Stories by author "Jane McClure": 87
Stories
Martin M. McNulty House
- 516 Lexington Parkway -
The Martin M. McNulty House at 516 N. Lexington Parkway, which is now a duplex, is a good example of a Prairie-style dwelling with details of a Midwestern Craftsman box-style home. It includes broad and stuccoed soffits,…
The Former Shoe House
- 743 Charles Avenue -
This two story house, built in 1885, didn’t attain notoriety until 1996 when artist Tyree Guyton and a cadre of helpers covered it with shoes as an art project. Many people donated shoes including then-State Representative…
727 Sherburne
This 1900 house has been through a number of renovation projects, and now sports a number of unusual angles and features that make it look like something out of a children’s book. It is covered over in stucco but some early streetscapes show it was…
Herman A.E. Trapp Home
- 698 Lafond Avenue -
The Herman A. E. Trapp House was built in 1900. This brick house has an open front porch; what appears to be the original top gingerbread porch trim and front roofline trim remains.
Fire Station 18
- Northwest corner of University Avenue and St. Albans Street -
This structure, built in 1908, has been modified and expanded over the years. But it still retains many of its distinctive details including ornamentation and a tower. It is Saint…
Historic Apartments
- 652-658 Sherburne Avenue -
This complex at 652-658 Sherburne Ave. has large porches and a rough brick block exterior that on first glance appears to be stone. There is a similar building at 683-865 Sherburne. This is a street with some very…
The Growing Neighborhood
Frogtown, like many other Saint Paul neighborhoods, grew along with the Twin Cities streetcar system during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Commercial corridors such as University Avenue were transformed after streetcar service began in…
Gardner's Cigar Factory
- 629 Kent Street -
This 19th century cigar factory, with its brick and stone construction and distinctive curved front, is now a residence and artists’ studio. Of Frogtown’s remaining commercial and small industrial buildings scattered…
Victorian Workers Cottages
The block of Charles Avenue between Dale and Kent streets has one of the largest groups of original Victorian workingmen’s cottages left in Saint Paul. Old city directories show that many were homes to area railroad and railroad-related industry…
Mid-block commercial building
- 567 Charles Avenue -
Commercial businesses not only developed at intersections but at mid-block as well, as seen at 576 Charles Avenue. Behind the two-story commercial building is a one-story concrete block and stone building that was once home…
Charles Buetow Home
- 567 Edmund Avenue -
The Charles Buetow home at 567 Edmund Ave. is a third example of a historic brick home that remains in good condition and retains much of its original appearance. Buetow was a laborer, like many of his neighbors. His home…
Klobe House and Riedl House
- 543 and 571 Sherburne Avenue -
These two very ornate and detailed brick houses date from the mid-1880s. Note that the houses have nice details and have been well-maintained over the years. 543 Sherburne is the Anton Klobe House and 571…
Reused and Repurposed Buildings
- 534 Blair Avenue -
Conversion of buildings for housing and moving of buildings to make way for new uses is not uncommon in Frogtown’s history, especially east of Dale Street. This is one of a few Saint Agnes Parish buildings that went through…
Alley House
- 538 Blair Avenue -
Many houses were built on narrow lots, with smaller “mother-in-law” or alley houses built in the backyards. Although a few alley houses can be found in other neighborhoods, most of Saint Paul’s are unique to Frogtown. Alley…
Victorian multi-family dwelling
- 514 Charles Aveune -
This large wood frame multi-family dwelling dates from 1879. Its Victorian style and details including a tower and distinctive roofline, as well as window details, make it stand out on a block with several well-preserved…
James Tracy Double House
- 481-483 Edmund Avenue -
The James Tracy Double House is a 2 ½ story duplex that has kept its charming wooden gingerbread porch and other building features. It was built in 1890.
Charles Plebuch House and Public Hall
- 434-438 Lafond Avenue -
This two-story red brick structure was built in 1888 and looks much the same as it did when it was built as housing, store and community space. It is now the Lafond Avenue Apartments and was converted from a mixed use to…
Margaret Schembri Row House
- 400-406 Van Buren -
This 1910 concrete-block row house is believed to be the only one of its kind in Saint Paul. It was designed by John Fischer. It retains many of its Colonial Revival elements.
Like many residential blocks in Frogtown,…
August Kaldunski duplex
- 286-288 Thomas Avenue -
This duplex, which was later converted into a fourplex, is built of concrete blocks. It was erected in 1907 and looks much as it did then with a simple entry and bay windows featured in its design. It is an unusual…
Sherburne Avenue, Rice to Dale
Sherburne Avenue between Rice and Dale streets has many older homes and converted neighborhood commercial buildings, some with unique details including ornate brickwork, towers, gingerbread trim, spooncarved details, turrets, bay windows and rounded…