Dayton’s Bluff Neighborhood
While many people think that Dayton’s Bluff is named after a Dayton from Dayton’s Department store fame, it is actually named after Lyman Dayton, a land and railroad speculator from Vermont. He initially platted this “addition to St. Paul” in 1857. Dayton and the other wealthy homeowners built large expansive homes with unique architectural exteriors and quality interior finishes. The rolling terrain of the original land was retained, with houses being built to maximize the view of the infant city of Saint Paul and the river.
Saint Paul Real Estate in Dayton’s Bluff saw a transformation starting in the 1880s to include more than just wealthy homeowners. Daytons Bluff became an economically and socially diverse neighborhood. Many of the original Daytons Bluff homes are still standing; with many being over 100 years old. The current interest in the revitalization of Dayton’s Bluff focuses largely on the older homes and buildings which are the record of the area’s rich history.
The Dayton’s Bluff Historic District was approved by the St. Paul City Council in August, 1992. Its creation recognizes the historical and architectural significance of these early Saint Paul Homes neighborhood and is a an important part of revitalization of Saint Paul real estate.
With reasonable housing prices, Dayton’s Bluff, Hillcrest, and Hazel Park have seen a renewed influx in recent years of homeowners and investors that wish to restore these homes to their original beauty. Public investment includes the recent construction of Metropolitan State University and the multi-million dollar Third Street renewal project.
