Dayton's Bluff in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

3M & World War II: The People

The People of 3M

Photographed by McGhiever, June 26, 2019

1. 3M & World War II: The People marker

Inscription.
In July 1941, 3M had 3,133 employees spread among 4 plants and 13 branches and warehouses. There were 1,639 employees in the Saint Paul factory, 372 in the Saint Paul office, and 143 in the Saint Paul research labs. At the end of the war in August 1945, 3M had 7,046 employees.

As the war progressed, over 2,000 3M employees, both men and women, joined the Armed Forces.
Caption: 3Mers and brothers James, Howard & Roy Jackson served in the Armed Forces during World War II.

To meet the needs of wartime production, 3M greatly increased its workforce. Of necessity, it recruited women and older men. Many of these workers had husbands, brothers, and sons in the Armed Forces. They went to work to replace those who were in the military. Women became laboratory assistants for the first time in 1942.

The Saint Paul factory went to three 8-hour shifts, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Wages and working conditions were controlled by federal wartime regulations. Labor unions wanted to organize the workers. The Congress of Industrial Organizations (C.I.O.) was officially recognized in 1944.

The company encouraged employees to buy War Bonds. By 1944, 90 percent participated with 10 percent of their wages.

Jeanie Steele went to work in the tape packing department after her son enlisted in the Navy. She was an eager participant in the War Bond purchase program.

Erected by Saint

Paid Advertisement

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Paul Port Authority, Historic Saint Paul, 3M, United States Environmental Protection Agency. (Marker Number WM-11.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 44° 57.888′ N, 93° 3.783′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Dayton's Bluff. It is on Bush Avenue west of Forest Street North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 777 Forest Street N, Saint Paul MN 55106, 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: Cornerstones & Time Capsules (within

Marker in front of the 1940 3M Administration Building image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 26, 2019

2. Marker in front of the 1940 3M Administration Building

shouting distance of this marker); The 3M Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker); Explosion: 3M Response to Disaster (within shouting distance of this marker); 3M & World War II: The Products (within shouting distance of this marker); "Scotch" Tape to the Rescue of General Gray (within shouting distance of this marker); Innovations from the Saint Paul Campus (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 3M & the Community (about 300 feet away); Working Women at 3M (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2020, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 494 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 11, 2020, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.