Listen closely to the tale of Frogtown. It is a neighborhood with a name that might make you chuckle. But its history is no joke.
Frogtown in Saint Paul, Minnesota is more than just a funny name. It is a place rich with immigrant stories and transformation.
The story of Frogtown begins in the mid-19th century. Downtown St. Paul was growing. People needed places to live. So they moved north.
This area was swampy. Frogs were everywhere. German immigrants called it Froschburg. That means Frog City. Archbishop John Ireland may have also remarked on the frogs. Thus the name Frogtown stuck.
The St. Paul and Pacific Railroad was built near Frogtown. It offered jobs. Polish, German, Irish, and Scandinavian immigrants came. They built homes. They made Frogtown their own. Minnesota’s first successful locomotive even ran on these tracks in 1882.
University Avenue became Frogtown’s main street. Streetcars connected St. Paul and Minneapolis. Businesses thrived along this route. The Ford Building at 117 W. University is one of the oldest commercial buildings still standing.
The Church of St. Agnes is a Frogtown landmark. Its Baroque spire has been an icon since 1912.
Highway 94 changed Frogtown. It replaced University Avenue as the main route. The Rondo neighborhood was destroyed. Many African American families moved north to Frogtown.
Frogtown continued to welcome newcomers. Vietnamese, Somali, and Latino immigrants arrived. They added to the neighborhood’s character. Halal meat markets and pho noodle restaurants opened.
Today, Frogtown is still a diverse community. You can find many cultures here. Hmongtown Marketplace is a Hmong-American mall. Little Mekong is a Hmong business corridor.
The METRO Green Line serves Frogtown. It runs along University Avenue. This line connects Frogtown to the rest of the Twin Cities.
Frogtown’s story is one of constant change. It is a story of immigrants making a home. It is a story of community. It is a story still being written. Remember Frogtown. It is more than just a name. It is a living history.