White Bear Lake in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Original Townsite Plat of White Bear Lake

Photographed by McGhiever, August 10, 2015

1. The Original Townsite Plat of White Bear Lake marker

Inscription. The summer of 1971 marked the centennial anniversary of the original townsite plat of White Bear Lake. During the 1860's officials of the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad purchased the land which was to become the nucleus of the village of White Bear Lake. Gates A. Johnson, a company surveyor platted a townsite at this location in July of 1871 under the direction of Frank Clark, president of the line, and Jacob Stewart, its agent.

Thereafter this plat governed the form and growth of what is now the central portion of the city. The basic plan, which divided most residential blocks into plots measuring 75 by 150 feet, provided spacious lots for summer cottages and permanent abodes. The owners of blocks 46 and 62 reserved them for resort hotels.

This plat designated street and avenue names and allowed for roadways 60 feet wide. Two exceptions were Stewart Avenue, which measured 90 feet wide, and Clark Avenue, which was 150 feet wide. Track routes for the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad and the Stillwater and St. Paul Railroad were laid out as well.

With commendable vision, the city planners preserved

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the lands along the lake between Fourth and Seventh Streets as public parks. Similarly, the roads were dedicated to public use. Established in an orderly and farsighted manner with this townsite plat, White Bear Lake grew as a resort and residential community.

Erected 1971 by White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 45° 5.101′ N, 93° 0.621′ W. Marker is in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is on U.S. 61 south of 4th Street, on the right when traveling south. On the north end of the White Bear Lake Depot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4751 Highway 61 N, Saint Paul MN 55110, 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,

White Bear Lake Depot, with marker just visible on far right image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, August 10, 2015

2. White Bear Lake Depot, with marker just visible on far right

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: White Bear Lake Civil War Memorial (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); White Bear Lake Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); Fillebrown House (approx. 0.4 miles away); American Indian Mounds (approx. 0.4 miles away); Historic Lake Avenue (approx. half a mile away); White Bear Lake / The Dakota Legend of White Bear Lake (approx. half a mile away); Erd-Geist Gazebo (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Bear Lake.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 5, 2019. It was originally submitted on February 3, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 721 times since then and 60 times this year. Last updated on June 5, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 3, 2019, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.