Eau Claire in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Adin Randall

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 12, 2014

1. Adin Randall Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

   I am prepared to sell business and residence Lots, Farming or Pine Lands, which I offer upon the most reasonable terms, or receive in exchange labor, oxen, horses, lumber, logs, or personal property of whatever name or nature. Call and see if I don't trade with you.        Eau Claire Free Press
           February 17, 1859

   Adin Randall, boundless optimist and horse-trader, added energy and "color" to Eau Claire's formative years. A Yankee carpenter from Madison County, New York, Randall brought his wife, Clamenzia, and infant son, Edgar, to Eau Claire in 1856. Thrilled by the region's vast potential for lumbering, Randall bought and platted land on the west bank of the Chippewa River, and immediately set out to become the town's biggest booster. He schemed with fellow Yankees Daniel Shaw and Jotham Clark to build a canal connecting the Chippewa River to Half Moon Lake, creating a large log holding pond. That same year, he persuaded the firm of Dole, Ingram & Kennedy to buy his portable sawmill. The Empire Lumber Company went on to become one of the most successful operations in Eau Claire.

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For years Ingram was vexed with Randall, who it turned out, had not "exactly" owned the land upon which the mill was built. For his part, Randall was more booster than businessman. Under the weight of multiple mortgages, he lost all claim to West Eau Claire in 1860. Today, a bronze statue stands in the west side's Randall Park, donated, ironically, by Orrin Ingram. Randall's family home is nearby at 526 Menomonie Street.

Sponsored By:
Historic Preservation Foundation - Eau Claire

Erected by the Eau Claire Landmark Commission; Eau Claire Historic Preservation Foundation. (Marker Number 4.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is February 1857.

Location. 44° 48.077′ N, 91° 30.642′ W. Marker is in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in Eau Claire County. Marker is on Menomonie Street west of Fifth Avenue, on the left when traveling west. Marker is on the west bank of the Chippewa River along the Chippewa River Trail. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eau Claire WI 54703, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Water Street (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Ottawa House (about 500 feet away);

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 12, 2014

2. Adin Randall Marker

Chippewa River

John Pinkum House (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Congregational Church Parsonage (approx. 0.3 miles away); Anishinabe Akhi (approx. 0.3 miles away); First Congregational Church / Community House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Coghlan-Foote (approx. 0.4 miles away); The River Did Its Part (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eau Claire.

More about this marker. Regarding "The Home of Old Abe" at the top of the marker – Old Abe, named in honor of President Abraham Lincoln, was an eagle mascot during the Civil War. The eagle accompanied Company C of the 8th Wisconsin Regiment from Eau Claire into every battle and skirmish in which it participated.

Also see . . .
1. Adin Randall. (Submitted on June 27, 2014.)
2. Adin Randall Statue. (Submitted on June 27, 2014.)
3. Adin Randall House. (Submitted on June 27, 2014.)

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 12, 2014

3. Marker and Chippewa River

Nearby Adin Randall House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, June 12, 2014

4. Nearby Adin Randall House

National Register of Historic Places #83003389
Listed January 28, 1983

Adin Randall Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed By K. Linzmeier, July 15, 2014

5. Adin Randall Statue

Adin Randall
Who Gave This Park to the City of Eau Claire · 1857

Credits. This page was last revised on May 18, 2022. It was originally submitted on June 27, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 687 times since then and 118 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 5. submitted on July 27, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.