Recollection of River Falls Past

Joel Foster, a Connecticut native and the first white settler in this area, wrote this to his brother in 1848:

"I think I have found the New England of the Northwest, the same pure water, the same speckled trout, the same sumac, elder, etc.... It looks as though the Almighty made this portion of our country first and made it on a perfect system, piling rocks up in beautiful mounds, spreading over them sufficient soil to dress and beautify."

Many who followed reacted the same way.

"It is a healthy place. The water is pure and the abundance of speckled trout in all the streams furnishes rare sport..." wrote W.L. Beeman in a 1900 characterization of River Falls.

River Falls still has its pure water and speckled trout. Today, River Falls is also home to a prosperous business community, several small industrial, a vibrant university and diverse citizenry.

The county line for Pierce and St. Croix divides the city. Appropriately, the line is Division Street.

River Falls was incorporated in April 1885, by the State Legislature.

In River Falls' early years, the river was the focus of travel and commerce. Settlers took advantage of the river's power to build sawmills, brick kilns, flour mills, a barrel factory and a pickle and sauerkraut factory, among others.

The early settlers also built churches, public and private schools, stores and other businesses. The first newspaper - The River Falls Journal - began publishing in 1857.

Ruins

Lime Kiln

Lime Kiln Plaque (click to enlarge)

Old Mill Pond Boat House