These may have been gifts from White employers when a home remodeling was done, or purchased on a lay-by plan: a dollar down, a dollar a week.īefore the forties a critical indication of social status in the community was by address. It would not be unusual to visit a Black home in Rondo and have a meal using sterling silver, hand painted china and lead crystal. As they worked in the wealthy homes, they acquired the taste and life styles of the wealthy. Members of the Rondo neighborhood worked for and knew the powerful wealthy families in the Saint Paul area. In the twenties and thirties many Blacks held personal service positions like maids, cooks, nannies, and chauffeurs for White wealthy and middle class families south of Rondo in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. Thus, Rondo had many college educated adults committed to educating their children. In the early part of the century Black men would often receive advanced educational degrees, and then find themselves unable to be hired for appropriate jobs in academics, law, or banking, and therefore accepted the reliable employment with the railroads. Because of tips, some of the most prosperous jobs were railroad-related such as Pullman porters, dinning car waiters, and redcap porters. Stable employers were the railroads, packing houses, and the government. Many Blacks worked as employees in service-related jobs. At that time doctors, lawyers and beauticians made house calls. This neighborhood produced professionals including medical doctors, dentists, and lawyers. The Black community sustained the Black entrepreneurs that had scattered grocery stores, drug stores, barbershops, tailor and dry cleaners, bars, restaurants and 'good-time houses' (later called tippling houses).

Before the open occupancy laws were passed in the 1960s, Blacks could not stay in hotels. In the Rondo District extra rooms in homes were offered to visitors who came into town. The Rondo District was the heart and soul of the Black community in Saint Paul. Social clubs were essential to the community because Blacks were not allowed in White-owned hotels, dance halls, or restaurants. and Ober Boys Club were the center of the community. Black Churches and social service agencies like Welcome Hall, Hallie Q.

The Days of Rondo by Evelyn Fairbanks