December 13, 2007: West St. Paul Christmas Lights Hike (West 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. West St. Paul traditionally has featured extensive Christmas light displays.

If coming by car: Take Hwy 52/Lafayette Blvd. from Downtown St. Paul and exit at Butler Avenue. Go west on Butler Avenue to Robert Street, then go north to Bernard Street. Turn west on West Bernard Street and go to Salem Lutheran Church, 11 West Bernard Street, West St. Paul, between cross streets Humboldt Avenue and Hall Avenue. We will meet in the church parking lot.

Interested hikers will reassemble for dessert or dinner after the hike at a nearby restaurant (Perkins Restaurant, 1365 Robert Street South, West St Paul).

Map to hike start point: 11 Bernard St W
West St Paul, MN 55118-1409

West St. Paul Christmas Hike directions

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This page was last updated on November 25, 2007.