Historical Markers and War Memorials in Washington County, Minnesota
Stillwater is the county seat for Washington County
Adjacent to Washington County, Minnesota
Anoka County(43) ► Blue Earth County(34) ► Brown County(87) ► Chisago County(40) ► Cottonwood County(9) ► Dakota County(61) ► Jackson County(6) ► Martin County(18) ► Ramsey County(176) ► Watonwan County(8) ► Pierce County, Wisconsin(7) ► Polk County, Wisconsin(18) ► St. Croix County, Wisconsin(39) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
On Saint Croix Trail North (County Highway 18 / 21) 0.3 miles north of Stagecoach Trail South (County Highway 21), on the right when traveling north.
About 1843, six years before Minnesota became a territory, Lemuel Bolles erected on this creek the first commercial flour mill in the Minnesota country. Bolles salvaged wood from the shore of Lake St. Croix and carried it on his back to the mill . . . — — Map (db m21729) HM
How do you move millions of logs harvested from the forests of northern Minnesota and Wisconsin? Rely on a river. From 1839 to 1914, the St. Croix was a crucial link between logging areas and markets.
Arcola witnessed this great movement of . . . — — Map (db m117734) HM
In the 1850s and 1860s, your view from here would have been of a small but busy village. Sawmill operations began at Arcola in 1847, signaling not only the start of a prosperous business but also the growth of a community.
Beyond the Mower . . . — — Map (db m131109) HM
On 3rd Street North (State Highway 95) at 4th Avenue North, on the left when traveling north on 3rd Street North.
1776 • 1976
In memory of the 200th
anniversary of the
American Revolution and
the freedoms for which
it was fought.
May they always be.
Sponsored by
Hesley Jensen Post 491
American Legion and friends
Beneath this . . . — — Map (db m44162) HM
On 3rd Street North / St. Croix Trail (State Highway 95) at 4th Street North, on the right when traveling south on 3rd Street North / St. Croix Trail.
Dedicated
by
The American Legion
and Auxiliary
to
Hesley Jensen
Neil Moen & Hans Nelson
Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice
in the World War
1914–1918 — — Map (db m72024) WM
Near Interstate 35 at milepost 131,, 0.7 miles south of West Broadway Avenue (County Highway 2), on the right when traveling south.
Railroads were charted in Minnesota as early as 1853, but it was not until 1862 that Minnesota's first railroad began to operate on ten miles of track connecting St. Paul with St. Anthony (now part of Minneapolis). In 1870, the Northern Pacific . . . — — Map (db m5289) HM
Near Dellwood Road (State Highway 96) west of Kimbro Avenue N.
Constructing a railroad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries was a feat of skill, determination and hard labor. Each step took careful planning and routes often passed through remote areas with few roads and many dangers.
Step 1: Finding . . . — — Map (db m233665) HM
Near Dellwood Road (State Highway 96) west of Kimbro Avenue N.
Stillwater Welcomes the Iron Horse
Imagine the excitement of a chilly December day in 1870. You watch as workers hammer in the last few spikes to complete Stillwater's first railroad. Area residents had much reason to celebrate—railroads . . . — — Map (db m233663) HM
On Manning Avenue (County Highway 15) at Manning Trail Court when traveling north on Manning Avenue.
Preserving the Past for the Future
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places this is one of five known remaining iron bridges in Minnesota. In the 1890s steel replaced iron as the primary bridge building material making iron bridges . . . — — Map (db m233655) HM
Near Interstate 94 at milepost 256,, 1.3 miles west of Stagecoach Trail, on the right when traveling west.
The St. Croix River Valley Forming a long stretch of the border between Minnesota and Wisconsin, the St. Croix is one of America's most scenic Wild Rivers. Its valley is sometimes referred to as the "New England of the West."
Along with . . . — — Map (db m233414) HM
Near Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
"From here, the first log in the race,
Went forth to seek a dwelling place."
Harriet Bishop, Minnesota, Then and Now, 1869
The St. Croix River ranked second only to the Mississippi as a carrier of logs and . . . — — Map (db m54391) HM
On Judd Street, 0.1 miles south of Maple Street, on the right when traveling south.
Swedish immigrant Sven Anderson built this early settler's cabin in 1852; some of the cabin logs still show the marks from the axe, which squared them. Sven and his wife Stava raised three children in this cabin, and it was their home until 1869. . . . — — Map (db m44601) HM
The St. Croix River Valley, with its towering white pines forests and navigable waters, was originally home to the Ojibwe and Dakota Peoples. In 1837, the tribes ceded their lands to the U.S. government, and by 1839, logs harvested in northern . . . — — Map (db m147264) HM
Near St. Croix Trail North (State Highway 95) south of Maple Street (County Road 4), on the left when traveling south.
