By Peter Boulay, Maplewood Heritage Preservation Commissioner
Lake Phalen is named for Phalen Creek that flows out the south end of the lake. Edward Phalen (or Phelan) was a former soldier that settled along a creek that flowed between Phalen Lake and the Mississippi River. In 1838, he was discharged from Fort Snelling. He took a series of claims around St. Paul and lived in a cabin about a mile away from the other settlers.
In September 1839, Phalen was accused of murdering John Hays, his
partner in the claim business. John Hays' body was found near Carver's
cave and at first it was rumored that the chief Wa-kin-yan-ton-ka (Big
Thunder) was responsible. However, people at the time thought Phalen
was the culprit and he was charged with murder and sent to Prairie du
Chien. He was sent there because the crime was committed in Wisconsin
Territory. Despite the suspicions, Phalen was acquitted due to a lack
of evidence. When he returned he settled on Phalen Creek.
Eventually Phalen left for the gold fields of California and was killed
by his companions in what they called an act of self-defense along the
route. A prominent local historian of the late 1800’s considered it a
disgrace to have the lake from which St. Paul received its water supply
(from 1869-1913) named after a “brutal murderer.”