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Heritage Preservation

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City History Summary
Three towns, first known as Upper, Middle, and Lower Towns, comprised the early permanent settlement of St. Cloud. The trio, arranged around two deep ravines which joined the Mississippi River, were united as the City of St. Cloud in 1856. St. Cloud soon became a trade and processing center for the surrounding agricultural area. The arrival of the railroad and the founding of the first granite quarry in 1868 attracted new settlers and brought more economic progress. By 1900, transportation and natural resources helped maintain St. Cloud’s prominence as one of the state’s largest cities. Neighborhoods developed with many styles and sizes of houses, from picturesque late Victorian mansions to simple yellow brick or frame worker’s cottages. Today, St. Cloud is home to almost 6,000 historic structures built before or in 1955.

Heritage Preservation Initiatives

• "Preserving St. Cloud" Downtown History Tour
• "Preserving St. Cloud" Highbanks History Tour
• "Preserving St. Cloud" Barden Park History Tour
• "Preserving St. Cloud" Newsletter (Summer 2009)
• 2008 St. Cloud Century Homes Recognition Program
• 2008 St. Cloud Historic Preservation Awards Program

Historic Preservation Awards
The City of St. Cloud has been selected as one of This Old House's Best Old-House Neighborhoods 2010 because of our architectural diversity, craftsmanship of homes, and preservation momentum in the City of St. Cloud - more details.

St. Cloud is Designated a "Preserve America Community" - In May 2005, the City was honored when First Lady Laura Bush announced St. Cloud among the Nation’s newest Preserve America communities. This new White House effort encourages and supports community efforts for the preservation and enjoyment of America’s priceless cultural and natural heritage.


The City received the prestigious Preserve America designation based upon its dedication to historic preservation in the following areas:

• Identification & Protection – The City has designated three local residential historic districts, totaling 201 properties (Southside Neighborhood Historic District, Pantown Neighborhood Historic District, Barden Park Historic District), and designated the St. Cloud Commercial Historic District, which encompasses 64 properties in Downtown St. Cloud.
• Education – In 2003, the City completed the City of St. Cloud Downtown Design Manual, which presents information about preservation, restoration, and maintenance, as well as application of the design manual to 20 historic properties in downtown St. Cloud. To date, seven of the 20 buildings showcased in the 2003 manual have used the design manual for $2 million in major front façade improvements within the St. Cloud Commercial Historic District.
• Finance and Investment – Since 1991, the City has allocated approximately $153,000 for 15 historic preservation projects that were awarded Certified Local Government grant funds, through the MN State Historic Preservation Office.
• Partnerships & Connections – In 2004, to promote heritage tourism in downtown St. Cloud, the City, in conjunction with the St. Cloud Downtown Council, Stearns County History Museum, St. Cloud Convention and Visitors Bureau, and St. Cloud State University, published the “St. Cloud Historic Downtown Walking Tour Guidebook”. The guidebook captures the cultural and aesthetic aspects of downtown St. Cloud in an easy-to-follow format.

Historic Preservation Resources
The City of St. Cloud has developed the following historic preservation resources:

• St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Community Education and Marketing Plan (2007)
• Barden Park Historic District Study (2003)
• Researching A St. Cloud Home
• City of St. Cloud Historic Districts Map (2005)
• City of St. Cloud Residential Historic District Preservation Design Manual (2005)
• St. John Cantius Neighborhood Historic District Study (2004)
• City of St. Cloud Downtown Preservation Design Manual (2003)
• Heritage Preservation Frequently Asked Questions
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase VI (2002)
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase V (2001)
• National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form—Pantown Neighborhood Historic District (2000) (paper copy available)
• Southside Neighborhood Historic District Study (1999)
• The St. Cloud Preservation Plan (1998) (paper copy available)
• National Register of Historic Places Nomination Form—St. Cloud Commercial Historic District (1997) (paper copy available)
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase IV (1996) (paper copy available)
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase III (1995) (paper copy available)
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase II (1994) (paper copy available)
• Historic Sites Survey of St. Cloud—Final Report of Phase I (1993) (paper copy available)
• St. Cloud’s Historic Contexts— Final Report Of An Historic Preservation Planning Project (1992) (paper copy available)
• St. Cloud Heritage Preservation Ordinance (1990)
• Southside Neighborhood Historic District Study, Phase II Study (2000)

Information Links

• Benton County Historical Society
• Sherburne County Historical Society
• Stearns History Museum