In 1857 these millstones were installed at Marine in one of the early flour and grist mills of Minnesota Territory. Water from a stream south of this site was conveyed by a race or flume to furnish power for the overshot mill wheel. Later, rollers . . . — — Map (db m28509) HM
Near St. Croix Trail North (State Highway 95) south of Maple Street (County Road 4), on the left when traveling south.
The first commercial sawmill in Minnesota was erected 300 feet east of here in 1838. The lumbering industry, which monopolized the minds and talents of men in the St. Croix Valley for three-quarters of a century, was born with the erection of this . . . — — Map (db m28535) HM
On Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
One of Minnesota's first major industries was born here on August 24, 1839, when the slow, cumbersome up-and-down saw of the Marine Lumber Company cut the first commercial lumber in the state from trees felled in the rich white pine forests of the . . . — — Map (db m45392) HM
On Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
Sawmilling began here on August 24, 1839, when the Marine Lumber Company cut its first pine log.
In the autumn of 1838 two lumbermen from Marine,
Illinois, David Hone and Lewis Judd, arrived in the St. Croix River valley, attracted by it's . . . — — Map (db m51703) HM
Near Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
Sawmills cut logs into rough boards. The boards were then planed and smoothed to emerge as finished lumber.
To your left are the remains of the planing-mill powerhouse. The square stone at the bottom of the ruin once supported a 50-horsepower . . . — — Map (db m54832) HM
“I hope we do everything we can to make certain that we handle this river with wisdom, with justice, with courage.”
Vice President Walter Mondale, co-sponsor of the National Wild and Scenic Rivers Act
You are . . . — — Map (db m147366) HM
Near Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
"... a lonely and forgotten reminder of the hopes of men and of the lusty lumber industry which did much to build an expanding America."
James Taylor Dunn, The St. Croix:
Midwest Border River, 1979
The stone ruins . . . — — Map (db m54137) HM
On 5th Street, 0.1 miles north of Maple Street (County Road 4), on the right when traveling north.
The Marine Township Hall was constructed in 1872 as a meeting hall and jail. The building was erected on property donated by Orange Walker. Its construction was financed by Morgan May who took the town's bonds for the necessary $2,000. Members of . . . — — Map (db m45939) HM
Near Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south.
A Great Pine Forest
The St. Croix River valley's sandy loam soil is ideal for growing pine. In the 19th century its forests were filled with white pines. Many of them were two to three hundred years old, four to five feet in . . . — — Map (db m55015) HM
Near O'Brien Trail North (County Road 33) east of State Route 95, on the right when traveling south.
Lake Alice is named for Alice O'Brien. In 1945, Alice memorialized her father, lumber baron William O'Brien, by donating 180 acres of his former estate to establish the area as a State Park.
This 26-acre lake is as deep as nine feet in some . . . — — Map (db m230827) HM
Near O'Brien Trail N. (County Route 33) east of Minnesota Route 95.
Long before French and British fur traders arrived in the 1600s, Dakota and Ojibwe peoples lived throughout the region, hunting, fishing, ricing, and traveling in birchbark canoes. A profitable fur trade flourished as heavily-laden canoes of furs . . . — — Map (db m232072) HM
Near O'Brien Trail N. (County Route 33) east of Minnesota Route 95.
Reaching 250 feet into the sky, with a diameter of six feet, it is easy to see why the gigantic white pine was called the monarch of the forest. The large white pines you see here today were just seedlings in 1839, when the Marine Lumber Company . . . — — Map (db m232283) HM
Near Saint Croix Trail North (State Highway 95) 1.5 miles north of Chestnut Street, on the left when traveling north.
William O'Brien State Park was established in 1945 with a donation to the State of Minnesota of 180 acres by Alice O'Brien. This gift was given in memory of her father William O'Brien, who was a pioneer lumberman.
This marker is dedicated to . . . — — Map (db m232285) HM
On Minnesota Route 36, on the right when traveling west.
A replacement bridge crossing between the Stillwater, Minnesota area and the Town of St. Joseph, Wisconsin had been discussed for many years to address traffic congestions, safety, pedestrian use, and maintenance issues on the aging lift bridge. . . . — — Map (db m148113) HM
Near Lookout Trail North, 0.3 miles south of Main Street South (Minnesota Highway 36 / 95), on the left when traveling south.
Waters from merging glaciers several thousand years' ago carved deep valleys for the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. Deprived of the glacial waters the rivers were so reduced in volume and carrying power that they were unable to maintain clear . . . — — Map (db m233489) HM
On Lookout Trail at Peadbody Avenue N, on the left when traveling south on Lookout Trail.
Putting America to Work
In 1929, the Great Depression swept America and millions were left without work. To help the country through these tough times, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created several federal work programs lasting from 1933 to . . . — — Map (db m201260) HM
On Minnesota Route 36, on the right when traveling west.
