Saint Paul’s Como Park Neighborhood Highlights
Posted by Matt Barker on Wednesday, October 15, 2008 at 5:25 PM
By Matt Barker / October 15, 2008
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Located in the northwestern area of the City of St. Paul, the neighborhood known as Como Park is bordered on the north by Hoyt Avenue and Larpenteur Avenue, on the east by Dale Street, on the south by the Burlington Northern Railroad tracks and Maryland Avenue, and on the west by Snelling Avenue. This beautiful neighborhood is a primarily residential and recreational area. With Como Lake at its heart, its wonderful parks, and of course, the Como Park Zoo and Marjorie McNeely Conservatory is known as Saint Paul's Garden District.
Como Park was originally settled as farmland in the middle of the 1800's. Como Lake was named in 1848 and was incorporated into the city of Saint Paul in 1854. Real estate developer Henry McKenty, thinking that the Como Park area would be the perfect place for a resort, began construction on Como Road beginning in 1868. Though his real estate dreams were never realized, Como Road is still part of today’s Como Avenue, a major street running through the neighborhood.
Because of its beautiful views and lakeside location, 256 acres of land on the west side of Lake Como were bought by the City of St. Paul in 1873. Twenty years later in 1893, the electric street car was introduced to Lake Como, which allowed St. Paul residents to travel the 3 miles to Como Lake Park in just 30 minutes. Shortly thereafter in 1897, the Como Zoo was built. This was followed with the Como Lakeside Pavilion, which was constructed between the years of 1905 to 1906. Finally, the Como Park Conservatory was built in 1915. Just as these significant structures were popular when they were first built, they continue to this day to be centerpieces of the neighborhood’s recreational venues.
And what popular venues there are! Did you know that Como Park is the most widely used park within the Twin Cities metro area? Admittance to the Como Park Zoo is free. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, formerly the Como Park Conservatory, is the largest indoor, glass garden in the region. The Como Lakeside Pavilion is the site of live entertainment every week throughout the warm summer months. Black Bear Crossings, which can be found inside the Pavilion, serves sandwiches, desserts, coffee, and other café fare. The park also is home to miles of popular biking, walking and running trails.
This is the neighborhood for you if you are a fan of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The State Fair Grounds border Como Park on the west side. Most people know that the Minnesota State Fair takes place every year in August, but its not as widely known that the fair grounds are used throughout the year for technology fairs, antique sales, car shows, horse shows, and more.
Como Park residents have access to St. Paul public schools. Chelsea Heights and Como Elementary are neighborhood elementary schools. Como Junior and Senior High are also within the Como Park area.
There are a variety of Como Park homes, town houses, and condos from which home buyers could choose. Though there are no homes actually built on edge of the lake, many houses in Como Park have spectacular views of the Como Lake. About one-third of the single-family houses in Como Park were constructed after World War II. Though craftsman bungalows and ramblers are popular throughout the neighborhood, some 19th century Victorian’s here. There are also some newly constructed homes to be found in the neighborhood.
The median home price of the area is a little above the Saint Paul real estate average. This is because homes next to the Como Park have appreciated in value significantly over the last few years. The median sales price of a single family home, townhome, or condos in Como Park during 2005 was $218,000. Recently, it was reported that the average price of a home sold in Como Park during September of 2008 was $201,134. For the year to date, homes have been selling Como Park for an average price of $208,089. That means that you’re certain to find a nice single family home a few blocks from Como Park for under $200,000.
Homes in Saint Paul’s Como Park neighborhood
More St. Paul Real Estate Listings
Como Park was originally settled as farmland in the middle of the 1800's. Como Lake was named in 1848 and was incorporated into the city of Saint Paul in 1854. Real estate developer Henry McKenty, thinking that the Como Park area would be the perfect place for a resort, began construction on Como Road beginning in 1868. Though his real estate dreams were never realized, Como Road is still part of today’s Como Avenue, a major street running through the neighborhood.
Because of its beautiful views and lakeside location, 256 acres of land on the west side of Lake Como were bought by the City of St. Paul in 1873. Twenty years later in 1893, the electric street car was introduced to Lake Como, which allowed St. Paul residents to travel the 3 miles to Como Lake Park in just 30 minutes. Shortly thereafter in 1897, the Como Zoo was built. This was followed with the Como Lakeside Pavilion, which was constructed between the years of 1905 to 1906. Finally, the Como Park Conservatory was built in 1915. Just as these significant structures were popular when they were first built, they continue to this day to be centerpieces of the neighborhood’s recreational venues.
And what popular venues there are! Did you know that Como Park is the most widely used park within the Twin Cities metro area? Admittance to the Como Park Zoo is free. The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory, formerly the Como Park Conservatory, is the largest indoor, glass garden in the region. The Como Lakeside Pavilion is the site of live entertainment every week throughout the warm summer months. Black Bear Crossings, which can be found inside the Pavilion, serves sandwiches, desserts, coffee, and other café fare. The park also is home to miles of popular biking, walking and running trails.
This is the neighborhood for you if you are a fan of the Great Minnesota Get-Together. The State Fair Grounds border Como Park on the west side. Most people know that the Minnesota State Fair takes place every year in August, but its not as widely known that the fair grounds are used throughout the year for technology fairs, antique sales, car shows, horse shows, and more.
Como Park residents have access to St. Paul public schools. Chelsea Heights and Como Elementary are neighborhood elementary schools. Como Junior and Senior High are also within the Como Park area.
There are a variety of Como Park homes, town houses, and condos from which home buyers could choose. Though there are no homes actually built on edge of the lake, many houses in Como Park have spectacular views of the Como Lake. About one-third of the single-family houses in Como Park were constructed after World War II. Though craftsman bungalows and ramblers are popular throughout the neighborhood, some 19th century Victorian’s here. There are also some newly constructed homes to be found in the neighborhood.
The median home price of the area is a little above the Saint Paul real estate average. This is because homes next to the Como Park have appreciated in value significantly over the last few years. The median sales price of a single family home, townhome, or condos in Como Park during 2005 was $218,000. Recently, it was reported that the average price of a home sold in Como Park during September of 2008 was $201,134. For the year to date, homes have been selling Como Park for an average price of $208,089. That means that you’re certain to find a nice single family home a few blocks from Como Park for under $200,000.
Homes in Saint Paul’s Como Park neighborhood
More St. Paul Real Estate Listings
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