating to Minnesota and need help from a professional REALTOR®, give me, Teri Eckholm of RE/MAX Specialists, a call or visit my website for a FREE Relocation Packet or Homebuyers Success Packet. I specialize in acreage and lakeshore properties in the north and east Twin Cities metro area including Ham Lake, Lino Lakes and all communities in the Forest Lake School District! Serving Anoka, Chisago, Ramsey and Washington Counties in Minnesota. 

Copyright 2012 www.terieckholm.com

Take a History Cruz in North St Paul!

North St Paul is a community rich in history.

If you stop by on a Friday night in the summer, you might feel that you have stepped back in time. The Friday Night History Cruz has been at home in North St. Paul since very humble beginnings in 1996.

The History Cruz is an informal car show where several hundred classic enthusiasts park along 7th Avenue in the downtown of this quaint little town so residents and visitors alike can stroll down memory lane while enjoying a corn dog, a cone from the Hometown Creamery or a slice of Randy’s Pizza.

My family tries to get down to the North St Paul car show at least a few times every summer. Last Friday, as a way to kick off the Fourth of July weekend, we ventured down and snapped a few photos.
As we walked down the sidewalk where there are now antique shops where the Miller’s Shoes, Harry’s Drug and the flower shop used to be, I realize how much has changed. The movie theater was demolished long before my husband and I were married and there is an empty space where Mac’s Dinette used to be just a few years ago.

My teenaged son doesn't even know that there used to be a roller skating rink or bowling alley in town as Silver Skate roller rink has been a church for decades and Weber's was transformed into an office plaza before he had a chance to bowl a frame or two. Still there are homes and families that have been a part of this community for over a century. As former North St Paulites we always run into one or two familiar faces.

As much as things change, there are those maintaining the past, whether a historic home or classic car. North St Paul continues to have the buzz of a vibrant community, especially when the classics come to town!

Copyright 2010 Teri Eckholm