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46-520: Summit Avenue may refer to: Summit Avenue (St. Paul) , Minnesota Summit Avenue (Hudson Palisades) , New Jersey Summit Avenue , the original name of Journal Square Transportation Center , Jersey City, New Jersey Two tram stops on the MBTA Green Line system, Massachusetts: Summit Avenue (MBTA station) , an existing station on the C branch Summit Avenue station (MBTA Green Line B branch) ,

92-669: A design based on Elizabethan English manor houses . Notably, instead of merely copying a 16th-century building the European tradition has been adapted in this case to suit a modern construction. However, perhaps the most prominent example of the Beaux-Arts style on Summit Avenue is not a house at all, but the Cathedral of Saint Paul . The Cathedral stands at one end of the Avenue, near the Hill House, and

138-516: A former station on the B branch Topics referred to by the same term [REDACTED] This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the title Summit Avenue . If an internal link led you here, you may wish to change the link to point directly to the intended article. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Summit_Avenue&oldid=961307729 " Categories : Disambiguation pages Road disambiguation pages Hidden categories: Short description

184-518: A medieval fortress. Buildings in this style were always built in brick or stone, usually roughly finished, and massive in construction. The largest and most well-known house on Summit Avenue, the James J Hill House , adheres to this style. The Hill House was built in 1891 for prominent railroad businessman James J Hill , who was key in the development of the American Northwest. Its architecture reflects

230-587: A move towards the Rectilinear style in its symmetry and blockish shape but cannot escape historicism in its medieval-inspired elements such as Gothic -like arched windows that were once fitted with stained glass. The 1912 Beebe House in comparison is much simpler and thoroughly unpretentious in its appearance, looking almost insignificant compared to the other grand houses on the avenue. The Beebe House features no ornamentation but includes extended eaves and windows arranged in banked groups, elements also distinctive of

276-713: A steeply pitched slate roof, and an entrance pavilion with a segmental arch. Another residence that reflects this style is the former house of James J Hill’s son, Louis Hill. It is distinguished by a classical style portico on its front facade with ionic columns and decorative carvings reminiscent of neoclassicism . On Summit Avenue the houses constructed in the Tudor style were not simply replicas of historical buildings but instead modern buildings featuring Tudor style elements. These Tudor elements often included decorative half-timbering , gables, prominent chimneys, patterned brickwork, and medieval-inspired steeply pitched roofs. One of

322-558: A transition from the aforementioned Italianate style to that of the newer Queen Anne. It featured characteristics of both styles such as typically Italianate porch detailing, windows and bracketing while also having a roof, balconies, and turrets that adhere more to the new style. Summit Avenue contains many houses built in the purely Queen Anne style such as the castle-like red brick Driscoll House with its conical turret and high-pitched roof spotted with many dormers and chimneys. The beautifully painted wooden “fairytale” residence at 513 Summit

368-634: Is a street in Saint Paul, Minnesota , United States, that runs east–west from Summit Avenue near downtown toward the Mississippi River . The street runs through the Summit-University and Union Park neighborhoods. The street, especially between Dale Street and Snelling Avenue , has been associated with Saint Paul's black community. The far eastern end of the street has historically been more densely developed and architecturally significant. Selby

414-539: Is different from Wikidata All article disambiguation pages All disambiguation pages Summit Avenue (St. Paul) Summit Avenue is part of two National Historic Districts and two City of Saint Paul Heritage Preservation Districts. The National Historic Districts are the Historic Hill District , an irregular area roughly bounded by Lexington Avenue, Portland Avenue, Dale Street North, Marshall Avenue, Pleasant Street, and Grand Avenue (exclusive of

460-503: Is referred to as the Second Addition to Merriam Park. Originally this portion of Selby Ave was named Mabel Avenue, and later changed to Hague Avenue. It was decided with City of St. Paul Ordinance No. 1,094, on February 7, 1889, that this portion would be renamed Selby Avenue. The 16% grade on the hill towards Selby Avenue from downtown was difficult for streetcars to climb. A complex system of counterweights helped streetcars travel up

506-580: Is the only one of these still standing, making it the oldest remaining house on Summit Avenue and one of the oldest in St. Paul. Development was slow during the American Civil War and afterward, but the district began to grow in the 1880s. City water service was provided in 1884, and a cable car line built on Selby Avenue in 1887 provided improved access to downtown. In 1890, the city's first streetcars began operating on Grand Avenue, just south of Summit, and

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552-483: Is “a mausoleum of American architectural monstrosities.” The earliest residences constructed on Summit Avenue were primarily constructed in a style commonly referred to as the “Italian Villa”. The “Italian Villa” or “ Italianate ” style was a popular style in the 1860s and 1870s and was part of the picturesque movement, which rebelled against the wide usage of classical forms in architecture. Italianate buildings in particular were largely inspired by medieval farmhouses in

