Emelia Earhart

Here is a questions that comes up every so often. I figured that I would take this opportunity ho highlight the answer in light of the new movie:



I heard on the TV news that Amelia Earhart attended Central High School for her junior year (1913-14). Where in St. Paul did the Earhart Family live? Thank you.


Hannah
Saint Paul, MN


and the response:


Hello Hannah,

Thanks for the question. We have a very (Very) small file here on Ms. Earhart. In 1914 Edwin Earhart is listed at 825 Fairmount Ave. Edwin, Amelia’s father, was a claims agent for the railroad. It was the reason that the family moved frequently and the reason that they only stayed in St. Paul for about a year. But there were other family relations here in St. Paul. Emelia’s mother’s maiden name was Otis. The Otis family has a long history in St. Paul, dating back to 1867 when George L. Otis was elected as mayor of St. Paul. Though there is little information to suggest that there was much of a relationship between the Otis family and the E. Earharts.

It’s also reported that Ms. Earhart and her younger sister Muriel sang in St. Clements Episcopal Church choir. St. Clements is at 901 Portland Ave.

Most of this information was drawn from an undated article clipping from ‘Soundings’ which is a publication of the Episcopal Diocese of MN. Also used was the St Paul city directory from 1914.

Hope this answers your question. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if you have any others.

Will

Research Manager
Curatorial Associate
Ramsey County Historical Society


It's a fun little Nugget of St Paul history. This might be a great question for Jeopardy! I should have added that the photos from 1914 of Central High students are not labeled, so we would have to compare the photos to others of Amelia. It would be fun to track down a year book from that year and see what turns up!!