Modern Highway Photos: Through St. Paul's East Side

Looking north on Mounds Boulevard towards the intersection with Kellogg Boulevard and East Third Street. Mounds Boulevard south of Kellogg/Third was expanded to a four lane divided highway as part of the construction of I-94 in 1966. The intersection of Mounds Boulevard, 3rd Street, and Kellogg was a trunk highway junction from 1931 until 1980. U.S. 61 met the following routes here: Old State Routes 1, 3, 12, and 45 (1931-1934), U.S. Highways 10 and 12 (1931- ca 1952), and lastly State Highway 5 from ca 1952 to 1980.

Looking north down Mounds Boulevard from Third Street.

Another view from the sidewalk overlooking Mounds Boulevard, looking north towards East 6th Street. Mounds Boulevard was reconstructed into a four-lane divided highway between 3rd and 7th Streets in 1975, replacing the old parkway in use since the 1920's. I-94 is just visible on the far left. Also note the direction sign for the exit onto westbound I-94 at 6th Street. The ramps leading from 6th to I-94 are also visible on the left.

Looking northwest towards the intersection with 6th Street. Note the signs indicating the connection to west I-94.

Another view from about the same location, showing the impressive edifice of Metro State University's New Main.

Looking southwest across Mounds Boulevard from 6th Street towards downtown. The ramps to and from Interstate 94 are just ahead. The original ramps were constructed in 1966 on the site of the old 6th Street viaduct, once the main trunk route into downtown St. Paul. This intersection was once the converging point of a total of seven routes from 1926 until 1931, including U.S. Highways 10 and 12, plus old State Routes 1, 3, 12, and 45.

Approaching the junction with State Highway 5 at East 7th Street. Notice the non-standard white JCT sign above the Highway 5 marker (it should be blue).

Another view of the junction with Highway 5 at East 7th Street, plus the direction sign indicating the right turn of U.S. 61 onto 7th Street.

Looking west down 7th Street towards downtown St. Paul. Note the sign indicating the left turn onto Mounds Boulevard for southbound U.S. 61. Historically the main route into downtown from the east side of St. Paul, 7th street strangely was not marked as a trunk highway until 1934. It was originally marked as U.S. Highway 212 from 1934 until 1935, when it was downgraded to a state route with the same number. U.S. Highways 10 and 12 also used 7th Street to enter downtown from ca. 1952 until 1966. State Highway 212 was finally retired and replaced by State Highway 5 in 1980.