598-702: The James J Hill House in 1891, this was the grandest house in Minnesota and was exemplary of the Second Empire style with its opulent details such as scrollwork and stained glass windows, and distinctive mansard-roofed tower. After the Italianate style, the next style to become widespread on Summit Avenue was the Queen Anne style . Its name is misleading as although named “Queen Anne” it bore no real resemblance to early 18th-century British architecture . Instead, this style

644-690: The 1960s and 1970s, as young couples discovered that the Victorian homes could be purchased affordably and could be restored over time. Neighborhood associations also formed and helped with preservation efforts. Summit Avenue originally began at North Robert Street but much of Summit Avenue in the Capitol Heights area was removed with the expansion of the State Capitol Mall and the construction of Interstate 94. The remaining section of Summit Avenue in that area between Cedar Street and North Robert Street

690-518: The Georgian and Tudor. Summit’s Georgian Revival houses drew on inspiration from 18th-century English architecture and were characterized by red brick two-story symmetrical facades, with equal numbers of windows on each side and flat roofs decorated with balustrades . One example of the Georgian style is the Boeckman House at 366 Summit which features eight decorated chimneys, decorative cornices ,

736-530: The Hill District became a fashionable place to live. The district began to decline in the 1930s as many old mansions either turned into rooming-houses or went vacant for many years. The housing stock was not decimated by commercial development pressure, as the bluffs separating the Summit Avenue area from downtown St. Paul made it difficult for downtown to expand into the area. The area began to turn around in

782-486: The Hill House exhibits more delicate elements as well such as its skylights and Tiffany stained glass windows, showing an interesting contrast. The Wilder Mansion that once stood at 226 Summit could similarly be classified as Romanesque Revival in style but it did not resemble the Hill House. Compared to the eclectic and rough Hill House it was much more in keeping with the picturesque movement and adhered more to historic European styles than American utilitarianism. However,

828-555: The Italian Villa style and historic photographs show that it featured brick-veneered walls, a three-story tower, and a mansard roof. However, ten years later this style was no longer considered fashionable and the house was then updated to adhere more to the then-popular Queen Anne style. Six feet were added to three sides of the houses and the roofline was completely changed so that the remodeled house looked completely unrecognizable from its original Italian Villa design. However, perhaps

874-479: The Italian countryside. Residences in this style are usually characterized by low-pitched roofs often topped with cupolas, eaves decorated by brackets, and round-headed windows with decorative moldings. Most Italianate buildings also feature a square tower and are irregular and asymmetrical in shape. The earliest residence constructed on the bluff overlooking St. Paul was the house of Edward Duffield Neill and although it

920-486: The Lightner House at 318 Summit is more similar to the Hill House and exhibits features such as large blocks of rough stone and a strong entrance arch that reflect the distinctive buildings of Richardson. The 1887 Rugg House is also Romanesque but not quite so simple with its horizontal dark-colored brickwork, peaked tile roof, and entrance arch decorated with carved sculptures. Those who built homes on Summit Avenue at

966-566: The area within the Woodland Park Historic District ), and the West Summit Avenue Historic District , a narrow area running from Oxford Street South west to the Mississippi River along Summit Avenue. The city districts are Summit Hill , also known as Crocus Hill , a triangular region from Lexington Avenue on the west, Summit Avenue on the north, and the bluffs (just north of Interstate Highway 35E ) on

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1012-666: The construction of a co-op grocery store, Mississippi Market, and restaurants opening on the other corner. These developments led to hopes that Selby Avenue would have a resurgence and become a more successful commercial strip like nearby Grand Avenue. The present day East end of Selby Avenue is home to a number of thriving businesses, including cafes, restaurants, gastropubs and boutiques, and renewed efforts to push this development West of Dale. Metro Transit Route 21 currently travels along Selby Avenue from Hamline Avenue into downtown Saint Paul. The corridor from downtown Saint Paul to Uptown, Minneapolis via Selby Avenue and Lake Street

1058-408: The corners at Selby Avenue and Dale Street were empty or vacant in 1986. The City of Saint Paul owned the lots on southwest and northeast corners of Selby and Dale in 1988 and was actively trying to sell them to a developer. The intersection of Selby and Western experienced a burst of upscale developments in the 1980s. The two empty lots on Selby and Dale were not filled in until the late 1990s with

1104-484: The demands of downtown workers and young couples there was a boom of apartment building construction in the 1920s. In the 1920s and 1930s several ill-fated automobile dealerships existed along Selby. Into the 1950s the avenue had a mix of business, homes, and apartments. Saint Paul's Jewish population briefly settled along Selby Avenue after becoming more successful before moving to Highland Park . Many stores and businesses were owned by Jewish residents along Selby. After

