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St. Paul

Photos: A look back at the West Publishing riverfront

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The 1896 West Publishing Company building
West Publishing was founded in 1872, and in 1896 moved to the West Publishing Company building that still stands at 50 W Kellogg Blvd.
Courtesy Thomson Reuters

As Ramsey County prepares to tear down the former headquarters of West Publishing and the old Ramsey County Jail, it's a good chance to take a look back at photos that illustrate the history of West Publishing, and the St. Paul riverfront.

What began as John B. West Co., became West Publishing. The offices and presses operated along the river until 1992, when it moved to Eagan.

Gallery
13 of 13
An aerial view of the 1964 flood
An aerial view of the 1964 flood shows how high the Mississippi River rose, almost breeching the levee. Pumps ran 24/7 to keep the elevator shafts clear and elevators operational in the building. To the right is the future Ramsey County Jail site.
Courtesy Thomson Reuters
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The 1896 West Publishing Company building
West Publishing was founded in 1872, and in 1896 moved to the West Publishing Company building that still stands at 50 W Kellogg Blvd.
Courtesy Thomson Reuters
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Editorial offices were placed by windows.
Editorial offices were placed by windows to use natural light for reading thousands of cases every year. West Publishing developed the National Reporter System, where editors read and summarized legal cases around the country.
Courtesy Thomson Reuters