Around Swedish America in 548 Days - Day 75

Day 75 - Stillwater

Many Swedes settled in Stillwater on the St. Croix River, once the logging capital of Minnesota. Large Victorian homes built on the bluffs still watch over the business district bustling with tourists. Several were built or owned by Swedes, including the Andrew Olson House, 107 E. Laurel, the John G. Nelson House (the Stillwater Residence), at 220 W. Olive, and the Frank Berry House (the Comfort House), at 102 School Street.

Swedish immigrants founded and built Trinity Lutheran Church at Oak and Fourth in 1871 but sold it in 1882 to another congregation. Lutherans erected the present sanctuary in 1883 at 115 N. Fourth Street (651-439-7400); the entrance on Fourth was created after renovation in 1983.

At the north end of Stillwater is the Washington County Historical Society Museum, 602 N. Main Street (651-439-5956; www.wchsmn.org), which displays artifacts from the early sealer and lumbering eras. Three miles north of Still- water on State Highway 95 along the St. Croix River is the Boom Site, which has a good view of the lovely St. Croix Valley, now designated the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway.