Saint Cloud, MN

Saint Cloud is located 60 miles northwest of Minneapolis and sits on the banks of the Mississippi River. It's one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas in the state and serves as a commercial hub for more than a quarter of a million people. Saint Cloud has a population of more than 66,000 in 2007, an 11 percent growth from the population in 2000. In an average year, Saint Cloud sees 29 inches of rain and 49.5 inches of snow.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Because of the diversification of the economy and the workforce in Saint Cloud, the area enjoys some protection from recessions. The area has a strong blend of manufacturers, agricultural business and a strong health-care industry. When the professional services in the area are combined with a thriving print industry and a strong retail component, it's easy to see why Saint Cloud continues to enjoy a strong economy. Saint Cloud is home to a wide range of large employers:

• CentraCare Health Systems/Saint Cloud Hospital
• Coborn's
• State of Minnesota
• Saint Cloud Public Schools
• Electrolux Home Products
• Veterans Administration Medical Center
• Gold'n Plump
• Saint John's University
• City of Saint Cloud
• Stearns County
• Wolters Kluwer Financial Services
• Merrill Corporation
• Catholic Charities
• Nahan Printing
• Verso Paper

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

The Saint Cloud Central Business District is part of the Preserve America Community project and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It features specialty shops, restaurants and bars, and unusual sites, such as designer fire hydrants and the Granite Trio, a set of three statues created out of granite by famed artist Anthony Caponi. Other neighborhoods in central Saint Cloud include:

• Clemens-Munsinger: Named for the gardens located along the banks of the Mississippi River at the University bridge, this neighborhood was built up in the early 1900s.
• Colonial Gardens: Between downtown and the west end shopping district, this area was built up in the mid-1900s and has the city's only traffic circle.
• Hester Park: North of the central business district, with a mix of housing.
• Lake George: Eastman Park, Lake George and Tech High School are the focus of this neighborhood near downtown.
• Lincoln School: A river-side neighborhood with housing that dates back to the early 1900s and commercial and industrial areas.
• Pantown: Madison Elementary School and a mix of housing are in this district named for the old Pan Motor Company.
• Seberger/Roosevelt: Named for Seberger Park and the Roosevelt Early Childhood Center.
• Southside: One of the oldest parts of town, along the river, with Barden Park (the City's oldest park at 150 years old) and St. Cloud State University.
• St. John Cantius: Single-family housing in this neighborhood bordering downtown.
• West End: A mid-20th century neighborhood with three parks.
• Wilson Park: A river-side park is in this business/residential area.

EDUCATION

Saint Cloud places a strong emphasis on continuing education and has several colleges in the area:

• Saint Cloud State University: This university is more commonly known as SCSU and is a four-year university that is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system. It is the second-largest university in the state of Minnesota. The sports teams associated with SCSU are known as the Huskies.
• Rasmussen College: This private school offers students the opportunity to earn either an associate's or bachelor's degree.
• Globe University/Minnesota School of Business: This private school specializes in career training in business, medical, legal, and information technology fields.
• College of Saint Scholastica: This is a graduate and continuing studies program geared toward working adults who want to complete a four-year degree. The athletic teams associated with the college are known as the Saints and are associated with NCAA Division III, the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference, the Northern Collegiate Hockey Association, and the Central Collegiate Ski Association.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Paramount Theatre and Visual Arts Center: This supposedly haunted theater seats 1,700 and was built in 1921. Each year it offers a variety of performances including concerts, children's programs, and musical theater. It also hosts community events throughout the year.
• Stearns History Museum: Situated on a 100-acre park, the museum has two floors of exhibits and boats a museum gift shop and a research center.
• Munsinger Gardens and Clemens Gardens: These adjacent gardens holds specimens that date back to the early 1930s. Built under the WPA, Munsinger Gardens features 14 acres of informal gardens. Clemens Gardens features several distinct formal gardens spanning 7 acres.
• Quarry Park: This park features numerous granite quarries, along with skiing, hiking, and biking trails.
• Men's Choral Festival Concert: This concert usually takes place in January.

BEST BETS

• Cathedral of Saint Mary: This cathedral was constructed in the 1920s and is an example of Italian Romanesque architecture. It is home to the oldest parish in Saint Cloud in addition to being the largest church in the area.
• Saint Cloud Civic Center: This downtown meeting place overlooks the Mississippi River. This 100,000 square-foot venue adapts to the events that it hosts. The Saint Cloud Civic Center has been home to technical shows, home exhibits, farm and garden shows, and weddings. Catering is available for events held in this location.

FUN FACTS

• Several courtroom scenes from the film The Mighty Ducks were filmed in Saint Cloud. The in-game hockey scenes were filmed inside the National Hockey Center, which is located at Saint Cloud State University.
• One of the main characters in the television sitcom How I Met Your Mother, Marshall Eriksen, is a Saint Cloud native.
• Segments of the movie Juno were set in Saint Cloud. No actual filming took place in the city, however.
• Country singer Trisha Yearwood performed the song "On a Bus to Saint Cloud" on her album Thinkin' About You, released in 1995.
• Gig Young, an Academy Award-winning actor, was born in Saint Cloud.
• Saint Cloud is mentioned as one of the scariest places on Earth in the movie 1408.
• Actress June Marlow was a Saint Cloud native.