History of River Falls

The City of River Falls is situated on land that once belonged to the Dakota (Sioux) nation. Pierce and St. Croix counties were part of the Dakota land, a massive swath of over two million acres in what is now east-central Minnesota and western Wisconsin. These lands were the first of the major land cessions by the Dakota and Ojibwa (Chippewa) people which were ceded in 1837 to the United States government after a series of coercive government practices. 

While the United States government ascribed the land ownership to the Dakota people, present day River Falls was inhabited by two tribal nations: the Dakota and Ojibwe. The relationship between the Dakota and Ojibwe was complex and not always peaceful. However, the peninsula formed by the Saint Croix River and the Mississippi River was considered neutral territory between the tribes. River Falls was situated on the border of each of the tribes’ ranges so saw little permanent long-term occupation by either tribe. Joel Foster, the first white settler in River Falls, wrote about the tribes inhabiting the region - the Sioux (Dakota) and the Chippewa (Ojibwe). He noted that both placed such value on the St. Croix Valley that neither claimed it for themselves. 

Joel Foster was born in 1814 in Meriden, Connecticut, but relocated at about age 16 to Illinois with other family members.  A Mexican War veteran and former ferry boat captain, he had come up from St. Louis, Missouri, in the summer of 1848 seeking a better climate for his health. Disembarking in Stillwater, Minnesota, he overheard some men talking about the advantages and disadvantages of different localities. One of these men told Joel about an ideal location along the Kinnickinnic near the “Falls.”  Foster took a skiff south to Hudson, Wisconsin, and then traveled up the Kinnickinnic River until he reached the falls at the junction of the South Fork and Kinnickinnic. When he arrived at the falls, Foster claimed that he thought he had found, “the New England of the Northwest.”

Foster then returned to St. Louis but at the urging of his brother, decided to spend the winter in River Falls before another explorer could stake a claim. Along with his 20-year-old black, bonded servant, Dick, Foster arrived back in the fall of 1848. They spent the first winter in a log structure they built against an overhanging rock along the banks of the Kinnickinnic River, about a half-mile south of the falls. That winter of 1848-1849 became the first official year of the settlement of River Falls. The next spring, Foster and Dick completed a log structure and added a root cellar near what is now the armory. They called it "Fort Foster". According to Foster’s account published in the River Falls Press in 1876 and reprinted in the History of Washington and St Croix Valley in 1881, the pair broke twenty acres of prairie. He recalled that Dick became of age in the fall of 1849 and was freed. Dick, who according to Foster had also staked a claim, had made arrangements to go to St. Louis to be married and planned to return but never did.

Brothers Nathaniel N. and Oliver S. Powell claimed land in 1850.  They built the first house in 1851. About three years later, the building was converted into a store known as the Pioneer Store. It was located at the southeast corner of Main and Maple Streets and rapidly developed into a hotel, post office, and community headquarters. That same year the Powell brothers built the first sawmill in River Falls. In 1854, the Powell brothers platted the first section in the village - 60 acres on the east side of the town. The brothers platted an additional 120 acres on the west side of the river in 1856.  They set aside one block for River Falls Academy. This site has continuously served as an educational facility and is now the River Falls Public Montessori School. They also donated land for the First Congregational Church, of which they were members, and land for the Methodist Church. Oliver Powell was instrumental in convincing State officials to establish the 4th State Normal School (University of Wisconsin-River Falls) in 1874.

The Kinnickinnic River provided an early source of power.  Four flour mills were established along the river. Enticed by the Powell Brothers in 1854, Charles B. Cox built the Prairie Mill.  Four years later in 1858, C.B. Cox and his partner, Caleb Green, build the Greenwood Mill.  The third and largest of the four mills was built in 1867 by Charles B. Cox and Dr. Abraham D. Andrews. A year later in 1868, William Barker built the Cascade Mill which was located on the South Fork of the Kinnickinnic River. 

In 1854, when the Powell brothers platted the first 60 acres, they entered the name "Village of Kinnickinnic.”  In 1856, George Pratt entered a plat for the area just south of the Village of Kinnickinnic and called it "Greenwood Falls."  When a post office was established in 1858, it was called "River Falls." Confusion arose as all three names were used. The county board ended the controversy in 1858 and the unincorporated village was named "River Falls." 

Over the next ten years, River Falls growth continued with the construction of a brickyard in 1854 by the firm of Clark Crossman and Andrew Hart. George R. Griffin set up a blacksmith shop. A hotel was constructed in 1855 by George W Cairns, who was also a surveyor, contractor and justice of the peace. It was called the Greenwood House and William H. Winchester was the proprietor.  Summer Dodge opened a hardware shop, located on the northeast corner of Main and Elm Streets in 1855. Dodge’s Hardware store continued on Main Store for the next 100 years. 

The building in 1878 of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railroad facilitated the city’s growth since the Kinnickinnic was not a navigable river. River Falls reached the peak of its early industrial growth occurring between 1872 and 1885. The decline in the wheat market beginning in 1882 caused by an outbreak of the cinch bug and general soil depletion contributed significantly to a decline in the city’s early growth.

The first city council was elected in April of 1885. Abraham D. Andrews was elected mayor; George E. Pratt, Treasurer; Edwin H. Daniels, Assessor; and Reuben R. Bourn, City Justice. There were four city wards created, each having an alderman, a supervisor, a justice and a constable. Serving as alderman were: William W. Wadsworth, 1st ward; Swen M. Rosenquist, 2nd ward; Rasmus N. Jenson, 3rd ward; and Leonard S. Stiles, 4th ward. 

Historic Story Maps of River Falls

The Historic Story Maps of River Falls, Wisconsin, are a great way to explore “The City on the Kinni.” Whether you prefer to do your exploring from the comfort of your home or while walking around on your mobile device, these will make your experience enjoyable. There are two versions entitled “The City on the Kinni” and "A Walk Through Time".

“The City on the Kinni” offers a comprehensive history of the River Falls starting in 1848 when Joel Foster first came to the area taking you through the development of the City. It is ideally enjoyed on a desktop computer. While using "A Walk Through Time", the optimal experience is on your mobile device (e.g. phone or tablet) allowing you to travel to and learn about different locations and buildings around River Falls. You may be surprised what you find out about the history of this beautiful City.