Saint Croix Falls in Polk County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Where are the Falls?
A series of rapids once cascaded 55 feet over six miles down this section of river. Canoes had to be portaged and boats could not travel upriver. The largest "falls" tumbled 20 feet over 100 yards. They provided a natural source of power for sawmills and encouraged the growth of two towns - St. Croix Falls and Taylors Falls.
Construction began in 1904 on a hydroelectric dam that finally subdued the river. As a result, all but the last stretch of rapids (below the Highway 8 bridge) are buried beneath the lake or flowage behind the dam. Minneapolis General Electric began to generate power in 1907 to meet a growing demand.
[Background photo caption reads]
A view of St. Croix Falls from the Minnesota shore, late 1800s.
Courtesy Durand Blanding
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.
Location. 45° 24.966′ N, 92° 38.821′ W. Marker is in Saint Croix Falls, Wisconsin, in Polk County. Marker is on the grounds of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 401 North Hamilton Street, Saint Croix Falls WI 54024, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Gaylord Nelson (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); River Spirit (approx. ¼ mile away); Thompson–Boughton Mill (approx. ¼ mile away); Where Are The Falls of the St. Croix? (approx. ¼ mile away); Saint Croix Falls Hydroelectric Project (approx. 0.3 miles away in Minnesota); The Battle of St. Croix Falls (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Croix Falls Lions Park (approx. 0.8 miles away); Chisago Hotel (approx. one mile away in Minnesota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Croix Falls.
Also see . . .
1. Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway. (Submitted on November 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. St. Croix River Association. (Submitted on November 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 410 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 5, 2014, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. • William J. Toman was the editor who published this page.