2021 Vol 15, Issue 3 May Gem Lake News

Home

Gem Lake News Page 3 of 6 Gem Lake’s Colorful History in a Nutshell (continued from page 2) Resorts sprung up around White Bear Lake from the modern city of the same name east to present- day Mahtomedi, a native name that likewise translates to “White Bear”. After two world wars, the area formerly known for its resorts became a popular destination for those who wished to live outside of urban St. Paul. In the early 1950s a company that originated along the north shore of Lake Superior brought its corporate headquarters to Maplewood, roughly six miles south of White Bear. Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing, or 3M, grew from a maker of sandpaper to a multitude of household and industrial products and many of its executives drove along White Bear Avenue or East Road (later McKnight Road, taking its name from 3M’s first chief executive) from their offices to their homes in White Bear Lake. These roads brought many others to both White Bear Township and White Bear Lake. Their arrival, however, taxed the capacity of the township’s government to provide services such as city water and sewer. Taking cues from White Bear Lake’s 1881 decision to incorporate their own city, other places such as Vadnais Heights and North Oaks voted to separate from White Bear Township. White Bear Lake also extended its borders into land formerly governed by the Township. Part of this land included areas west of US Highway 61, in what is now Gem Lake. Gem Lake was unique among the areas that were transforming from township to city governments. The eastern portions of Gem Lake were occupied by farmers, many of French-Canadian descent. Around the water body Gem Lake itself, families with ties to St. Paul businesses lived on large acre estates. Other estate owners owned large farms or even served in important US governmental offices. Given the closeness of the farmers and their wealthier neighbors, many of the barriers that might naturally separate two economic classes were often ignored. Farmers looking for extra spending money frequently performed carpentry or repair tasks needed by their wealthy neighbors. Some of those farmers even aided in local fox hunts that were popular amongst the business owners. During one of White Bear Lake’s land annexation moves, the residents of Gem lake took exception (continued page 5) America’s boundaries and settle in land that would become Minnesota. Minnesota occupied a unique portion of the North American continent. Land east of the Mississippi River was originally included with the area ceded to the new United States upon the conclusion of its War for Independence from Great Britain in 1783. Land west of the Mississippi had been purchased by President Thomas Jefferson from the French under Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Upon statehood, Minnesota welcomed all who dared to brave the cold winters and relatively short growing season to farm its land and harvest its natural resources. St. Paul was its capitol, and the local farmers were well positioned to provide food and dairy products to its growing population. The journey from White Bear Township along early roads to markets in St. Paul were often an all-day outing. In the early 1870s the railroad arrived, cutting hours from the journey and making commerce between the Township and the city much easier. The 1880s saw new cities growing up around St. Paul, similar to satellites orbiting a planet. White Bear Lake broke away from the Township to establish a village in 1881. South of White Bear, North St. Paul followed a similar path a few years later. Many times, the arrival of the railroad made such villages possible. Transportation is a key factor in determining where and when settlement occurs. Hoffman’s Corner area at Highway 61 and County Road E in the late 1940’s. The dawn of the 20th Century saw continued growth in St. Paul. Those with the means to travel, looked to White Bear as a place for recreation and relaxation away from urban congestion.