Boys Totem Town Property

Boys Totem Town Land - Historical Research Study

In June 2020, Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, in partnership with local community group Boys Totem Town Land Preservation, was awarded Legacy grant funding through the Minnesota Historical Society to contract with 106 Group, a cultural resource consultation firm, to explore the cultural history of the Boys Totem Town Property in the Highwood Hills neighborhood of Saint Paul. The research resulted in a report, which as completed in October 2020.

The purpose of the project is to conduct historical and archaeological research on this 80 acre parcel of land (70 acres of which have never been developed), where Boys Totem Town Juvenile Detention Center was located for 113 years and was permanently closed in 2019. The site lies on the bluffs of the Mississippi River overlooking Pigs Eye Lake where the Mdewakanton Dakota's historic Kaposia Village was located prior to 1837.

The completed report will be shared with Ramsey County (property owner) and the public, which will provide input and a foundation for future stages of planning for the site.

The property is currently vacant and Ramsey County has not yet determined what will be done with it. Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi and local community members want to ensure that if the site has historical and cultural value, that it is fully investigated and preserved.

If you or your organization is interested in becoming a partner in our work to preserve the site, visit the BTT Land Preservation website and submit a partner form. We look forward to building more community connections!

Check out these news articles about the project:

Star Tribune article 09/30/2020 “Groups study Totem Town site, hoping to make a case for parkland”

Pioneer Press article 09/30/2020 “Environmental group will use Legacy Grant to study former Boys Totem Town site”

Star Tribune article 10/21/2020 “St. Paul neighbors have contrasting visions for the future of the leafy Boys Totem Town site”

Final Report 2021

In February 2021, we happily announced the final report for this project. What did we find? Among other things, this report confirmed our suspicions when suspected and known pre-European burial sites were documented in and near the property. In addition, a projectile point (pre-contact stone arrowhead) was previously discovered and included in the report. These are both strong indicators that there is a high potential for archaeological resources associated with Dakota history on this site.

It is also worth noting that more than half of this site is undeveloped, with nature trails throughout, and many old growth oaks on the property. However, one oak tree in particular may date back to 1776. Astonishingly, this is the exact same year that the very first Euro-American, Jonathan Carver, visited this area and documented his 6-month stay with the Dakota People who lived in this area.

Because of the complex history of this site, including its long history of use as a juvenile detention center that disproportionately impacted Black and Brown boys, there are great opportunities here for future use of this land to directly address issues of inequality and social and environmental justice in our public lands and policies.

To read more about what we learned, find the Boys Totem Town Foundation and Vision Report here. We want to give a special shout out to Patty Mac from the Boys Totem Town Land Preservation Group for her work on this project, as well as the stellar work conducted by the cultural resource professionals at 106 Group!