Near River Falls in St. Croix County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Edgar Wilson Nye

1850 – 1896

Photographed By Keith L, July 21, 2008

1. Edgar Wilson Nye Marker

Inscription. "Bill" Nye, journalist, lecturer, author, and humorist, grew to manhood in this quiet valley of the Kinnickinnic, which flows southwesterly through River Falls. The tall-tales of frontier humor were popular regionally before 1860. Samuel Clemens (Mark Twain) and Bill Nye widely popularized similar exaggerations until they were considered typically American. In the country church, three-fourths mile eastward, Bill Nye practiced public speaking to empty pews. He was then a student at River Falls Academy, now State University. The family homestead is three-fourths mile south of the church. He delighted his audiences by referring to it as "a hundred and sixty acres of beautiful ferns and bright young rattlesnakes." Ferns are few, and the snakes are gone if they were ever there.

Erected 1968 by the Wisconsin Historical Society. (Marker Number 165.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Education. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 44° 54.702′ N, 92° 33.504′ W. Marker is near River Falls, Wisconsin, in St. Croix County. Marker is on State Highway 65, 0.1

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miles south of Town Hall Road (County Highway J), on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: River Falls WI 54022, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. German Settlement (approx. 4.6 miles away); 112 Walnut Street (approx. 10.7 miles away); Hudson Toll Bridge (approx. 10.7 miles away); In the Summer of 1910 (approx. 10.8 miles away); Louis Massey (approx. 10.9 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 12.9 miles away); New Richmond Cyclone (approx. 13.6 miles away); Camp Nine School (approx. 13.8 miles away).

Also see . . . Edgar Wilson Nye. "The Boomerang was founded while Nye was the postmaster of Laramie City, Wyoming Territory. It launched him to national fame, gaining subscribers in every state and some foreign countries." (Submitted on August 3, 2008.)

Photographed By Keith L, July 21, 2008

2. Edgar Wilson Nye Marker

Edgar Wilson Nye, Known as "Bill" image. Click for full size.

Internet Archive

3. Edgar Wilson Nye, Known as "Bill"

from Ten Wise Men and Some More by William Lightfoot Visscher, 1909, Page 86.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 28, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,735 times since then and 147 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 3, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on December 27, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.