264635 WH17E - CITV CLERK ���Vi�J
PINK �FINANCE GITY OF SAINT PATTL uncil �"'
CANARV - DEPARTMENT
BL�1E - MAYOR 1 NO.
Co 'l esol on � . -
Presented By �'"r� • �
Referred To Commi Date
Out of Committee! at "�1
WHEREAS, research by the Ramsey County and Saint Paul
Historical Society has determined that Robert Smith, for
whom Smith Park, given to the City of Saint Paul in 1849,
was named, was neither a resident of Saint Paul at an.y time
during his lifetime nor a pioneer founder of the Gity, as
were Henry M. Rice and John. Irvine � for whom Rice Park and
Irvine Park were named; and
WHEREAS, Robert Smith was a resident of Alton, Illinois ,
and an Illinois speculator and member of Congress ; and
WHEREAS, there were , in fact, two donors of the land now
known as Smith Park, not only Robert Smith, but also his part-
ner, C. S. Whitney, who, ais-o� was never a resident of Saint
Paul but was a proprietor, with Robert Smith, of Whitney and
Smith� s addition; and
WHE REAS, the Smith Park area now is being developed into
a historic area and is the location of three historically and
architecturally significant buildings , the First Baptist
Church, the McColl Building, and the Noyes-Cutler Building,
all of which are being preserved and restored th rough the
personal interest of Norman B. Mears , now, therefor� , be it
RESOLVED, that an accident of history be reetified, and �
that Smith Park be renamed Mears Park in recognition of the
latter-day pioneering efforts of Norman B. Mears in historic re-
development of the area.
COUNCILMEN Requested by Department of:
Yeas Nays
Christensen
Hozza � In Favor
Levine
Rcedler � Against BY
Sylvester '
Tedesco
President Hunt
Adopted by Co . Date
NOV 2 6 1974 Form Approved by City Attorney
,
Certif' Counc' Sec etary BY`���-� �
.
By
Approved Mayor: Date 2 7 Approved�b Mayo t cil
By By
PUBLISHED DEC 71974
__
' � M��.: ; 2646�5
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O��ti�N�t �
r � COUNfT ; �a TI�E RAMSEY COUI�TY an S INT P UL
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` ` ` 4 H[I�TORIC.�L SOCIETY
P ' f%
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, OLD FEDERAL COURTS BUILDING
s--t � � 75 WEST FIFTH STREET
, ,
�e'" '"°` SA1NT PAUL, MINNESOTA 55102
�,�E a 612-227-0795
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OFFICERS AND BOARD MEMBERS ,
R�bert Orr Baker
President
Henry H.Cow•le,Jr.
!st Vi�e Prrsident
A.Jarocs Dickinson
2nd Vice President
Mrs.Gale Frosr April 4� 1974
Recording Secrernry
Mrs.loseph H.North
Corresponding Secretary RESOLUTION
Kit Svee
Treasurer
Mrs.Cfiftord Alexis
Aardett B:,ker �1HEREAS, research by the Rarasey County and Saint Paul.
George Bohrer
a�Bo�y ko�z�'i''`� Historical Society has determined that Robert Smith, for
Richard T.Faricy
M�.s�anley].Fiorito,,�. vvhom Sr�ith Park, given to the city of St. Paul in 1�49,
Htnrv Hall
Mrs.7ohn Henry Wc'3.S named, was neither a resident of St. Paul at any time
Witliam Rircher
RobertD.Mirick C�Ur'1_Tl� his lifetime , nor a pion.eer founder af the city,
Stephen 4.Osbor❑
FrankPaskewitz as were Henry Tt2. Pice arid Jonn Irvine , for whom Rice Park
Charles Simmer
Richard Vogl and Irvir�e Park were named and,
Virginia Brainard Kunz
ExecutiveDirector ��VHEREAS, Robert Smith was a resident of Alton, Illinois,
TheG+bbsFarmtiT�S��m and ari Illin�is speculator a.nd a r�ember of Congress, and,
209i 5�'est Larpenteur
Saint P3u1,b9innesotn SSll3
612-646-06?4 W:-i��E�S, ti�ere werein ir� fa.ct, two donors of tne land
Robert Drake noVr l�otim as Smith Park, not only Rcbert Smith but also
Si[eManager his partner, C. S. �l�nitney, who also was never a resident
of St, Palzl but was a proprietor, witn �obert Smith, of
�'�'l�iitriey ar�d Smitn' s addition, and,
WH���RE�S, the Smith Park �.rea now is being developed into
ari historic �rea and is �the laca�;ion of three historically
�.nd architecturally si�;nificant buildings, the First Baptist
Ch��rc'r�; tne "�TcColl Bui.lding, and the Noyes-Cutler Building,
a�_1 oz which a.re bein� preserved arid restored throu�h the
personal inte.res� of I�orman B. i�?ears ,
Ttii�.?ZJr O�E, R�; IT RESJLV F� THAT aii accident of history be .
rectified and tri�.t Sr�ith P�rk be reri�ur►ed l�Zears Park in
reco�nition of the latter-day pi.oneAring efforts of
1�Torm��n I3. ;�ears in historic redevelopment of tne area.
.
.. �,i,.���,�r , �;��:er
. 'ent
THE HAMSEY COUNTY HIS?ORIGAL SOCtETY OWNS AN� MAINTAIP.S THE GIBBS FARM MUSEUM.