River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1889-01-10
OUR RESOURCES.

River Falls is not backward in 9th.
er respects. Pleasant homes attest
the thrifty habits of its citizens. In.
deed, so little of the venturesome is
found in the character of the business
men, so few came to the place with
speculative notions, that failure
among the merchants is practically
unheard of. The streets are eighty
feet wide, and one is one hundred feet
from side to side. Two iron bridges
costing about $4,000 each span the
river, and were paid for in cash when
built, for with all her improvements
the little village owes only $1,000. To
protect the business houses and resi-
dences, hand engine and hose cart
were purchased and an organized
force of fifty men bring them into use
when necessary. A system of els
terms, each holding 200 barrels of wat
er, furnishes an ample supply of that
article. The assessed valuation on
the basis of one-half the real value is
about 100000. Perhaps the easiest
way to show the business of River
Falls is TO give the freight shipments
for year. During that period $500
cars came in loaded with merchandise
for this village, and during the same
time 5000 cars bear to the outside
world the local contributions, among
them being 100 car loads of oats. so
car loads of barley. 300 cars filled with
hay, 200 cars loaded with potatoes and
1900 bushels of strawberries. This
is the greatest strawberry point in
Wisconsin, the shipment during the
season often amounting to car day.
During twelve months l.400 car loads
of wheat are shipped in, 1000 car
loads of -four being sent out to keep
the balance even. Besides being an
enterprising community. River Falls
is a desirable location for a home.
The scenery round about
Is VERY ATTRACTIVE,
the village itself is in keeping with its
surroundings and the distance from
the great cities of the Northwest is
but two hours ride. The society is
that of a cultured community. The
churches are consequently well-to-do.
The Congregationalists number lS6
and have church worth $1,000; the
Episcopalians, while few in number,
have very pretty edillce, worth
about $4,000; the Methodists have l2s
communicates and property to the ex.
tent of $1,000; the Baptists are a
small society, but possess a tasty
building valued at 81, 900; The Cath
Ollie society. of 300 members, is main.
ly scattered in the country, but has
church worth about $1,000. The
CT vic societies are represented by a
lodge and chapter of Masons with a
membership of go; the odd Fellows
with IS members; the United work.
men with As members. The temper
ance societies are represented by the
Good Templars, 40 in number, and
the w. G. Il. U. with 81 members
while 40 young ladies belong to the
Young Ladies union. Two halls, one
having a seating capacity for loo
people, give ample room for all travel
ing shows or for local entertainments
In schools River Falls is at. the
front. A handsome building costing
in the neighborhood OF $4,000 was
erected lately, and has ample room
for the 800 pupils that daily attend
Seven teachers are required to in.
struct them and every faculty is be-
ing furnished by the board TO aid in
this work. There are six depart
ments, graded from the primary to
the high school, which graduated its
fifth class last year.-PiOReer Press.