African American Settlement in Rondo
The area in St. Paul near the Mississippi River and downtown has historically been the first home to many new arrivals to Minnesota due to its proximity to job opportunities and reasonable rent prices. African Americans settled in this area along with immigrants from Ireland, Norway, Sweden, and Germany.
In the early 1900s, after a large number of German Jews moved to St. Paul's Highland Park, African Americans were able to expand north and west along a street named Rondo, from Rice to Lexington. By 1930, the population of the area was almost 50% black.
In 1927, famed Minnesotan and civil rights leader Roy Wilkins, was inspired to proclaim:
"The colored people of St. Paul live in one of the city's best locations. It is near the downtown shopping area, it is convenient to both cities...it has its streets well-lined with beautiful trees..." and it is "...a riot of warm colors, feelings, and sounds...It seethes with the pulsating beauty of the lives of its people who feel intensely every emotion which stirs their being."
African Americans in Minnesota by David Vassar Taylor, page 78
In the early 1900s, after a large number of German Jews moved to St. Paul's Highland Park, African Americans were able to expand north and west along a street named Rondo, from Rice to Lexington. By 1930, the population of the area was almost 50% black.
In 1927, famed Minnesotan and civil rights leader Roy Wilkins, was inspired to proclaim:
"The colored people of St. Paul live in one of the city's best locations. It is near the downtown shopping area, it is convenient to both cities...it has its streets well-lined with beautiful trees..." and it is "...a riot of warm colors, feelings, and sounds...It seethes with the pulsating beauty of the lives of its people who feel intensely every emotion which stirs their being."
African Americans in Minnesota by David Vassar Taylor, page 78