[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 164 (Wednesday, September 22, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1006-E1007]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE INCORPORATION OF THE VILLAGE OF BIRCHWOOD

                                 ______
                                 

                          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.

[[Page E1007]]

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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