Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-12-06
TAYLORS FALLS.
One of the Important Towns In the State
Its Good Water Power and Fine
Prospects.

One of the Important Towns In the State
Its Good Water Power and Fine
Prospects.
Correspondence st. Paul Globe.
Among the important railroad connec-
ions which st. Paul is constantly acquir ing
her recent connection with Taylors Falls,
Mimi, and st. Croix Falls, Wis, by means
of the new line lately constructed from Wyo-
ming. on the Duluth road to Taylors Falls,
should not be lost sight of. The two towns
above mentioned lie on the east and west
banks respectively of the st. Croix river and
are the csnters of one of the finest sections
of country in the Northwest, the st. Croix
valley, which while having one of the best
wooded sections, both pine and hard wood
of all kinds, and superior qualities abo und-
ing, produces annually nearly half million
bushels of a very superior grade of wheat.
While Capt. Reaney's fine line of st. Croix
packets have during the past few seasons
brought thousands of strangers up the St.
Croix, through the Dalles, up to the foot of
the falls, thrilled by the wild romance and
unsurpassed loveliness of the magnificent
scenery which surrounds them, yet very few,
we opine, have given thought to the wonder
full natural advantages this locality prom
ises.
Some one has said that there are two fac
tors, which when united build thriving
city, viz:-nature and wealth. When capt.
tel properly directed develops neutral ad-
vantages locality may possess, good town
or thriving city is usually the result. Un-
fortunately, while possessing some of the
grandest of natural advantages in the world,
capital has not aided but rather hindered the
development of this point. Nowhere in
the country does SO grand water power
exist at the very head of navigation as at the
falls on the st. Croix. There is fall of over
seventy feet in about five miles, with an
abundance of water sufficient to turn un-
numbered wheels, and trap rock to warrant
permanence in any improvement. Major
Allen, United States engineer corps, in his
report says that for the past two years more
water has flowed over the falls here than
over the more famous falls of st. Anthony.
Many years ago Caleb Gushing, B. F. Butler
and a few others of like ilk, obtained posses.
sion of this immense power and vast tracts
of the surrounding country, and while being
unable or unwilling to invest capital in its
development, fell to wrangling among them
selves, and tedious and exhaustive lawsuits
have been the order ever since, spelling the
substance of the owners and preventing tho
sale of this property of untold value to those
more able and willing to improve it. Hap
PLY, all litigation has at length ceased, and
it is now offered to capitalists at reasonable
figures and clear title. Taylors Falls pos
sesses 200 inhabitants, lies finely to the
sun, and is protected by range of wooded
hills on the west from the fierce blasts which
make some of our western towns disagree
able. Numerous springs of the purest water
abound, and since its railroad connection it
is a desirable we'll ae a very healthy locaii-
ty for residence.
st. Croix Falls, on the Wisconsin side, is
q thriving hamlet with gravel country back
of it, famous for its splendid springs, which
are numerous and of wonderful capacity,
and of being the home of Judge FL. d. Bar
ron. On both sides of the river strong indi-
cations of copper abound and prospecting
has already been quite extensive, develop
ing the existence of the ore in large quanti
ties. AS this point is on the great Penokee
range, rich in minerals from Superior down,
generous return for capital invested in
opening and operating mines here may be
expected. Elevators are already up 10 re-
oeive the present crop of wheat, and business
generally has received great stimulus
since the iron horse arrived. What is now
needed is men of capital, practical
energetic business men to touch the
hidden wealth its natural resources
afford, and q second great
manufacturing center will be be built up
here, floating its proceeds from its very
door to the outside world or up upon wheels
wherever desired. Regular trains daily and
return connect st. Paul and Taylors Falls,
and Taylors Falls and Minneapolis, and
the sad-eyed old burghers who for the past
thirty years have turned their longing faces
toward the outside world can come down this
winter and visit the legislature and do
the two townssand return this winter by
cars.