1150-495: The destruction of the Rondo neighborhood, caused by the construction of Interstate 94 , many of Saint Paul's black families moved south to Selby Avenue giving the Summit-University neighborhood a dramatic change in demographics. The area experienced white flight as families moved out of the area. The destruction of Old Rondo and construction of Interstate 94 partially led to Selby Avenue's decline. Highway planners also envisioned

1196-406: The distinctive work of architect Henry Hobson Richardson whose style, though historically inspired, was very versatile and stressed utilitarianism, coherence, and greater simplicity. Many common features of this uniquely American Richardsonian Romanesque are featured in the Hill House such as rough red sandstone masonry, heavy round arches, and a slate roof, all built on a massive scale. However,

1242-524: The early 1850s, when Saint Paul was in its infancy. Mansions were starting to appear on top of the hill in the earliest days of the city. An 1859 photograph by Joel Whitney shows six houses on the hill. Edward Duffield Neill owned the first house on Summit Avenue, in a location now occupied by the James J. Hill House . Continuing westward, the photo shows the houses of William and Angelina Noble, Henry F. Masterson, Henry Mower Rice , Henry Neill Paul, and David Stuart. The Stuart house, at 312 Summit Avenue,

1288-649: The famous Prairie Style which was soon to become a variant of the Rectilinear. These buildings are listed in numerical address order. Three buildings on or near Summit Avenue are National Historic Landmarks (NHLs). A number of buildings on Summit Avenue are listed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Other buildings include: Roth, Leland M. American Architecture: A History. Westview Press, 2001. 44°56′28.9″N 93°8′47.6″W  /  44.941361°N 93.146556°W  / 44.941361; -93.146556 Selby Avenue Selby Avenue

1334-469: The first houses to be built in the Tudor Villa style on Summit Avenue was the 1909 Lindeke House at 345 Summit. It is notable for having a brick first story while the contrasting upper two stories are instead of stucco -and-beam construction. At 807 Summit stands another Tudor-style residence, this one too with unusual brick and half-timbered stories and a distinctively unbalanced facade, in stark contrast to

1380-529: The hill. The Twin City Rapid Transit Company built a 1,500 foot tunnel that changed the grade to 7%. The tunnel is 15 feet high and 23 feet across. The tunnel entrance at the base of the hill is still visible and has been sealed closed. Construction of the tunnel significantly decreased travel time and caused a sudden increase in development of the neighborhood along the line. The St. Paul Curling Club has been housed on Selby since 1912. To meet

1426-430: The most characteristic example of Italianate architecture on Summit Avenue is the 1863 Burbank–Livingston–Griggs House , with its distinctive arched bay windows, bracketed cornice , and glass-enclosed cupola on the roof. Another popular style in the early years was the opulent Second Empire Style , which derives its name from the reign of Napoleon III of France (1852-1870). This style, based on Parisian buildings,

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1472-604: The need to widen Marshall Avenue and Selby Avenue after Interstate 94 met its peak carrying capacity sometime in the 1970s. The possibility of this widening and taking of homes along these streets inhibited investment along those corridors. In the 1960s and 1970s the area around Selby-Dale had some of the worst housing and street crime in Saint Paul. According to merchants, broken windows, bomb threats and slashed tires were common. During this time many businesses chose to locate on Grand Avenue or University Avenue rather than Selby. On

1518-763: The night of August 30, 1968 four policemen were shot, hundreds of youths were tear-gassed, 20 policemen were injured, 26 people were arrested, and 11 fires were set in the area after a disturbance at a music performance in Downtown Saint Paul. The event was the worst racial disturbance in Saint Paul's history. On January 13, 1969, black youth shouting "Black Power" smashed the windows of four businesses with baseball bats. The businesses never reopened and after two others business' windows were smashed they too closed. When businesses found they could no longer get insurance for their properties on Selby Avenue they moved leaving vacant storefronts. The disturbances effectively destroyed

1564-485: The south, and Ramsey Hill , the area bounded by Summit Avenue, Dale Street, Interstate Highway 94 , and a line running north from the Cathedral of St. Paul . Most of the houses in this district are large, distinctive houses built between 1890 and 1920. Summit Avenue was named one of 10 "great streets" nationally by the American Planning Association in 2008. The history of Summit Avenue dates back to

1610-684: The symmetry of the Georgian Revival. While other houses continued to draw inspiration from history a comparatively more modern style also took root on Summit Avenue, the Rectilinear Style. In this style, the architectural form moves away from previous irregular and fantastical forms and towards a more rectangular shape. Houses of this style often feature elements such as overhanging eaves and casement windows but have little applied ornamentation and are relatively unpretentious when compared to other styles. The Dittenhofer house at 705 Summit exhibits

