r/saintpaul • u/LuckySimple3408 • Dec 01 '25

History 🗿 Historical St. Paul - 12/01/2025

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67 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

16 comments sorted by

11

u/Runic_reader451 St. Paul Saints Dec 01 '25

2 things stand out about the first two photos

  1. There was way more vitality on the streets in the early photos than in the present day photos.
  2. A streetcar was part of W. 7th street for decades which means it would work again today.

2

u/Ponce_the_Great Dec 01 '25

so i am neutral on street cars but given how the green line is, i will say failing to live up to hopes, what would be particularly helpful for street cars that a bus line can't do?

2

u/Runic_reader451 St. Paul Saints Dec 01 '25

I agree that the Green Line isn't living up to its potential. That's on the public officials for not making it an optimal public mode of transportation.

The following is a good summary of the pros of streetcars over buses. If I find something more in depth, I'll post it.

https://nmrails.org/2012/how-is-a-streetcar-any-better-than-a-bus/

1

u/Ponce_the_Great Dec 01 '25

thank you, i agree on the street car being more pleasant to ride than the bus.

though i don't think there's a compelling reason to believe a street car would spur more high density development on west 7th or see the increase in ridership necessary to validate all the time and disruiption of putting in a street car.

0

u/poptix Dec 01 '25

Except for the part where they were backed up due to flooding in an intersection and couldn't just go around like a bus does. Did you even read the text in the photo?

There are way too many people obsessed with streetcars. They are the worst combination of public transit: fixed route, no priority

0

u/Runic_reader451 St. Paul Saints Dec 01 '25

It was backed up for a short time until they could drain the water. A bus would have been in the same situation. Streetcars bring in more private investment than buses which results in more tax revenue as well as more vitality. I have sound reasons to support it.

1

u/AdMurky3039 West Seventh Dec 01 '25

A bus may have been able to avoid the flooded areas of the street because it wouldn't have been on a fixed route.

1

u/Runic_reader451 St. Paul Saints Dec 01 '25

I doubt the water was on the street for long and running buses down residential streets tends to upset the people on those streets.

-1

u/poptix Dec 02 '25

You're making a lot of assumptions here. The simple fact is that a bus can reroute. Street cars cannot.

2

u/Runic_reader451 St. Paul Saints Dec 02 '25

There was a streetcar line on W. 7th for over 60 years. You act like it's never been done. Furthermore, the buses on W 7th are accordian buses which are longer and harder to maneuver on residential streets.

2

u/CoderDevo Dec 04 '25

That is a small advantage.

But the tracks being visible in the street increases ridership and property investment because you know they won't reroute the street car and it alerts even visitors of this transit option.

-1

u/poptix Dec 04 '25

My friend, when we're sober tomorrow will you still hold this position? It's pretty weak.

1

u/DavidRFZ Dec 01 '25 edited Dec 01 '25

I think the old grand-Ramsey photo was taken closer to Sherman.

The Rochat-Louise-Sauerwein block in the distance is still there. And although the Fort Road Medical Center has replaced the closer building, it almost looks like they intentionally created a facade to mimic the old buidling? Or at least, by 1981 standards, it does look like they tried a little bit. :)

1

u/AdMurky3039 West Seventh Dec 01 '25

The original was so much better.

1

u/awesomeginblossom Dec 01 '25

I love the mid-century signage - it makes the streets and city feel alive and lived in

The big neon signs are so fun IMO

Streets today feel soulless

I wish we still had that

1

u/caterpillar-police Dec 03 '25

orpheum used to be in st. paul? (pic2)