Discover Stillwater's Lumberjack Lore and Rich Rivertown History

See the Sights by Boat, Trolley, Carriage, Gondola, Balloon, Bike or Foot

Stillwater, MN Visitors to Stillwater will be amazed at all there is to do as well as the many different ways to explore the city. For detailed information on tour options, visit www.discoverstillwater.com. One of the best ways to start off your visit is with a historic narrated trolley tour that transports you back in time as you learn about the colorful history of this lumber boom town gone bust. The tour begins along the St. Croix riverfront, once humming and hustling with saw mills, trains and paddle wheelers which steamed up river full of wealthy southerners and aristocrats who took advantage of cooler summers and fabulous scenery. You’ll see the mansions of the wealthy lumber barons, the city’s parks, overlooks, and historic sites and hear tales of ties to the rich and famous who frequented the town as well as the lumberjacks who worked the world’s largest pine forests and even the body hunters who worked the rive! rs. www.stillwatertrolley.com

Another way to step back in time is to book a horse and carriage ride which picks up just outside of Luna Rossa, one of the town’s premier Italian restaurants. Luna Rossa also coordinates $5 tours of Stillwater’s limestone caves which were used as a brewery in the 1800s. www.lunarossawinebar.com. For a birds’ eye view from the air, consider a hot air balloon ride, which gives a breathtaking view of the river valley, especially in the autumn months when fall colors peak. www.stillwaterballoons.com

Rolling on the River

To explore the town by river, board the Andiamo paddle wheel boats for a lunch or dinner cruise along the St. Croix, www.stillwaterriverboats.com or arrange a romantic private cruise aboard an authentic Venetian gondola. Pack a picnic for a 20 minute excursion, pair it with dinner at the nearby Dock Café or take an hour long cruise complete with 5-course dinner. www.gondolaromantica.com. Traveling with a group? Rent a pontoon for the day at the Stillwater Boat Club and bring along your own food and beverages. www.stillwaterboatrentals.com.

Stillwater is very walkable and you can get your exercise by biking, or hiking up the five sets of steep stairs (of the original 18) that lead from downtown up into the bluffs of the residential areas. Highlights on walking routes include Chilikoot Hill, which at a 24% grade is the steepest climb for the Nature Valley Grand Prix pro bike race each June, or Pioneer Park at the top of 2nd & Cherry which was the homesite of the great lumber baron Isaac Staples. A couple of miles north of town the Boomsite rest area offers one of the greatest panoramic views of the river as well as the landmark 1931 Stillwater Lift Bridge.

Stillwater’s downtown Main Street is loaded with boutiques, antique shops, books stores, independent restaurants, bars and even a winery. Northern Vineyards has been producing fine wines from locally grown grapes since 1983 and now offers some 30 varieties. Stop by the shop for a $5 wine tasting (refunded with purchase) or consider a tour of the winery with a group of 10 or more. www.northernvineyards.com. If a cup of tea is more your style, drop into Aprille’s Showers for a cup, or opt for lunch, dessert or high tea with delicate sandwiches, scones and pastries. www.aprilleshowers.com.

Stillwater Historic Sites

As the birthplace of Minnesota, Stillwater has a long history dating back to 1848, the year before Minnesota became a territory. The town’s population at the time was about 500, just shy of the 640 residents than inhabited Saint Paul. While both cities were considered contenders for the territorial capital, in the end community leaders decided that Saint Paul would be designated the capital city and Stillwater would be awarded the Territorial Prison – after all, there was more money to be made as the prison site, as Stillwater was able to charge other counties for the upkeep on their prisoners.

And so the first Territorial Prison was constructed in 1853. The original prison site at the north end of Main Street has now been converted to condominiums, but the Warden’s House now serves as a museum of the area and is open to visitors Thurs-Sundays from 1-5 pm. In addition to prison artifacts and records, including biographical information on its most notorious prisoners, the Younger Brothers, the museum showcases outstanding photos and tools of the fabled Lumberjack era as ell as well as period clothing, recreational gear and appliances, including early versions of the pop-up toaster, invented by Stillwater resident Charles Strite. The original prison closed in 1914 when a new facility was constructed just south of town. Stillwater is still in the prison business operating the Stillwater State Prison in Bayport and the Oak Park Heights Maximum Security Prison, which opened in 1982. www.wchsmn.org

Other historic gems in Stillwater include the original Isaac Staples Mill, located just south of the Warden’s Museum, which now houses a sprawling antique shop and the Stillwater Public Library circa 1902, one of thousands of libraries built by Andrew Carnegie at the turn of the century. The library was extensively renovated and expanded in 2006 and also is a popular social venue site. www.stillwaterlibrary.org The Historic Courthouse is the oldest in Minnesota, dating from1870. This distinctive Italianate-style landmark designed by Saint Paul architect Augustus Knight served as the county’s administrative and judicial center until 1975. Now a popular site for weddings, receptions, meetings and special events, the facility offers free tours of the building and old jail. Guided tours are available Mon-Thurs at 3 pm. www.co.washington.mn.us/hc[Back to Press Releases Main]