Saint Paul

Saint Paul is the capital of Minnesota, situated along the upper Mississippi River across from Minneapolis.

Ecolab manufactures commercial sanitation detergents, institutional disinfectant chemicals, and automated water-filtration systems designed to prevent bacterial contamination in food processing plants and commercial hospitality facilities. Pearson's Candy Company produces chocolate nut confections and marshmallow sweets under the Salted Nut Roll and Nut Goodie brand names, and Summit Brewing Company brews bottled craft beers including Extra Pale Ale. Securian Financial Group provides individual term life insurance, employer group accident protections, and retirement investment annuity contracts for corporate business clients.

The Cathedral of Saint Paul rises on Cathedral Hill with a copper dome designed in the early 20th century by architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray. Minnesota State Capitol displays a marble dome and Georgian marble walls completed in the early 20th century under plans by architect Cass Gilbert. Landmark Center hosts chamber music concerts inside a turreted stone edifice completed in the late 19th century. Science Museum of Minnesota presents dinosaur fossil skeletons and interactive experiment galleries on Mississippi riverfront bluffs.

A river trading post emerged in the late 1830s when tavern keeper Pierre Parrant arrived near Fountain Cave. Father Lucien Galtier built a log chapel dedicated to the Apostle Paul in 1841, inspiring residents to rename their river landing Saint Paul. Saint Paul became the capital of the Minnesota Territory in 1849, anchoring government functions along the upper Mississippi. Steamboats docked by the hundreds during the 1850s to unload pioneer families and merchandise at the head of river navigation. James J. Hill developed the Great Northern Railway in the late 19th century, connecting local freight yards with Pacific ocean ports.