Home of Native Americans for about 2,000 years, the area was purchased from the Sioux Nation by the United States in the 1805 Treaty of St. Peters (Pike’s Purchase). Fort Snelling was built in 1819. On the other side of the Mississippi River, bootlegger Pierre Parent established Pig’s Eye tavern for thirsty fur traders and soldiers. The growing settlement was also called Pig’s Eye until renamed Saint Paul in 1841. For less than a decade, St. Paul was the capital of the Minnesota Territory. In 1858, the city became the state capital when Minnesota was admitted to the union. Today, this sibling of Minneapolis – commonly referred to as the Twin Cities – is a thriving community of 300,000 residents. “The most livable city in America” boasts of Fortune 500 companies, abundant cultural venues and museums, excellent schools and stunning architecture like the Cathedral of Saint Paul.