The St. Croix Crossing is an extradosed bridge design—described as a hybrid between a girder bridge and a cable- stayed bridge. The extradosed design was chosen because its signature qualities complement the natural attributes of the river valley. . . . — — Map (db m233504) HM
Both Native Americans and early pioneers used the St. Croix River and its tributaries as highways. Canoes were the prevalent mode of travel through the waterways. The Palmyra was the first steamboat to dip its paddles into the St. Croix River, . . . — — Map (db m148107) HM
Near Minnesota Route 36, on the right when traveling west.
Before Wisconsin became a state in 1848, controversy surrounded the location of its northwestern boundary. Interests in the St. Croix Valley wanted to be excluded from the new state. They anticipated having greater influence in a separate state . . . — — Map (db m233436) HM
On Olinda Trail, on the right when traveling north.
[west face]
1850 1900
In memory of the First Swedish Settlers in Minnesota
[south face]
1850 – 1900
Oscar Roos, Carl Fernstrom och August Sansahl från Vestergötland, Sverige, bosatte sig å detta hemman omkring den 18 . . . — — Map (db m118710) HM
On Olinda Trail (County Highway 3) at 209th St N, on the right when traveling south on Olinda Trail.
The first Swedes arrived in the territory of Minnesota in 1850, settling in Scandia. By 1920 nearly a quarter of Minnesota's foreign-born residents were from Sweden, making it the home of more Swedes than any other state. About half lived in . . . — — Map (db m207127) HM
On Myrtle Street at the St. Croix Riverfront, on the left when traveling east on Myrtle Street.
On Easter Sunday April 18, 1965 floodwaters of the St. Croix River crested here at 694.07 ft. above sea level, highest stage ever recorded at this point, and 19 ft. above normal. A mile-long dike built by hundreds of volunteer workers, including . . . — — Map (db m78691) HM
On Main Street (State Highway 95) at Myrtle Street, on the right when traveling south on Main Street.
On this site, in the frontier river settlement of Stillwater, sixty-one delegates from the vast unorganized wilderness west of the St. Croix assembled on August 26, 1848 to hold the Minnesota Territorial Convention. In this convention the name . . . — — Map (db m136724) HM
On Pine Street at 3rd Street (County Route 23), on the left when traveling west on Pine Street.
In honor and remembrance of all Washington County veterans.
This monument was made possible by the generous donation of the Margaret Rivers Fund and other contributors. — — Map (db m78708) WM
Near St. Crois Trail North (State Highway 95) 0.1 miles north of Laurel Street East, on the left when traveling north.
In this ravine at daybreak July 3, 1839, a war party of Sioux overtook a body of Chippewa returning from Fort Snelling where a Sioux had been killed by another Chippewa. A bloody battle took place in which the Chippewa losses were about 50 killed . . . — — Map (db m207756) HM
Near Walnut Street West, west of 3rd Street South, on the right when traveling west.
Minnesota Territory 1849 – 1858
On March 3, 1849, during his last hours in office, President James K. Polk signed a bill adding a new name to the American political landscape – Minnesota Territory. A vast land, it stretched from . . . — — Map (db m43908) HM
Near Osgood Avenue North (County Highway 24) 0.3 miles north of State Highway 36, on the left when traveling north.
Samuel Bloomer,
Married
Miss Nellie
Pressnell,
who was born in Shipton-
Under-Wychwood, England,
Aug. 10, 1845.
Children:
Chas. H. Bloomer,
Born Sept. 27, 1866,
Died Apr. 25, 1891.
Grace G Bloomer
Born Feb. 18, 1872, . . . — — Map (db m72008) HM WM
On Laurel Street east of Main Street North (Minnesota Route 95), on the right when traveling east.
A Trail for All Seasons
Opened in 2014, the Brown's Creek State Trail connects Stillwater with the Gateway State Trail. Nearly six miles long, the path travels along forests, ponds, Brown's Creek and the St. Croix River. Along the way . . . — — Map (db m233502) HM
Near Pine Street West west of Third Street South (County Highway 23), on the right when traveling west.
This was the site of the
Stillwater High School from 1887 - 1994.
The Stillwater Veterans Memorial was built on this historic site and dedicated on Memorial Day 2004. The plaques on the Wall of Honor spire list the names of veterans who . . . — — Map (db m72045) HM
On Pine Street West at Third Street South (County Highway 23), on the left when traveling west on Pine Street West.
Dedicated to the
Soldiers and Sailors of the
United States
Enlisting or Residing in
Washington County
———
Erected by the Citizens of
Washington County
1916
center panel
Minnesota
Alcorn James 2nd Cav. . . . — — Map (db m72153) WM
The earliest mills depended on water to power their saws. But in 1855, the Hersey, Staples Company (later Hersey & Bean) built the first steam powered sawmill on the St. Croix on this location just south of Stillwater. Steam powered a mechanized . . . — — Map (db m148719) HM
Near Pine Street West west of Third Street South (County Highway 23), on the right when traveling west.
