Marine on St. Croix in Washington County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Powerhouse and Kiln
Photographed by Keith L, July 23, 2011
1. Powerhouse and Kiln Marker
Sawmills cut logs into rough boards. The boards were then planed and smoothed to emerge as finished lumber.
To your left are the remains of the planing-mill powerhouse. The square stone at the bottom of the ruin once supported a 50-horsepower steam engine that was fueled by wood shavings. The depression to your right was where freshly planed lumber was kiln-dried to prevent warping. For years, lumber had simply been left outside to dry. Kiln-drying, which became widely used in Minnesota in the latter part of the 19th century, not only speeded up the process but also resulted in a greatly improved product.
Ease and speed
Before steam-power planers were perfected in the 1870s, all the work of smoothing boards was done with hand planes. In 1888, the mill reopened under the management of the Anderson and O'Brien Company with four power planers and a siding mill.
Marine Mill
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series
this page online
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 45° 11.849′ N, 92° 46.103′ W. Marker was in Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota, in Washington County. It could be reached from Judd Street south of Maple Street, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Marine on Saint Croix MN 55047, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker was in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It was also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once Ruperts 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 location, measured as the crow flies: Marine Mill Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Early Settler's Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); Historic Marine on St. Croix (about 400 feet
Photographed by Keith L, July 23, 2011
2. Powerhouse and Kiln Marker
Other markers no longer nearby. Minnesota's First Commercial Sawmill (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it); The Pineries are Gone (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); Technological Revolution (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
More about this marker. [photo captions]
What the planing mill, powerhouse and drying kiln may have looked like in 1888. David Geister rendering (2000), Minnesota Historical Society
Walker, Judd and Veazie Lumber Company planing mill and crew, 1874, Minnesota Historical Society
Also see . . . Minnesota Historical Society. Marine Mill. "Perched on the bluff of the St. Croix River, on a six-acre plot lie remnants of a booming industry long past. In the autumn of 1838 Illinois lumbermen David Hone and Lewis Judd arrived in the St. Croix River valley. Attracted by the area's abundant white pine, they selected this site to build a sawmill and named it after their hometown, Marine, Illinois." (Submitted on April 25, 2012.)
Additional keywords. National Register of Historic Places #70000311
Credits. This page was last revised on January 3, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 677 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 25, 2012, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. The replacement for this marker • Can you help?
