Swede Hollow: A Patchwork of Cultures, Struggles, and Resilience

Explore the rollercoaster history of Swede Hollow, the Saint Paul neighborhood that went from immigrant haven to urban legend! 🎢🌆✨

✅ Listen to Swede Hollow: A Patchwork of Cultures, Struggles, and Resilience on our podcast. We release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe and listen on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Quick Summary: Swede Hollow

Discover the incredible journey of Swede Hollow, a once neglected neighborhood in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

From immigrant hub to slum to urban green space
Its transformation into today’s Swede Hollow Park
How it’s captured imaginations through music, opera, and literature 🎶📚

Swede Hollow has an incredible history. It's truly the fabric of St. Paul, Minnesota. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton. — *Swede Hollow has an incredible history. It’s truly the fabric of St. Paul, Minnesota. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

Swede Hollow: The Melting Pot of St. Paul

Swede Hollow, located on the East Side of St. Paul, Minnesota, is not just another spot on the map. It’s a place that’s woven together like a patchwork quilt of cultures! 🌍 From Swedes and Poles to Italians and Mexicans, this hidden gem was a multicultural haven…and it has a fascinating history!

Hey, Kitty here! My hubby Jack and I have been traveling musicians and filmmakers for 20 years, mostly rocking around the Midwest. 🎸 Born in Minneapolis and now in Winona, we’re as Midwest as hotdish. Wrote some Amazon best-sellers, host a daily podcast, and travel blog all about this fab region. Trust us, we’re your Midwest travel gurus! Hehe. 🗺️💕

Ready to go on a journey through Swede Hollow, a little pocket of Saint Paul, Minnesota with a big story to tell? Awesome! 🎉

Once a bustling immigrant neighborhood, it’s now a tranquil park. But don’t be fooled! Its past is a wild mix of cultures, from Swedes to Italians to Mexicans. 🌍 A walk here is like a stroll through time, full of twists, turns, and a rollercoaster of ups and downs. 🎢 Trust us, this is one Minnesota chapter you won’t wanna skip!

A Journey Through Time

Travel back to 1841 and you’d find Edward Phelan, the first settler in this area. Jump to the 1850s, and the Swedes were making themselves at home. They even gave it the name Svenska Dalen, or “the Swedish Valley.” 🏞️ The Italians and Mexicans also added their own flavor in due time.

*Life in Swede Hollow was rough. Immigrants from Sweden, Italy and Mexico all came to the area in search for a better life for their families. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

Not All Roses

But hold on! It wasn’t all cultural harmony and cozy households. Swede Hollow was, frankly, a slum. The folks living here had to scavenge for building materials and clothing. 😬 Imagine no electricity or proper plumbing, even in the 20th century!

Gritty Realities

The residents of Swede Hollow were survivors. Despite the poverty and rough conditions, the community stuck together. They made do with what they had. Shoes patched up from scraps, and water sourced from Phelan Creek, which sadly, was also their sewer. 🛠️

*Tragedy strikes! In 1956, the City of St. Paul burned Swede Hollow homes to the ground weeks before Christmas. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

The Fiery End

The clock struck midnight for Swede Hollow in 1956. Citing horrendous living conditions, the city forcibly removed families and set the place ablaze. 💔 Only 14 families were left at that time, their homes reduced to ashes right before Christmas.

*You can visit Swede Hollow Park today. It has transformed itself over the years, but the heart and soul of this area will always be about community. Digital art by Jack and Kitty Norton.*

Rebirth and Renaissance

Today, Swede Hollow Park is a lush green space. 🌳 Transformed in 1976, it went from being a dumping ground to a welcoming nature center. A far cry from its slum past, but a testament to resilience and transformation.

Swede Hollow’s Cultural Imprint

The story doesn’t stop there! This incredible place inspired music, opera, and even a series of novels. 📚🎶 From Peter Ostroushko’s haunting “Swede Hollow Lament” to an opera and books that recount its rich history, Swede Hollow is immortalized in the arts. Heck, even ABBA has been influenced by Swede Hollow. But you’ll have to listen to today’s related podcast episode for that full story! Hehe.

Grab a free mp3 of Kitty singing ABBA's "Dancing Queen" — **Click here** to grab your free audio!

Swede Hollow: A Living Legacy

Though the neighborhood is gone, its spirit lives on. It’s more than just a park; it’s a muse, an inspiration. 🌟 Whether you’re a nature lover or a history buff, Swede Hollow is a chapter of Minnesota’s past you won’t want to skip.

Here’s to the untold stories and hidden gems that make every journey unforgettable. Safe travels! 🥂

✅ Don’t miss out! Listen to today’s podcast episode, Swede Hollow: A Patchwork of Cultures, Struggles, and Resilience – where we go even deeper into this story. Remember, we release new episodes of Travel with Jack and Kitty every day! Subscribe on your favorite podcast app. 🎙️❤️

Show Notes: Links to Stuff We Talk About

Free MP3 of Kitty’s Cover of “Dancing Queen”
Be sure to grab your FREE MP3 download of Kitty’s sad girl folk cover of the classic ABBA tune, “Dancing Queen”!