In 1886 a group of businessmen purchased 1200 acres of land in the Highwood area and established a railroad suburb named Burlington Heights.
It was not until after World War II with the improvement of highways and proliferation of automobiles that this part of Saint Paul was settled extensively.
Large natural areas of woodlands, bluffs, wetlands, streams, lakes, and parkland are a distinctive feature of the neighborhood, especially Pig's Eye Regional Park.
Southeast has more than 1,000 acres of lakes and open land which provide important wildlife habitat, including breeding areas for eagles, herons, and other species.
There is a long term plan to clean up the site and rehabilitate the area as a park, and this project has received the attention of lawmakers in recent years who are looking for funding.