Cathedral Hill in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

St. Joseph's Academy

Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2019

1. St. Joseph's Academy marker

Inscription. St. Joseph's Academy, the oldest Catholic educational institution in Minnesota, was founded in 1851 by four Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, two hundred years after the order's founding in Le Puy, France. Leaving the mother house in St. Louis at the invitation of Bishop Joseph Cretin, the nuns believed they were to start an Indian mission; instead; they established a school dedicated to their patron saint. The first classes were held in the vestry of Father Lucien Galtier's log chapel of St. Paul from which the city took its name. A year later the school was moved into a two-story brick building; in 1859, requiring larger quarters, it was relocated on the present site of St. Joseph's Hospital.

By 1863 the academy was moved to this location. The original structure (the southwest section of this complex) is thought to be the oldest remaining Catholic schoolhouse in the state. Built of yellow limestone from local quarries, its style may be classified as "Italianate." There have been four additions to the original academy which was chiefly a boarding school until about 1870 when the growth of the city improved transportation facilities. Today the institution is a day high school for girls.

Erected 1966

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by the City Planning Board of St. Paul.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Education • Settlements & Settlers • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 44° 56.899′ N, 93° 6.926′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Cathedral Hill. It is on Marshall Avenue east of Western Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Marker is mid-block, inside the property's fence. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 355 Marshall Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Frank Boyd (about 600 feet away,

St. Joseph's Academy marker and surroundings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, May 29, 2019

2. St. Joseph's Academy marker and surroundings

measured in a direct line); Boyd Park (about 600 feet away); F. Scott Fitzgerald Birthplace (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cathedral of Saint Paul (approx. 0.3 miles away); Cathedral of Saint Paul Cornerstone (approx. 0.3 miles away); Thomas Cochran Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); McQuillan Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Summit–Selby Neighborhood (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Also see . . . St. Joseph's Academy on Wikipedia. (Submitted on June 4, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.)

St. Joseph's Academy and marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, December 8, 2012

3. St. Joseph's Academy and marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 4, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 766 times since then and 44 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 4, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.