City of St. Paul Merriam Park

Website: www.ci.stpaul.mn.us, www.merriam-park.org

County: Ramsey

Population: 18,803 (2000)

Median Income: $38,774

Chamber of Commerce: Midway Chamber of Commerce, 

Hospitals: St. Joseph's, Regions, United

School District(s):  St. Paul (625), www.spps.org/, 651-767-8100

Electric:
  Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com, (800) 895-4999
Gas:
  Xcel Energy, www.xcelenergy.com, (800) 895-4999
Phone:
  Qwest Communications, www.qwest.com, (800) 244-1111
Cable:
  Comcast, www.comcast.com, (651) 222-3333
Water/Sewer:
  City of St. Paul, 651-266-6350

About the Community of St. Paul Merriam Park

A Brief History of Merriam Park
In 1881, John L. Merriam, business entrepreneur, began platting his 140 acres into a development which he called Merriam Park. Ideally situated between St. Paul and Minneapolis, he envisioned it as a "suburban residence town" for business and professional workers and their families. Commuter train service was available in the midst of wild flowers and country peacefulness.

Merriam's dream village materialized as new streets were laid out. the charming suburb, designed in the popular 19th century mode of a Victorian garden park in which skilled craftsmen built large homes to fit the individual taste of the owners, was the place to move in the 1880's and '90's. Located midway between St. Paul and Minneapolis, the modern commuter of his day boarded a train at the Merriam Park Depot for a brief 5 mile, 12 minute ride to either city's downtown. Fare was 7 1/2 cents and service ran hourly from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with an "after-theater" motor at 11 o'clock each evening.

A village school opened in the fall of 1883. Named Longfellow, after the beloved American poet who had died the previous year, the two-story frame building was erected at the corner of Prior and Iglehart. Churches were erected by various denominations in the community. Small business shops flourished around the depot. Eventually, streetcar service and electric lights began to replace the trains and gas lights. Horses and buggies were passed over for automobiles.

Today, I-94 passes through Merriam Park carrying travelers as the trains did before. Despite a myriad of changes in the past century, a small town ambiance remains in the Merriam Park neighborhood of St. Paul.

St. Paul Parks & Recreation

The City of Saint Paul, Division of Parks and Recreation has great places to visit and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy. Included among its facilities are over 160 parks and open spaces, the Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, 41 recreation centers, a 9 hole and three 18 hole golf courses, over 100 miles of trails, indoor and outdoor pools, a public beach, sports and aquatics facilities, and wonderful rental facilities for weddings, picnics, and corporate events.