Justus Ramsey Stone House

The Justus Ramsey Stone House is the oldest known house still standing in Saint Paul in the U.S. state of Minnesota. The house, located at 252 West 7th Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The home is an example of a Saint Paul residence of a settler of some financial means.

Justus Ramsey Stone House
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
The Justus Ramsey Stone House in 2017
Location	252 7th Street West, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Coordinates	44°56′33″N 93°6′16.5″W
Area	Less than 1 acre (0.40 ha)
Built	1855–57
Architectural style	Greek Revival
NRHP reference No.	75001014[1]
Added to NRHP	May 6, 1975

Ramsey

The building as an antique store in 1960

Justus Cornelius Ramsey was born in Hummelstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania and learned the printer's trade. He was first employed as a surveyor for the Pennsylvania Railroad, then came to Saint Paul in 1849 where he engaged in the grocery business and in real estate. He was the younger brother of the first governor of Minnesota Territory, Alexander Ramsey. In 1850, he was elected to the Minnesota Territorial Legislature and served for three terms; he also served in other governmental posts, including carrying the treaty payment to the Dakota when the Dakota War of 1862 erupted.[2]

The building

The 35-acre (14 ha) parcel including 252 West 7th Street was purchased by Henry Hastings Sibley, Henry M. Rice, and Justus Ramsey for $60.00 in 1849. The land was subdivided in 1850, and Justus Ramsey kept the title to the lot where this two-room house was built; it is believed that he initially lived in the home. It was constructed with 2-foot-thick light gray quarry-faced limestone walls, ashlar-coursed with lime mortar. In 1859, Ramsey lost or sold the home, after which it served as a barber shop and a residence.

Ramsey committed suicide in 1881, leaving behind a fortune of $200,000.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. January 23, 2007.
2. Minnesota Legislators Past and Present-Justus Cornelius Ramsey

• "Justice Cornelius Ramsey House". HABS. Library of Congress. Retrieved December 14, 2007.
• Nord, Mary Ann (2003). The National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society. ISBN 0-87351-448-3.
• Martin, Lawrence A. (June 14, 2001). "Observations on Architectural Styles, Irvine Park to Cherokee Park Hike". Thursday Night Hikes: Irvine/Cherokee Park Hike Architecture Notes, Part 1. Retrieved December 14, 2007.