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

First Settlement, buildings, steamboat

Photographed by Connor Olson, February 18, 2023

1. First Settlement, buildings, steamboat Marker

Inscription. The Treaty of 1837, made between Wisconsin Territorial Governor Henry Dodge and the Chippewa nation of Indians, ceded to the United States a large area of Chippewa territories, the St. Croix and its headwaters up to a line 30 miles south of Duluth. In return the tribes received specified payments of goods and money and retained rights to hunt, fish and gather on their ceded lands. By the Proclamation of June 15, 1838 the ceded area was officially opened for settlement. Shortly after, Benjamin Baker andJesse Taylor arrived by canoe from Fort Snelling to make a claim on land on the west side of the river, calling it "Taylor's Place." The more turbulent upper end of the rapids were given the name, "Falls of St. Croix", on the original 1847 government Land Survey Map. A "St. Croix Village" is mapped on the east side, but only a single building, labeled "Warehouse," shows west of the river-in reality the Baker-Taylor double log cabin. No "falls" existed on the river, but the rapids made the Taylor site important because it was the farthest upstream steamboats could navigate. Until a railroad was opened in 1880, riverboats

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were the main carriers of goods and passengers to support the town's economy. The photograph from 1875 shows the "Nellie Kent" docked at upper landing. A few downtown buildings are visible on the bluff behind it.

When the first plat was drawn for the new settlement in 1851, the name Taylors Falls was chosen in honor of Jesse W. Taylor.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1851.

Location. 45° 24.089′ N, 92° 39.105′ W. Marker is in Taylors Falls, Minnesota, in Chisago County. It is at the intersection of South Street and Traprock Street, on the left when traveling south on South Street. The marker is located on the Taylors Falls River Walk. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Taylors Falls MN 55084, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself

Photographed by Connor Olson, February 18, 2022

2. First Settlement, buildings, steamboat Marker

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 walking distance of this marker: Chisago Hotel (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Town House School (about 500 feet away); Folsom House (about 700 feet away); Glacial Potholes (approx. 0.2 miles away); Taylors Falls United Methodist Church (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Place that Welcomes Many… (approx. 0.2 miles away); Geology of the Taylors Falls Region (approx. 0.3 miles away); Interstate Park Centennial (approx. half a mile away in Wisconsin). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Taylors Falls.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2023, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 250 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 20, 2023, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.