Historical St. Croix Valley

Historically the St. Croix River served as a natural passage between Lake Superior and the Mississippi River Valley. For centuries the river facilitated travel, exploration and commerce; and the valley’s natural resource wealth has drawn numerous cultures — Native peoples, the lumber and fur trade and European immigrants have all used the river for transportation and sustenance.

The St. Croix valley of today is a premier natural and scenic landscape with a National Scenic Riverway, a Minnesota Scenic Byway and near-wilderness solitude interspersed between historic river communities that were the first modern settlements in Minnesota. The story of the birth of Minnesota more than 150 years ago is just one of the experiences modern visitors should expect to encounter in a visit to the St. Croix River valley.

Historic Buildings Territorial State Prison Buildings Historic Washington County Courthouse Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Depot and Freight House Marine on St. Croix Historic District	Historic Sites Arcola Mills Site The Hinckley Fire Memorial State Prison Historic District Stillwater Bridge	Museums Afton Historical Society Museum Chisago County Historical Society Gammelgarden Museum The Hinckley Fire Museum Warden’s House Museum Washington County Historical Society	Nature Areas/Parks Afton State Park Carpenter Nature Center William O’Brien State Park Interstate State Park Wild River State Park St. Croix State Park Banning State Park