1656-617: The turn of the century wanted to exude a certain sense of culture, and employed the Beaux-Arts style based on an appreciation of the tradition of European architecture. On Summit Avenue the most popular form was the Italian Renaissance palazzo style, like the 1894 Scott residence at 340 Summit, which resembles a Renaissance palace. Another example of the Beaux-Arts style on Summit Avenue is the Davidson House at 344 Summit which features

1702-425: The viability of the commercial strip to the benefit of neighboring streets. Saint Paul City Council member Bill Wilson attempted to rename the street after Roy Wilkins in the fall of 1982. In 1980, the area had a mix of low-income, blue-collar and middle- to upper-class professionals, of which 56% rented. Twenty percent of residents lived below the poverty line and 44% of residents were black with 43% white. Three of

1748-606: Was also constructed in this style and features a large porch and a fanciful turret. One of the best-preserved Queen Anne Style houses on the Avenue is the Shipman-Greve House at 445 Summit. This unique limestone house exhibits half-timbering and decorative Japanese-inspired latticework on the porch. A variant of the Queen Anne style commonly known as the “ Shingle Style ” can be seen in Summit’s 1884 Noyes House. This Shingle Style

1794-655: Was also published on an 1857 map published by Goodrich & Somers called "Map of the City of Saint Paul". A cable car line was built from Downtown Saint Paul to Selby and St. Albans in 1887. It opened January 16, 1888. The line traveled along Broadway, Fourth, and Third streets before climbing the bluff and traveling along Selby. The line was extended to Fairview Avenue in 1890. In the 1890s, Selby Avenue outshone Grand Avenue with many more large buildings, commercial buildings, apartments and duplexes. The portion of Selby Avenue between Fairview Avenue and Cleveland Avenue, lies in what

1840-656: Was designed by Emmanuel Masqueray , a former student at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts . Its design was heavily modeled on the baroque St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and follows the traditional Greek Cross floor plan with many baroque-inspired flourishes. The Cathedral’s most distinctive characteristic is its 306 and a half-foot dome, inspired by those of Bramante and Michaelangelo . In addition to houses inspired by classical and medieval buildings Summit Avenue also featured residences that drew on historically English styles such as

1886-506: Was fantastical in appearance featuring columns and pediments, peaked, high-pitched roofs, and profuse decorative elements such as dormer windows, gables, bays, porches, balconies, and turrets. In addition, this style almost always includes a wrap-around porch and either a round or polygonal corner tower coming out of the spire-like roof. Such houses were constructed using materials such as stone, slate, brick, wood, shingles, and half-timbering. Summit Avenue’s lost 1882 Barnum House once exhibited

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1932-418: Was first named in 1854 as part of Dayton and Irvine's Addition. The street was named after Jeremiah W. Selby, who owned a farm on St. Anthony Hill, the present location of the Cathedral of Saint Paul . Selby paid $ 50 per acre for his 40-acre farm in 1847. Henry Mower Rice scoffed at Selby buying a plot of land so removed from Downtown Saint Paul, swampy and inaccessible due to the river bluff. The street name

1978-534: Was razed in 1886 surviving photographs show that the bracketed limestone house was built according to this style. Another early house, the 1863 Emerson House at 378 Summit, was also built in this style and its facade was quite similar to that of the Neill House, with limestone walls and fashionably ornate window hoods. A house originally constructed in 1875, the Cutler House at 360 Summit, was originally constructed in

2024-549: Was renamed Thirteenth Street and was itself later renamed Columbus Street in 1953. Frank Lloyd Wright , noted as "the greatest American architect of all time" by AIA, claimed that Summit Avenue is "the worst collection of architecture in the world." This was in part due to the imposing scale of the buildings, but mainly because Summit Avenue architecture copied design styles from Europe, rather than attempting to find an original American aesthetic. F. Scott Fitzgerald disliked Summit Avenue as well, stating that Summit Avenue

2070-579: Was similar to the Queen Anne but was constructed with wood shingling on every surface, giving these buildings an irregular texture. Another popular style of architecture on Summit Avenue was the “ Romanesque Revival ”. This style was characterized by powerful medieval design motifs, particularly inspired by those of the Romanesque period (800-1150). Such medieval-inspired elements often include corner towers, steeply pitched roofs, and heavy arches around doorways and windows, making these buildings often resemble

2116-470: Was very similar in style to the Italianate but featured a distinctly different roof style. This most defining characteristic was the pyramidal mansard roof , inspired by those of 17th-century French architect Francois Mansart . Summit Avenue once possessed a very fine Second Empire style home, the Kittson Mansion, which occupied the spot of the current Cathedral of Saint Paul . Before the construction of

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