Cities and Towns | Page 25

Aerial view of the West Side of St. Paul during flooding

Aerial view of the West Side of St. Paul during flooding, 1952.

Children playing softball at the playground of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church

Children playing softball at the playground of Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) Church on St. Paul’s West Side, ca. 1950. At the time, the church stood at the corner of Concord Street (later Cesar Chavez Street) and South Andrew Street.

Brown Berets marching with flags

Brown Berets marching in a Mexican Celebration Parade, St. Paul, 1972. They carry the American flag; the “La Causa” flag of the Chicano movement; and a statue of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

Chicano Movement in Westside St. Paul

When migrant workers from Mexico began to look for homes in Minnesota in the mid-twentieth century, many joined a growing enclave in Westside St. Paul. In spite of challenges, they sought opportunities to create a strong community and build a brighter future. They saw the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and 1970s as a means to that end.

Rice, Henry Mower (1816‒1894)

As a trader, businessman, treaty negotiator, and legislator, Henry Mower Rice played a crucial role in Minnesota’s statehood and the development of St. Paul. At the same time, Rice was responsible for policies that benefited himself and his business partners at the expense of Minnesota’s Indigenous populations.