North End is north of the State Capitol in St. Paul and at the heart of it is Rice Street, which is one of the oldest streets in Minnesota. It has roughly 21,000 people and has traditionally been a neighborhood of immigrants. There have been many waves of immigrants including Hungarians, Romanians, and Germans. More recent waves have included the Hmong, Somalians, and refugees from Karen. There have been the usual issues in the neighborhood due to gentrification, but the community is committed to making the neighborhood vibrant once again. North End has a historic feel to it as it houses the State Capitol, Oakland Cemetery--in which several famous Minnesota politicians are buried. It is also the beginning point of the Gateway Trail, which is 18 miles of connectivity between St. Paul and Stillwater. They take pride in their green spaces, which include Marydale Park, Cayuga Park, and the Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary. The last was created in order to provide a nature haven in the midst of a dense urban neighborhood. It is 42 acres of bountiful greenery, colorful murals, and diverse flora and fauna. There is plenty to do in the neighborhood. If you're a foodie, there are restaurants with different cuisines, including Thai, Chinese, and more than one pizza place. If you're more into sports and athletics, there is the Rice and Arlington Sports Complex which is a haven for anyone who enjoys baseball/softball. They have batting cages, too. In addition, there is a field on which you can play lacrosse, soccer, or football.

Settlers started coming to North End in the 1840s and a driving force behind the development was a man named Edmund Rice. He purchased a tract of land where Cayuga Street is now and made his home there. It's called Trout Brook and it's now a sanctuary. In 1857, he helped found the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and allowed it to run through his property. The railroad was central in the development of the area. Settlers moved further south whereas businesses started sprouting up along the railroad, including the Jackson Street Roundhouse (railroad roundhouse). Rice Street is a major thoroughfare in North End and has played a big part in the commercial side of the city. It isn't much to look at because it was built in a hurry and without fanfare. It's part of the streetcar route, which means that several businesses are on the street as well. At one point, there was a multitude of bakers, confectioners, grocers, and butchers in the space of a few miles. Many of these buildings are now gone, but not forgotten as the city has slowly changed over the decades. Another point of pride for the city is that it has the oldest manufacturer in Minnesota, currently named the St. Paul Foundry. It was established in 1869 and named the St. Paul Brass Works Company. Their primary product at the time were cast metal parts which was needed by the Great Northern Railroad, which started in St. Paul. Currently, they still produce quality metal castings, including brass, bronze, and aluminum sand castings. Like many urban neighborhoods, North End is concentrating on revitalizing the neighborhood. Thy are committed to bringing together the diverse members of the community and are seeking out the funds and resources in order to accomplish this goal.

North End does not have an official environmental policy. They are focusing their energies on strengthening the roots of the neighborhood in order to make it a vibrant place to live once again. They are funneling their efforts into making the neighborhood safe, welcoming, and economically sustainable. The few nods to environmental issues are that any North End Neighborhood Organization (NENO) events will have zero waste and that they would do their best to preserve green spaces. In December of 2019, St Paul adopted a Climate Action & Resilience Plan, in conjunction with the Great Plains Institute. In this document, St Paul is setting a goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. St Paul is pushing to have increase sustainability in a couple different ways. 1. They are looking to reduce carbon by making buildings more efficient. This would include changing the building codes to increase efficiency. 2. They are looking to have the transportation sector change to electric vehicles. They also want people to drive less.

If you are wanting to search for homes, or list your home for sale, click on the links below.

Front Park - ( 485 Stinson St.,, 651-266-6400, website)

Front Park is a small neighborhood park that has two softball fields and a baseball diamonds for those who like to toss a ball around. There is also a renovated skate park for those who like to lay it down. If you're interested in any of these activities, then this is a good place to go to.

Marydale Park - ( 542 Maryland Ave. W,, 651-266-6400, website)

Marydale Park is nearly 24 acres of flora and fauna; it is a favorite of the neighborhood because there is plenty to see and do. It encircles Loeb Lake, which has a fishing pier if that's your jam. For the sporty types, there are sepak takraw courts, and if you're more a leisurely person, there are trails upon which you can walk at your own pace. There is a play area for the kids and benches if you just want to have a sit down. There are also BBQ grills when it's time to grill up something to eat.

Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary - ( , , website)

The Trout Brook Nature Sanctuary was established because the city had a vision of a haven of greenery in an urban setting. It's roughly 42 acres of flora and fauna; it is enjoyed by many members of the community. There is a biking trail and there is a hiking trail, both wend their way through the park so you can see all it has to offer--which includes wetlands and various ecosystems. There are colorful paintings on the bridge supports in a nice hybrid of urban and natural, and they can be enjoyed as you travel around the park. There is also a picnic area when you need a bite of food and a respite.

Dar's Double Scoop - ( 1048 Rice St.,, 651-489-2422, website)

Dar's Double Scoop is an ice cream shop that was opened in 2005 by Kevin Barrett. It's a colorful shop with a welcoming atmosphere, and it's a popular destination in the neighborhood. Their specialty is ice cream, of course, and they have Italian ice, pizza, hot dogs, and more as well. Their ice cream flavors include Coconut Joy, Zanzibar Chocolate, Rum Cherry, and Black Walnuts. They have malts, hot fudge sundaes, and Banana Splits. They'll combine any flavors you want. They have brick ovens to fire up their pizzas such as German Pizza, Loaded Meat Lovers Pizza, Chicken Pesto Pizza. No matter what you choose, you're guaranteed to leave with a smile on your face.

Krungthep Thai - ( 1141 Rice St.,, 651-340-8681, website)

Krungthep Thai is a Thai fusion restaurant that is owned by a family. They aim to bring the authentic flavors of Thailand to St. Paul and Krung Thep is what Thai people call Bangkok. The decor is natural and serene, and the service is cheerful and friendly. The menu includes classics such as spring rolls, Wonton Egg Noodle Soup, Drunken Noodle, and Stir-Fried Tofu with Shrimp & Squid. They also have fusion pasta dishes such as Green Curry Fettuccine, Spaghetti with Tom-Kha Sauce, and Spaghetti with Thai Basil Sauce.

Mama's Pizza - ( 961 Rice St.,, 651-489-2005, website)

Mama's Pizza is a neighborhood favorite and is filled with woodsy charm. It has colorful art on the walls and stained-glass lamp covers overhead. The service is friendly and everyone is welcomed with open arms. You can build your own pizza or try one of theirs such as the Flavor Explosion or the Special Deluxe. They also have Italian Dinners, including lasagna, stuffed shells, and a sausage platter. They have sandwiches, too.

Ragin' Cajun - ( 984 Dale St. N,, 651-488-5691, website)

South China Island Inn - ( 1420 Rice St.,, 651-488-7849, website)

South China Island Inn is a Chinese restaurant that serves all your favorites in a wood-heavy setting. It's a unprepossessing place with all your favorite Chinese foods. The staff is very friendly and the atmosphere is welcoming. It's a neighborhood favorite for as long as it has been around. The menu includes chow mein, fried rice, lo mein, and combination dishes. There are also beef dishes, pork dishes, chicken dishes, and more. The house specialties include Orange Chicken, Eight Immortal Beef, and Kung Pao Sam Ding.

Mythriftstores - ( 1657 Rice St.,, 651-528-8315, website)

Mythriftstores is dedicated to serving the communities of St. Paul by providing affordable merchandise for them to buy. They constantly update their stock and are careful about what they choose to sell. They have a wide variety of items for sale as well, ranging from vintage clothing to home decor to books and much more. The sheer volume of merchandise they have makes it fun to browse around the store for hours.