Thanks to The North 40 Tavern for their support. A north woods tavern somewhere in the middle of a big city. They regularly rotate tap beers, so stop in to see what’s currently flowing.
The corner of Charlton and Wentworth has changed quite a bit throughout West St. Paul’s history. It used to be surrounded by farm fields. Today it’s a residential neighborhood with a gas station, a church, a group home, and a corner of Dodge Nature Center.
1887: McGrath School
Starting in 1887, the northeast corner of Charlton and Wentworth housed the McGrath School, one of five new schools built in 1887. It was named for Council Member James W. McGrath, who donated the land and is known for giving a legendary speech to the state legislature that convinced them to let West St. Paul break away from South St. Paul.
The school closed in 1934.
1961-Today: Gas Station
After McGrath School was torn down, a gas station went in on the corner.
In 1961, Marv and Irene Bisser took over the gas station and named it Marv’s Town and Country 66. The Bissers sold the station in 1988.
Here’s a look at the station, probably from the late 1970s:
Today it’s a Marathon gas station, a change from the former ICO station that happened in 2019.
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