The weekly Minnesotian., 1854-02-04
Correspondence of the Minncsotian.)
Towns of the Saint Croix Valley.


Towns of the Saint Croix Valley.
SALTWATER, Feb. l, 1854
Mr. EpIron-In my last communication. l
gave you few items in regard to the general
business of the st. Croix valley. l now pro-
pose to take look at the towns which have
sprung into existence, and which are supported
and kept in a healthy state by the business
aforesaid The towns of the st. CroiX both on
the Wisconsin and Minnesota sides, have not
been brought out under the patronage of spec
ulators but have been laid out, and improved,
by actual settlers and it has been, and is now,
difficult matter for any other than a person
who will improve the lots, to buy one at any
price. SALTWATER, the largest of the towns on
the Minnesota side, was surveyed and laid out
in September. 1913, by John Mckusick, and by
its streets is divided into 46 blocks, which are
again divided into 5l7 lots the size of which
range from 20 by 60 feet, to IS by $50. suitable
to the wants OF traders. mechanics. and for res
! licences. About Onc-third Of the lots are i'm
proved and occupied by the owners thereof.
This town is the county scat Of Washington
county, and has about $50 inhabitants !; there
are 2 Saw-mils, ) Hotels, l Court House.
Drug Store, 5 Stores, 3 Churches. and a CORE
spending number of carpenter blacksmith and
shoemakcrs shops. The United States Land
Office is located here. where any amount of
land can be had at one dollar and quarter per
! acre. ana not II cent less.
The Minnesota Pcntcntiary is located within
the limits of the town. There has been expen-
ded for its construction thus far the sum of S32- :
800. AS this is the highest point to which the
regular packet lines of steamboats, run. (unless
they have full cargocs for the towns aboyc)
there is II very large amount Of business done
in the way of receiving, storing and furnishing
supplies for the Lumbcrmcn. 1t is estimated
that onchalf or more of all the articles used in
fbo 1t,,,I 1,,,. of
river. is put on shore at this place The four
principal business firms of the place. viz: Short,
Proctor & Co, II. X. Mckinstry 4 CO.. McComb
4 Simpson. and Durklco Il Mower, trade to the
amount of 100000 per annum
Good wharvcs and deep water facilitate the
operations of steamboatncn. As light draft
boats only can run above this point most of the
year, it must always do a large business in
storing and forwarding as we'll as in furnishing g
supplies. \ large addition to the town has
been laid out. A large steam mill costing
$50 900 is being erected by a company from st.
f Louis and viii he in operation during the COM
ing summer. Another mill site has lately been
purchased by an eastern company who will, it
is understood: build large mill the coming
season. Good schools are kept summer and
. winter.
The next oldest town on record is PorNT
norGIAs. This town is situated on the point
of land between the river Saint Croix and
, Mississippi Immediately at the junction. 1t was
, laid out in lSl9, hy David Hone and Burris &
lIurtzcll. and is divided into II blocks, which
are subdividcd into 1873 lots. averaging so hy
l50 feet in size There is good steamboat
landing OH both rivers and the ground is high
and well located. Two stores, Il hotel, school
house, and fifteen to twenty neat ard well-fi
ished private houses make up the place. 1t is
backed by rich farming country. This town
is also in WaShiurfoa cuuctv
Next in order as to age, comes the town O!
TAILok's FALLS the county scat of Chisago
county. This town is situated at Tayler's
Falls the actual head of navigation for steam
boats, &c, on the st. Croix river. The town
was laid off in 1851 by ]. l.. & n. C. D. Taylor
1t is divided into G3 lots, which range in size
) from 35 10y 80 to l25 by l27 feet. The lots are
well located for stores, shops and private resi-
dcnccs. There are two large stores with large
warehouses connected, 2 hotels. grist mill, l
large end well-fnishcd building used for a
schoolhousc and for meetings, and Is to 20
private houses mostly two stories high and all
well finished There is also 4 good steamboat
landing As this place is at the head of navi-
cation, and can always be reached by light
: draught Eoats at the lowest stage ofwater. and
as most Of the supplies for the use OF the men
engaged in logging have to pass this point, or
are purchased here it is now and always will
continue to be a most important point. 1t is
estimated that the two houses of Taylor & Fox
and w. II. G. Folsom trade to the amount of
$50, 900 per year. most of which is in connec-
tion with the numbering business. At this
place the St Croix river can be bridged at a
trifing expense. The river is narrow-sOld
trap-rock banks--and the bridge would be
twenty feet above hgh-water mark. and which
being placed above the highest point that boats
ever can reach, would not interfere with nayi-
CATION. At no other place for $50 miles above
the mouth can the Saint CroS be bridged with
out large outlay. Taylor's Falls and Saltwater
.bavc a more substantial, reliable, and rapidly
increasing business, with more capital and less
pccuniary cmbarrassments than any other towns
in Minnesota"
Travelling by the record, we next go to LAKE
LAND, town situated between Saltwater and
Point Douglas. 1t is in Washington county,
and was laid ont in 1852 by Moses Perrin ; il is
divided into Is blocks which are subdivided
into $50 lots. steam saw-mill. with capital
of $4,000, together with a store and several
private houses, make up the town. 1t is well
located, has good landing, and lots are cheap.
Next comes MARINE, lying in Washington
county, between Saltwater aud Taylor's Falls,
and although it is an old settlement for a new