06/04/2026
📸A Snapshot of John Runk’s Work, 1931
This 1931 photograph captures one of the buildings where photographer John Runk's had a studio. Today, visitors to 221 East Chestnut Street in Stillwater will find Kari's Create & Paint Studio, but nearly a century ago, it was a place where Runk carried out the work that helped preserve Stillwater's history.
If you've ever seen historic photographs of Stillwater, chances are you've viewed John Runk's work. Known for rolling around a baby stroller with equipment and carrying a ladder, Runk spent decades documenting life in the St. Croix Valley. He photographed prisoners and prison scenes, schools, businesses, community events, and everyday views, creating a visual record that continues to help us understand the city's past.
Runk was also passionate about preserving older photographs. He offered to copy images for residents, returning a copy to the owner while keeping one for his growing archive. Thanks to that effort, thousands of images from Stillwater's earliest days survived and can still be studied today.
The photograph shown here is part of the John Runk Historical Photograph Collection, one of the treasures of the Stillwater Public Library's St. Croix Collection. Runk first donated portions of his collection to the library in 1937 and 1938. After his death, the remainder of the collection was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society, Stillwater Public Library, and the Washington County Historical Society.
Stop by anytime the library is open to explore the John Runk Historical Photograph Collection and discover more of Stillwater's fascinating past.
Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater Minnesota Historical Society Washington County Historical Society .co.history Kari's Create & Paint Studio
