West Side Flats

The West Side Flats of Saint Paul stretch to the right of the river in this photo. Harriet Island lies in the foreground. The Wabasha Street Bridge, just visible around the bend, links the West Side to downtown.

Photo by Gabe Ormsby © Friends of the Mississippi River

Site submitted by: Steve Lee

Location

River Mile 839.50 — Right Descending Bank

Significance

History
Geography

Description

Between Wabasha, Robert, Plato, and the river are the "West Side Flats," undergoing redevelopment into an "Urban Village" starting with the $75 million U.S. Bancorp office and service center and 190 housing units. (RT. 18 Jan 2002)

Pogroms in Russia in the 1880's caused mass migrations of Jews to America. The West Side Flats were a center for newly arrived Jewish immigrants to Minnesota. This community was gradually replaced by Chicanos in the 1920's. As with the upper levee neighborhood, the city was reluctant to spend money on flood control for substandard homes, and the lower west side was cleared for the Riverview Industrial Park (Hesterman, Paul). Increasing prosperity, desire to escape periodic flooding, and finally, industrial development of the flats in the 1960's moved this community elsewhere (RT. 14 Aug 2002. p. 1, 9). American Hoist and Derrick (Amhoist) operated a heavy manufacturing facility here for many years.

Content © 2005 Friends of the Mississippi River and each item's authors.
The Mississippi River Field Guide is provided by Friends of the Mississippi River.
www.fmr.org