The publication is reproduced in full below:
100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BIRCHWOOD
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HON. BETTY McCOLLUM
of minnesota
in the house of representatives
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Ms. McCOLLUM. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the 100th anniversary of the incorporation of the Village of Birchwood, Minnesota. Residents gathered on September 10, 2021 to kick off its centennial celebration with a public reception at the village hall and unveiling of historic markers.
Located just north of Saint Paul in the Fourth Congressional District, this charming village hugs the southern shores of White Bear Lake. Originally part of Grant Township like many other small communities in Washington County, it became a part of Lincoln Township in 1918. Development in the area began to boom after the streetcar service was extended from Wildwood Park to White Bear Lake in 1904. This sparked a community of summer cottages for residents of Saint Paul, who would take the streetcar to vacation on White Bear Lake during the hot Minnesota summers. 100 years ago, in 1921, Birchwood was first incorporated as its own village, though the State Legislature later decided to convert the ``village'' to a ``City of the Fourth Class.'' But the term ``village'' had stuck, and members of the community amended the official name to ``Birchwood Village.''
Throughout its history Birchwood Village has been a wonderful place to experience nature right outside of the bustling Twin Cities, attracting visitors to picturesque public parks and beaches, many of which remain today. Many residents of Saint Paul would travel by lake steamer to shop in White Bear Lake, stopping through Birchwood on the way to collect passengers. The summer residents and permanent villagers relied on local farmers for much of their fresh produce and milk, as the small village was home to only one small grocery store. Many improvements came to the area in the 1950s, including water, gas and sewer service as well as blacktopped roads, a trajectory that led to an increase in permanent residents rather than summer vacationers, and which led the village to officially be designated as the City of Birchwood Village in 1974.
The historic Birchwood Village Hall was built in the early 1930's to use as a community building and for other town business, and the city council still holds all of their official meetings there today. The building, which is now the only nonresidential structure left in the town, underwent a renovation in the 1970's and 1980's that including an additional room and new siding, covering the original modernist-style design of Saint Paul architect Magnus Jemne. Then, in the spring of 2021, restoration crews discovered that the original vertical virgin-
timber siding was still there in remarkable shape, and the village hall was restored to its original design, just in time for the centennial celebration this fall.
The village is led today by long-time resident Mayor Mary Wingfield, who has served in the role for over a decade and has eliminated the town of debt among many other accomplishments. With a population under 1,000, residents take great pride in their storied history and the neighborly atmosphere that has encouraged people to call Birchwood Village home for the past century and is sure to continue to do so for the next 100 years. Madam Speaker, please join me in recognition of the centennial anniversary of incorporation of Birchwood Village.
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SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 167, No. 164
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