Henry A. Castle was many things to many people; but perhaps chief among them, he was a leader, in every sense of the word. A Columbus, Illinois native, Henry A. Castle was a father, soldier, journalist, politician, entrepreneur, and a humanitarian. He possessed an uncanny ability to be everything to everyone, and was forever a servant to his community; ceaseless in his efforts to innovate and progress. It was his eternal hunger for opportunity and his vision for a vibrant and promising future which helped shape the indelible legacy of North St. Paul – an extraordinary small town in a big city.
Castle settled in St. Paul in 1868 with his family at the age of 27. For a young man in his twenties, Castle was well beyond his years and quickly became a figure of great significance.
It was not long before he was well-known in the professions of journalism, politics and business in the Midwest. A jack of all trades, Henry Castle was an ambitious and spirited individual with an eye for opportunity and the drive to seize it. Though there were many individuals that contributed to the emergence of North St. Paul as a thriving and growing community outside the cities, Henry Castle is considered to be the man with the vision and the determination to make that vision a reality. It began in 1872 when Castle began purchasing land near Silver Lake to be platted for the future community of North St. Paul.
The City of North St. Paul is governed by the Council Manager “Plan B” form of government. Under this plan, all legislative and policy making powers are vested in the Council consisting of a Mayor, elected for a 4-year term, and four Council Members, elected for 4-year terms. These officers are elected at large, and any qualified voter residing in the City is eligible to hold office.
North St. Paul City Council meetings are held on the first and third Tuesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall. The Council Chambers are located on the second floor. Elevator access is available.
