Taylors Falls in Chisago County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Folsom House

By Keith L, June 11, 2011

1. Folsom House Marker

Inscription. William Henry Carmen Folsom, St. Croix River Valley lumberman and land speculator, chose this imposing site for his home in 1854. He, his wife Mary Jane, and their two small sons lived in an open barn on this property to prove up the claim while the five-bedroom home, reflecting both Federal and Greek Revival styles, was constructed. In 1855, after the family moved in, Mary Jane wrote to relatives in Maine, "We shall have plenty of room for as many as will come."

W.H.C. Folsom arrived in Taylors Falls in 1850 and actively involved himself in both the business and community development of his new home. Although he ran a store for 24 years, Folsom also helped operate a gristmill, a copper mining company, a bridge company, and a cemetery association. A member of the 1857 state constitutional convention. Folsom served five terms as state senator and one as representative. In his spare time, he wrote "Fifty Years in the Northwest," which is still a respected source of information on the early years of settlement in the area.

Once a wagon shed and stable, barn, icehouse, chicken coop, outhouse and wellhouse surrounded the main building. Of these, only the wellhouse remains, although the present garage was made with timbers from the barn.

[Seals of the Natural Resources Fund and The Minnesota
By Keith L, June 11, 2011

2. Folsom House and Marker
Historical Society]
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society
1970

Erected 1970 by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Marker series. This marker is included in the Minnesota Historical Society marker series.

Location. 45° 24.026′ N, 92° 39.242′ W. Marker is in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, in Chisago County. Marker is on West Government Street 0.1 miles south of First Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 272 West Government Street, Taylors Falls MN 55084, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Taylors Falls United Methodist Church (within shouting distance of this marker); Town House School (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Chisago Hotel (about 600 feet away); Glacial Potholes (about 700 feet away); Geology of the Taylors Falls Region (approx. 0.2 miles away); Interstate Park Centennial (approx. 0.6 miles away in Wisconsin); State Park Movement in Wisconsin (approx. 0.6 miles away in Wisconsin); Where Are The Falls of the St. Croix? (approx. 0.9 miles away in Wisconsin). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Taylors Falls.

Also see . . .
1. Folsom House

Folsom House image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 11, 2011

3. Folsom House

. Minnesota Historical Society. (Submitted on July 2, 2011.)

2. Taylors Falls Historical Society. Facebook. (Submitted on July 2, 2011.)

3. Taylors Falls. (Submitted on July 2, 2011.)
4. William H. C. Folsom - Open Library. Fifty Years in the Northwest. (Submitted on July 2, 2011.)

Additional keywords. Angel's Hill Historic District NRHP #72000675

Categories. • Settlements & Settlers •

By Keith L, June 11, 2011

4. Folsom House

Nearby Town House School image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, June 11, 2011

5. Nearby Town House School

Minnesota's Oldest Existing Public School House
Built 1852

Town House School image. Click for full size.

By Keith L, July 23, 2011

6. Town House School

By Keith L, July 23, 2011

7. Town House School

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on July 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 783 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 2, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 6, 7. submitted on August 10, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.