The Stillwater Lift Bridge spans the St. Croix River between Stillwater, Minnesota, and Houlton, Wisconsin. The historic riverfront area along Stillwater’s Main Street is listed on the National Register of Historic Places; it is home to more than 100 locally owned shops and restaurants. Together, the river, architectural history, and riverfront life reveal different sides of the city that you can take into account when planning your stay.
A Bridge with Two Chapters
Built in 1931, the Stillwater Lift Bridge is a rare surviving example of a Waddell and Harrington-type vertical-lift highway bridge. As a highway bridge, it carried State Highway 36 across the St. Croix River between Stillwater and Houlton. In 2020, it was converted into a bridge for bicycle and pedestrian traffic. Its history can therefore be understood both through its former role as a road connection and its later conversion for non-motorized traffic.
The bridge has a functional and symbolic connection to downtown Stillwater; the bridge plaza is at its western approach. If you plan to use the bridge as a pedestrian or bicycle connection, check the terms of use before your visit.
Local History and the History of the St. Croix Valley
The Washington County Heritage Center offers a regional perspective. Founded in 2021, it is both a museum and a central home for the history of the St. Croix Valley. Its interactive exhibits are designed for all ages. The region’s history thus complements the history of individual landmarks such as the Lift Bridge and the Main Street riverfront.
The two historical perspectives differ in scale: the focus at the riverfront and bridge is on local history, while the Heritage Center explores the history of the St. Croix Valley. Those interested in the city and its region will find two distinct topics to explore during their stay.
Routes by Land and Water
The Brown’s Creek State Trail is a 5.9-mile paved trail. Running parallel to it is a natural-surface trail suitable for horseback riding. The different surfaces and the option to ride horses clearly distinguish the two trails. In Stillwater, the Brown’s Creek State Trail connects to the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway.
The waterways also differ in their routes and reference points. The St. Croix River Water Trail runs south from downtown Stillwater to its confluence with the Mississippi River near Prescott, Wisconsin. The Lower St. Croix segment of the Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway runs from Highway 8 to Boom Site Landing in Stillwater, Minnesota. The Stillwater Islands area between the Soo Line High Bridge and Stillwater is popular with houseboats, cabin cruisers, pontoon boats, and fishing boats.
These differences can help you find your way when planning time on the water: the Water Trail describes a southerly route from downtown, the Lower St. Croix segment covers an area with named endpoints, and the Stillwater Islands are an area popular with various types of boats. You can choose based on your interest in a water route, a particular Riverway segment, or boating activity.
Explore more destinations: Oakdale, Forest Lake, Lake Elmo, Cottage Grove, Afton, Woodbury.
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