Marine on St. Croix in Washington County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Historic Marine on St. Croix

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, March 27, 2020

1. Historic Marine on St. Croix/St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Marker

Inscription. 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 forests were floating here to Marine Mills, site of the first commercial sawmill in what was to become the state of Minnesota.

Marine on St. Croix, as the village is known today, still reflects the heritage of its New England lumbermen founders and the Swedish immigrants who journeyed up the river to find work at the mill and establish homesteads. Historic homes and buildings look much as they did in the 1800s.

The lumber company store (established 1849) moved to a new building in 1870s, where it still serves the community today as the Marine General Store. Marine Village Hall (1888) is the oldest town hall in Minnesota still used for government functions.

You are invited to explore the village and tour the Marine Mill Historic Site, located along the stream that once powered the sawmill and drew settlers here.

Photo captions
Steam Riverboats, Marine Landing, July 4, 1887. The river served as the main route for transporting people and goods in the 1800s, since the road from Stillwater to Taylors Falls was often muddy, rutted and impassable.

Map:
1. Trail to St. Croix River
2. Food
3. Village Hall & Library
4. Marine Mill Historic Site
5. Service Station/gas
6. Marine Fire Museum
7. Picnic

Erected 2017.

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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1837.

Location. 45° 11.917′ N, 92° 46.133′ W. Marker is in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, in Washington County. It is on Third Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marine on Saint Croix MN 55047, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: St. Croix National Scenic Riverway (here, next to this marker); Marine (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Marine Mill Site (about 300 feet away); a different

Photographed by Fitzie Heimdahl, March 27, 2020

2. Historic Marine on St. Croix/St. Croix National Scenic Riverway Marker

marker also named Marine (about 400 feet away); Early Settler's Cabin (about 600 feet away); The Marine Township Hall (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lake Alice (approx. 1.8 miles away); Wedge Hill (approx. 1.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marine on St. Croix.

Other markers no longer nearby. Technological Revolution (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Boom, Then Bust (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Pineries are Gone (was about 300 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Powerhouse and Kiln (was about 400 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Minnesota's First Commercial Sawmill (was about 500 feet away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on March 27, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,079 times since then and 126 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 27, 2020, by Fitzie Heimdahl of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.