Como Park Carousel

Here's some information about the fabulous Carousel that can be found in Como Park at the Conservatory. I loved listening to the music and watching the horses streak by. All that was missing was the boardwalk under my feet, a piece of saltwater taffy and an ocean breeze. Enjoy.


Who Built the Carousel?... Cafesjian's Carousel was built in 1914 by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, and is known as PTC 33 because it's the 33rd machine they made. The company employed many German immigrants to do most of the carving and painting. The word "toboggan" in the company's name is an old term for roller-coaster, which was the company's original product.

Size and Weight...The carousel is 50 feet across at the platform and 54 feet at the upper rim. It weighs 30 tons, all of which is supported by the center pole.

The Carousel's Name...The carousel is named for Gerard L. Cafesjian, the man who contributed most generously to rescuing it from auction, restoring it and building its new pavilion.

At the intersection of Grand and Cambridge is the ACE hardware store. It recently changed hands and sadly, the cats that used to live there (yes, the cats lived inside the hardware store) are now gone. The mural on the side remains, however and brightens up the neighborhood.


I also love the antique sign outside.



But even better is that my favorite, the ballet school, is still upstairs above the hardware store. The ballerinas, most likely pre-teens and weighing in at under 100 pounds each, sound like a herd of elephants on the hardware store ceiling while their classes are in session. There's just nothing like picking out new fuses to the sound of a gaggle of pre-teen ballerina's practicing their jete grands. Where else could you do that? Lord, I love St. Paul. Full of flavor!

Grand Avenue & Cambridge St.

A charming intersection near Macalester houses the new location for the Italian Pie Shoppe. Yum!

In my opinion, this is by far the ugliest building in St. Paul. I call it The Bathtub Building because the outside of it looks like the inside of a hideous, industrial bathroom. I believe it's mostly offices but it also houses an Applebees. Fitting, I think.

Porky's on University

Straight from the Citysearch editorial:

The Scene
The sign, with the tall top-hatted pig, stands as a defiant porcine reminder that the drive-in will never die. This place seems like it should have carhops, but instead, patrons either motor through the drive-thru or stroll inside and order at the counter. On weekends, classic cars and Harleys hang out here.

The Food
The menu is back-to-the-basics 1950s drive-in fare: burgers, fish sandwiches, chicken, fries, rings and shakes. If you want a bit of everything, get the Cruiser's Combo--a single burger, two pieces of chicken, three big onion rings, an order of fries and a cup of fresh-tasting slaw. The chicken is dark-battered, crumbly and peppery, but the Twin burger, Porky's version of the Big Mac (double burger with cheese, lettuce and the slightest slick of dressing) is a favorite. Ask for extra ketchup and mustard with the twin--it's good, but you'll want to juice it up

A summer storm is rolling into St. Paul and the sky looks amazing!!!!

Stogies on Grand

I believe this may have been my first trip inside a real humidor. Pretty impressive even though, like a typical girl, I find cigars stinky and intrusive. But the guys working there were really nice and helped my husband find just the right cigar for him; being that he's not a big cigar smoker.

The Vulcans on Grand Old Day

The Vulcans are at every St. Paul parade.








Here a Vulcan pledge (who will remain incognito until the unveiling during Winter Carnival) paints a V on a parade goers face.

Grand Ole Day

Beautiful day. Enormous crowd. Spectacular people watching.

This festival is 33 years old, and one of the largest festivals in the midwest. There is live music, beer gardens, a variety of booths and a parade.

The Blair Arcade

The very heart of the Selby and Western intersection is The Blair Arcade. It hosts apartments and a variety of businesses including a coffee shop, a restaurant and my favorite salon!