Rondo
Rondo Avenue was once the heart of Saint Paul’s most prominent African American community, dating back to the years following the Civil War. In the 1960s, Rondo Avenue was demolished as part of the construction of Interstate 94. This development disrupted the neighborhood, but its hope, pride, and civic engagement live on in the Rondo Commemorative Plaza and annual Rondo Days celebration.
In 2013, a two-story commercial building on the corner of Concordia Avenue and Fisk Street burned down. This seemingly unremarkable structure held deep importance to the community and was one of the last physical traces of the old Rondo community. Rondo native, Marvin Roger Anderson, organized a wake for the building to honor its passing and share memories of the space. Thus, sparking inspiration to create a permanent space to learn, honor and remember Rondo's legacy.