Stillwater looking south on South Main Street ca. 1865 Photograph taken by E.F. Everitt. (Photo courtesy of Wash. Cty Historical Society)

It was in the 1680s when the first Europeans traveled down the St. Croix River to the spot now known as Stillwater. Those explorers - Duluth, Hennepin, LaSalle and Parrot - never would have believed that one day this area would become a leading region of industry, commerce and tourism.

In 1843, John McKusick, Elam Greeley, Elias McKean and Calvin Leach organized the Stillwater Lumber Company - giving Stillwater its roots. The lumber boom of the late 19th century was launched! These four young New Englanders (all under the age of 30) contributed to the early beginnings of Stillwater. However, McKusick is the man credited with the new village. He named the site Stillwater because of the stillness of Lake St. Croix and fond memories of Stillwater, Maine.

Stillwater became known as the "Birthplace of Minnesota" when, on August 26, 1848, 61 delegates from the unorganized territory gathered at McKusick's boarding house on Main Street, now the Chamber office. The delegates drafted a petition requesting the U.S. Congress to recognize a new territory and that this territory be given the name Minnesota. Because of this "Convention," the Minnesota territory was established in March 1849.

Lumber mills popped up in and around Stillwater. By the 1880s, the St. Croix River Valley produced more lumber than any other place in the world, earning it the title of Capital of the World and the "Jewel of the St. Croix."

In addition to the lumber industry, a prison was introduced during the Territorial days. Stillwater was chosen as the site for the prison and construction began in 1851 in the part of town known as "Battle Hollos." The prison was completed in 1853 and over the 61 years of its existence, held thousands of convicts. The most notorious were the Younger Brothers, who were a part of the Jesse James Gang.

By 1914, the once booming lumber industry had moved away. The population was leaving as well, and it was looking as though Stillwater might become another faded lumber boomtown. But through perserverance and resourcefulness of its citizens, Stillwater resumed its role as a major city in Minnesota - this time with the tourism industry.

Today Stillwater is a bustling community boasting a variety of industry and businesses from automotive and plastics technology to government, banking and medical services.

The city is best known for its historic and picturesque Main Street district, where visitors can stop at art, antiques and used book dealers, jewelry gift shops and home furnishings stores, unique restaurants and more.

The mighty St. Croix River continues to serve the area, although now more for recreation and tourism than industy. Paddlewheelers, motorboats, houseboats and canoes ply the same waters that captured the attention of the original settlers.