Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Cathy Wurzer
St. Paul, Minn.

Minnesota history: The rise of 3M

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, Arcade and Bush, St. Paul. Photograph Collection ca. 1938
Image Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society

The old 3M headquarters complex in East St. Paul is beginning to breathe new life. The St. Paul Port Authority, which purchased the 46-acre campus two years ago, expects a commercial bakery to open on the site by the summer.

HealthEast already runs an ambulance service on another part of the property. And Ironton Asset Fund, a St. Paul-based real estate development company, is looking for ways to preserve and re-purpose four of the historic buildings on the campus.

3M moved its operations to Maplewood in the 1960s.

MPR News Host Cathy Wurzer talked about the history of the company and its old St. Paul headquarters with St. John's University historian Annette Atkins.

Editor's note: The original version of this story incorrectly stated the year the St. Paul Port Authority completed its acquisition of the property. It was 2009, not 2011.

Gallery
4 of 4
3M Manufacturing Company
Manufacture of cellulose tape, Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, St. Paul. Photograph Collection 1931.
Image Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
1 of 4
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company, Arcade and Bush, St. Paul. Photograph Collection ca. 1938
Image Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society
2 of 4
3M plant explosion
3M plant explosion, 1951, St. Paul. Photographer: Minneapolis Star Journal Tribune.
Image Courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society