In attempting to tell the story of the last ten or twelve years of development of St. Louis Park, one is astounded at the changes that have taken place. But trying to find some threads of major movements leads one…

The depression of 1929 was one of the most important events which had happened in the generation and the results of its damage were to remain with the people of St. Louis Park for almost a decade. For a time…

The most important factor which was to determine the characteristics of the village in the decade 1920 to 1930 was the tremendous growth of population. The two preceding decades had seen an increment of between four and five hundred persons…

While the nation and the world saw Europe engaged in the great war in this six year period, the people in St. Louis Park were ‘beginning to think of the village as a place to live – rather than as…

The twentieth century opened with a certain amount of optimism and prosperity which bid well for the nation and country. William McKinley was president and the program of the agrarian segment of the west which had been represented by William…

From the Dispatch, 1961:   Girl Scouts Had Merry Times Here in Earlier Days; Number 1400 Today   Middy blouses and voluminous black gym bloomers (remember those monstrosities?) was the accepted costume of active gals when Girl Scouting was introduced…

One of the most important families in the history of eastern Excelsior Blvd. was the Hankes. Carol Borgeson Hartvigsen, a dedicated Hanke descendant, has written a detailed book about the family. Carol has also written a memoir about her Hanke…

St. Louis Park was known more for its bars than drugs, but there were some problems, especially in the 1970s.  Also see Liquor in the Park. 1860 Cocaine was first synthesized in 1860 by German chemist Albert Nieman.  It would…

Something in the Water is a book about the history of St. Louis Park that was edited and published in 2001 by Park native Don Swenson (Class of 1945). From his home in Arizona, Don tracked down his childhood friends…

Some call Harold Enestvedt the “Father of St. Louis Park schools.” He served as superintendent for 24 years, from 1948 until 1972. (Today the average tenure for superintendents nationwide is 3 1/2 years.) He lead Park schools through the tumultuous…