St. Croix 360

River stories to inspire stewardship.

  • Share News
  • Event Calendar
  • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
  • Support

Map of historic sites in northwest Wisconsin is new resource for St. Croix River stories

Explore the interactive map and learn about the people and places that define a rugged area along the upper river.

By Greg Seitz | November 19, 2018 | 2 minute read

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • LinkedIn
  • Tumblr
  • Pocket
  • Telegram

Rush City Ferry, St. Croix River (Photo courtesy Russ Hanson, Sterling Eureka and Laketown Historical Society)

Russ Hanson of Eureka Township, Wis., working with the Sterling Eureka and Laketown Historical Society, has launched a new map of historic sites in the River Road region, north of St. Croix Falls and south of Grantsburg.

The map already contains more than 160 locations, ranging from homesteads to ferry landings. Russ says he’ll keep adding to it, and welcomes additions.

Russ has been researching and writing about the area for years, including on his blog River Road Ramblings.

Many of the points contain interesting stories from the past two centuries, based on Russ’s extensive research and many stories he has heard firsthand throughout his life and his family’s long residence in the area.

Examples:

  • St Croix River Islands: V. R. Hanson and his brother wintered on the Wisconsin side of the River near here in the 1930s. Some rapids nearby were called the Yellow Pine Rapids. He trapped beaver, mink, muskrats, skunks etc., and described these islands as being honeycombed underneath with old pine logs from the drive days, areas that he could set traps in. He wondered if he whole islands were built from logs holding soil. The depression was on, and folks divided up the river edges for trapping. Furs held good prices — muskrat 60 cents, skunk $1, beaver a few dollars and a mink might bring $10 or $15. That was in the days when a 12 hour work day on a farm might earn you $1 if you could find a job.
  • Joseph Renshaw Brown

    Joseph Renshaw Brown Trading Post: For the winter of 1831-32 former Fort Snelling soldier, then Indian trader, later a politician involved in the beginning of Wisconsin and then Minnesota, had a trading post here. The site was chose as the head of the rapids and so easily accessible by river from the north. It also was near the boundary of Ojibwa to the north and Dakota to the south. Indian agent, Henry Schoolcraft turned down Brown’s request, but when he left on one of his exploratory trips, Brown convinced his temporary replacement to give the permit.

    Schoolcraft was upset, both because Brown went around him, and because he had heard Brown was trading liquor to the Indians, and that it brought two warring tribes to the post trade causing problems.In the spring of 1832, Schoolcraft coming up river met Brown coming down river, stopped him and searched for liquor (unsuccessfully) and then went to the post (listed as across from Wolf Creek) and burned the handful of trading cabins Brown had. This was the beginning of a century and a half of liquor being available at Wolf Creek

Related articles:

Comments

  1. beth j. demars says

    November 22, 2019 at 3:26 pm

    Plenty of history up here at the Headwaters, but no mention…as usual.

  2. Brian Finstad says

    September 1, 2020 at 2:34 pm

    Russ Hanson is an absolute gem. His commitment to his local area and its stories is incredible.

Follow

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Features

Two inches and 6,000 gallons: A swollen century on the St. Croix River

Cold comfort

New preserve will let students, community, and anglers experience the Kinnickinnic River

St. Croix 360 is now 100% supported by readers.

Click here to contribute →

 

Latest News

Progress reported on effort to establish National Heritage Area for St. Croix River region

Afton State Park Phenology Feb. 19 to March 4, 2021

Spring is coming: Officials provide first St. Croix River flood forecast of season

Tax dollars work for water: Legacy Amendment funds will help protect St. Croix River

Watch: A guy’s goats keep him company while he swims the icy St. Croix

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

About

St. Croix 360 builds support for river stewardship, and connects people and organizations. It is an independent news source produced by Greg Seitz, with past support from the St. Croix River Association.

Donate to St. Croix 360 today »

Story of 360

One of the biggest challenges facing the St. Croix River is harmful blooms of algae in in the lower river, due to excess nutrients in runoff. The goal is to restore the river by reducing phosphorus levels to 360 tons/year. Learn more »

Share Your News

St. Croix 360 is powered by a broad community of St. Croix River-loving people. Please visit our submission page to send tips, press releases, and other news.

Submit an Event

Lower St. Croix: St. Croix 360 partners with online calendar St. Croix Splash.

  • Submit your events to Splash.
  • Share it with St. Croix 360 for promotion.

For events elsewhere in the watershed, contact St. Croix 360 directly.

St. Croix 360 Syndication

To help increase awareness of the St. Croix River, news organizations and other outlets are free to share St. Croix 360 content, as long as you follow a few simple rules.

Republish St. Croix 360 stories »

Partners

  • St. Croix River Association
  • St. Croix Watershed Research Station
  • ArtReach St. Croix
  • You and all St. Croix 360's readers!
Handcrafted in May Township, Minnesota. Please contribute today »
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.