The late afternoon and early evening was spent today on a delightful walk through Merriam Park with fellow blogger and urbanist Steve Gross. I'll save him the embarrassment of posting his picture but I will share that he wore a pink shirt! Worn with class like a true metro-sexual!
Merriam Park is nestled in the west center of St. Paul bordered by Interstate 94 on the north and the Mississippi to the west. When 94 was built it decapitated a small section of Merriam Park that is north of the highway but still considered part of the neighborhood. Steve and I met at Marshall and the river and worked our way to the southern boundary along Summit Avenue and thoroughly enjoyed the ability to see the stately mansions up close. There is something restful about a neighborhood that has gardens by the sidewalk for all to enjoy and mature trees to shelter from the heated sun.
We walked uphill past the Town and Country Country Club where John Ireland's first St. Paul Cathedral cornerstone was laid. At the top of the hill we wandered south past St. Thomas University and walked the perimeter to Summit Avenue.
Colonel John Merriam had a plan when he designed Merriam Park complete with a train station (now it would be on the north side of 94) halfway between either downtown. The lots were sold with the requirement that the buyers would build a house within a year that was worth at least $1,500. In the 1880's that was a considerable sum of money and the houses show the quality even today. Although the Merriams had hoped to have both the St. Paul Cathedral and the Capitol in their little "suburb", that desire never reached fruition. Eventually Merriam Park was annexed and became part of St. Paul proper. Our tour ended at O'Gara's at Selby and Snelling where Charles Schulz spent his childhood.
Steve, of course, being young and in shape, was none the worse for wear. I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed the perfect temperature, low humidity, cooling breeze, and the 2.5 mile walk BUT will take a day to recuperate!
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