Summit Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota

Following a suggestion in a visitors guide to the twin cities area, Dan and I took a walking tour of the magnificent, longest remaining stretch of Victorian homes in the country along Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Named one of ten "Great Streets" nationally by the American Planning Association in 2008, Summit Avenue is known for having a number of historic houses, churches, synagogues, and schools. The street starts just west of downtown St. Paul and continues 4 ½ miles west to the Mississippi River where St. Paul meets Minneapolis. Although guided tours are provided for those wishing to learn more about the history and architecture of the area, this is actually a residential neighborhood, with a mix of single family dwellings and some houses that have been divided into apartments. The beautiful homes are lined with large, old trees, cobblestone side streets, and historic stone curbs, making this a favorite walking or jogging route for both visitors and the locals. Here are some pictures of some of the houses we saw the day we were there.