The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-09-27
St. Paul and its Increase.

10 form an adequate conception of the
unexampled rapidity in the increase OF our
city in wealth and prosperity, business and
Importance, we are required to go back a
period of seven years, when yet in its in
fancy and swadling clothes of its greatness
Even now, we may say, it has but emerged
from an embryotic state to expand in pro-
portion and magnitude, rivallng many of
its justly-famed Eastern contemporaries.
From the organization of Territory, in
l849, at which time ST. Paul contained 800
inhabitants, most Of whom, however, were
halfbrceds, with some traders carrying on
thriving and profitable trade with the In
dams, and such whites as may have made
this Territory of Lakes their home, may
we date the foundation and origin of the
present city. Rude log and frame houses,
scattered at irregular intervals over the three
! terraces of plateau which form the site of
our city, alone evidenced the existence oi
humanity, tokencd its transition from a
semi -barbaric state, or formed as it were
the nucleus of great and powerful city. In
this year commenced steady emigration
from the East of men of influence and char
acter, citizens of enterprise and ability.
Steamers, which before had not visited
the place, save at long intervals of absence,
now often saluted the sight while again
and again echoed the shrill whistle amid the
silent bluffs or foated over the calm waters
of this Upper Mississippi.
The subsequent three years ushered in a
mighty change, inasmuch as at the close o1
1853 few traces of its earlier habitations
were left most of the original inhabitants
had departed for a more congenial atmos-
phere among the wilds of the Far West, and
the little village which, with its log cabins,
nestled in all simplicity upon its elevated
position, had widely expanded its limits
and burst forth into the consequence of a
city busting with all the life, energy and en-
tcrprise attending the transition. The por-
ulation had already increased to 4, 500 inhab-
itants, while handsome, elegant and taste
full mansions and cottages usurped the places
formerly occupied by the settlers first cabin
and the pioneers first home.
Although in this time it had so greatly
increased, the succeeding years up to the
present witnessed quite as striking and ra-
dical a change. Business, which had been
conducted on loose and irregular principles,
has become thoroughly systcmatized. The
surrounding country, which had been thinly
peopled, has become almost thickly inhabit-
ed, requiring among our merchants agreater
extension of business to afford the necessary
requirements Of trade.
Some of our business houses, lately con-
structed, rival in extent, elegance and taste
Of the interior, any similar establishments
this side of Chicago. Our streets have been
and are being enlarged, graded and improv-
ed. A Levee is being constructed, which,
when finished, will compete with any SINH
lar improvement on the river.
Many substantial stores and houses have
been and are in course of erection. The
city, we may safely say, has tripled in size
and extent. Property has advanced several
hundred per cent, and the population, keep
ing pace with all improvements and progress,
now is supposed to number 10000 inhabi-
tants. In the spring our Levee is perfectly
crowded with goods discharged from the
many boats which navigate our waters,
while at all times the greatest activity is
reigning.
Learning has not been neglected, and our
college buildings are in a forward state o.
completion. A stranger visiting our city
can hardly conceive that such has been tht
result of but seven years, and as he passe.
in his perigrinations over the different part
Of our city, is struck with ,astonishment a
the improvements now going on-the Impos
ling edifices being reared, the great activit.
Ireigning, and the energy displayed. Los