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

The James J. Hill Reference Library

James J. Hill · (1838-1916)

Photographed by Keith L, April 29, 2011

1. The James J. Hill Reference Library Marker

Inscription.

The Hill Reference Library opened in 1921 as a living gift to the people of Saint Paul from railroad pioneer James J. Hill. By building the Great Northern Railway's transcontinental line to Seattle in 1893, Hill played a central role in the settling of towns and cities, the expansion of agriculture, the growth of industry, and the development of international trade.

Architect Electus D. Litchfield designed the pink Tennessee marble building to house both Hill's Library and the public library. The Italian Renaissance style building is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Hill Library is open to the public and specializes in business reference services.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Education. A significant historical year for this entry is 1921.

Location. 44° 56.637′ N, 93° 5.796′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of West 4th Street and North Market Street on West 4th Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 80 West 4th Street, 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: George Latimer Central Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Street Methodist Episcopal Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Legacy of Leadership

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(within shouting distance of this marker); Hans O. Nyman Energy Center (within shouting distance of this marker); The Saint Paul Public Library (within shouting distance of this marker); Rice Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Do you believe in miracles? Herb Brooks did. (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Giants populate the earth (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Also see . . . James J. Hill. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 6, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

The James J. Hill Reference Library and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, April 29, 2011

2. The James J. Hill Reference Library and Marker

The James J. Hill Reference Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, April 29, 2011

3. The James J. Hill Reference Library

National Register of Historic Places #75001017

Photographed by Keith L, April 29, 2011

4. Plaque

The James Jerome Hill Reference Library has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior · Electus D. Litchfield, Architect · 1916

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,272 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.