Veterans Memorial
Dedicated 2004
These plaques form a Wall of Honor that bears the names of the more than 100 service personnel who attended Stillwater area schools and lost their lives in times of war.
Veterans, living or dead, . . . — — Map (db m72031) WM
On Chestnut Street East east of Water Street South, on the right when traveling east.
Stillwater-Houlton Interstate Bridge Opened July 1, 1931 has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior — — Map (db m155496) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 95) 0.6 miles north of Elm Street East, on the left when traveling north.
Here in 1839, in Crawford County, Wisconsin Territory, Joseph R. Brown, first settler of this valley, laid out the town of Dahcotah. The following year as a member of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, Brown secured passage of a bill setting up . . . — — Map (db m233073) HM
On North Main Street (State Highway 95) south of Laurel Street East, on the left when traveling north.
In 1849, the Governor of the new Territory of Minnesota, Alexander Ramsey, urged the Territorial Legislature to provide for a "proper and safe place of confinement" for prisoners of the territory. Because of Ramsey's request, the Legislature . . . — — Map (db m43747) HM
On Chestnut Street (State Highway 36) at Main Street (State Highway 95), on the left when traveling east on Chestnut Street.
This flag, which once flew over the United States Capitol in Washington D.C., now flies proudly over Main Street, Stillwater, Minnesota.
It is placed as a memorial to all Veterans, who in times of wars and in times of peace, throughout the . . . — — Map (db m78689) WM
Near Walnut Street West, west of 3rd Street South, on the right when traveling west.
Minnesota's first courthouse, a three-room frame structure erected at the corner of 4th and Chestnut Street in Stillwater in 1849, had become inadequate by 1866. On November 6 of that year, Washington County voters approved funds for the . . . — — Map (db m171962) HM
On Norell Avenue North (County Route 55) south of 120th Street North, on the right when traveling south.
Yours are not the first feet to tread this bit of land. Yours are not the first eyes to gaze into this beautiful forest. And yours will not be the last.
In 1858, Washington County purchased 207 acres of land for a Poor Farm. Residents . . . — — Map (db m233581) HM
On Brown's Creek State Trail (at milepost 2) west of Stonebridge Trail N. (County Route 55), on the right when traveling west.
Look toward the creek and you'll see Minnesota's oldest remaining stone arch bridge, a relic of the Point Douglas-St. Louis River Military Road. Stretching from the mouth of the St. Croix River to Lake Superior, the 185-mile road opened the . . . — — Map (db m232817) HM
On Neal Avenue N. at the Brown's Creek State Trail, on the right when traveling south on Neal Avenue N..
Explore the Trail
If you go east, you will catch glimpses of the Brown's Creek stream as you pass through open fields, shady ravines and golf courses. You can also see Minnesota's oldest standing stone bridge. At the eastern end, . . . — — Map (db m233733) HM
Near Saint Croix Trail North (State Highway 95 at milepost 101).
From 1856 to 1914, the St. Croix Boom was the logging industry center on the St. Croix River–the place where logs cut from northern forests entered the marketplace.
Each spring, loggers harnessed the river's powerful current to float their . . . — — Map (db m233850) HM
Near Saint Croix Trail North (State Highway 95) 1 mile north of Dellwood Road (State Highway 96), on the right when traveling north.
The site of this tablet marks the northern limit of Lake St. Croix, impounded by the natural dam of sand and gravel, made by the Mississippi where it is joined by the St. Croix River, twenty miles below Stillwater. The valley, with its steep . . . — — Map (db m233569) HM
Near Saint Croix Trail North (State Highway 95 at milepost 101).
As the St. Croix logging industry center, the Boom Site bustled with activity beginning in June and ending when all of the logs were sorted from the river, usually in August but sometimes as late as October. At the height of operations, around 600 . . . — — Map (db m233570) HM
Near Norell Avenue N. (County Route 55) south of 120th Street N., on the right when traveling south.
The Gateway trail travels through a landscape that was once dominated by oak forest, oak savanna, brush land and prairie openings. Today small remnants of these plant communities can still be enjoyed along the trail providing a unique . . . — — Map (db m232836) HM
On Saint Croix Trail (State Highway 95 at milepost 101), 1.3 miles north of Dellwood Road (State Highway 96), on the right when traveling north.
Center of log and lumbering activities in this region for over half a century prior to 1914.
Here millions of logs from the upper St. Croix and tributaries were halted, sorted, and rafted, later to be sawed into lumber and timber products. . . . — — Map (db m233571) HM