Rondo
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=320&q=80&w=320&s=f65eb491e3116fd1f383fde39f14fb86 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=540&q=80&w=540&s=01fce53ede3c17d894e2cef33cc02eb7 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=768&s=dfe6e2a5bdb371c662d0eff12d6002c5 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1024&q=80&w=1024&s=2e22ca37c57c86ca00dee5a8dfa4ff96 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1200&q=80&w=1200&s=d9311fdc039506468d9b76293699b69d 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/004A9441.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1440&q=80&w=1440&s=01250fdb75b8056c929a6ad2a2176b97 1440w)
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, the region was divided due to the construction of Interstate 94—destroying nearly 700 homes and 300 businesses, displacing thousands of citizens across the metro. This development disrupted the neighborhood, but its hope, pride, and civic engagement still lives on and is celebrated at the Rondo Commemorative Plaza and throughout the annual Rondo Days celebration.
Rondo Commemorative Plaza
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.
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