The Tour
The walking tour of the city is the perfect way to take in the architecture of the late 1800s in historic Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. Many downtown businesses have refurbished their store fronts to period facade.
The History
Incorporated in 1869, Chippewa Falls was the chief sawmill town of the Chippewa River. The city has a rich history of lumber, Native Americans, and pioneering spirit. Although the city did not see its first railroad line until 1875, it was a bustling lumber community with hotels, boarding houses, saloons, various mercantile establishments, public schools, churches, banks, and a fledgling brewery. Despite natural and man-made hardships, the city persevered through the fickle ebb and flow of progress like the mighty river for which is named. More than 140 years later it remains a progressive community that values its history, uniqueness, and the pioneering spirit that drives its citizens to this day.
1. Marsh Rainbow Arch Bridge (1916)
Intersection of Spring and Rushman Drive
Once a common design, this Rainbow Arch Bridge is the only one of its type remaining in Wisconsin. Made of reinforced concrete, this 93-foot span arch bridge crosses Duncan Creek and was the only bridge in downtown to withstand the devastating flood of 1934. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in June of 1982.
2. Metropolitan Block (1800s)
105 North Bridge Street
Designed by Samuel Snyder, the Metropolitan Block was constructed during the 1800s boom. The elaborate metal cornice at the top of the building, along with the stained glass transom windows, are representative of the Italianate style of architecture.
3. First National Bank (1800s)
111 North Bridge Street
Built in the Italianate style, the facade of the two story building was remodeled in 1989 in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival manner. Extensive restoration of the front exterior and lower floor interior, which maintains its original marble wainscoting and tin ceiling, was completed in 1999. This is the only business in Wisconsin to have won both the Wisconsin State Main Street Award for Best Interior Restoration and the award for the best Exterior Restoration. Today it is home to Eric's Diamonds & Fine Jewelry.
4. Union Block (1885)
123 North Bridge Street
Designed by Samuel Snyder, the Union Block was constructed in 1885 and was originally the site of the former Cobban Opera House, which was destroyed by fire in 1884. The building was historically restored in 1995 to reflect its original Italianate architecture.
5. Marshall Building (1889)
11 East Central Street
The Marshall Building was constructed in 1889 for Judge R.D. Marshall. The building has retained the original decorative stylistic devices such as stained glass, decorative brick, and a cast iron store front. The interior was renovated in 2001 to reflect the exterior.
6. French Lumber Company (1885)
124 North Bridge Street
Former home of the French Lumber Company. The company's massive ledgers are on display at the Chippewa County Historical Society.
7. Northwestern Bank (1904)
202 North Bridge Street
In 1904, P.T. Favell organized Northwestern State Bank. It was opened in the old Seymour Bank building that had been erected in 1883.In 1925, a new building was constructed on the same site. In the 1970s, the name "State" was removed from the bank name resulting in the "Northwestern Bank" as we know it today. An architecturally compatible addition was completed in 1991. The stained glass on the exterior clock was restored in 2002 to replicate the original design.
8. Collette's Pharmacy (1888)
212 North Bridge Street
The highly decorative iron cornice, compartmentalized facade, and white stone lintels are typical of commercial Italianate style architecture.
9. Cardinal-Bergeron Building (1889)
216 North Bridge Street
One hundred years after its construction, this was the first building in the Historic District to restore its original facade. In 2011 and 2012, extensive renovation of the exterior and interior makes this building one of the most impressive in the city.
10. Physicians Block (1920)
224 North Bridge Street
Over the years this building, also known as the Ihle Block, has been home to several pharmacies.
11. Chippewa Falls Museum of Industry & Technology
21 East Grand Avenue
Opened as a museum in 1998, CFMIT interprets the rich, varied history of manufacturing and processing that began in the 1840s and continues today. The museum also houses photos, artifacts, and hands-on exhibits, as well as the world's only complete Seymour Cray Supercomputer Collection.
12. Mason Shoe Manufacturing Company (1904)
Visible from the Grand Avenue Bridge
Mason Shoe Manufacturing Company was established in 1904. In 1913, they moved the plant to the four-story brick building along Duncan Creek. Part of the east wall of the building is still visible. Five generations later, Mason Shoe Companies is the largest shoe catalog company in the world. View their historic displays in their outlet store at 301 North Bridge Street.
13. United States Post Office (1910)
315 North Bridge Street
Regular mail service was established at the "Falls" in 1851. This structure is a typical example of early 1900s neoclassical style. While the interior has undergone alteration, it still maintains its beautiful rose, white, and grey marble floors and wainscoting. It is the only architecturally significant historic government building remaining in Chippewa Falls.
14. Olson's Ice Cream (1944)
611 North Bridge Street
From small beginnings in Knapp, Wisconsin, A.J. Olson moved his business from Chippewa Falls in 1944. It has since become an area landmark, with its giant ice cream cone, and has satisfied ice cream lovers from all over the world. The original recipe is still used.
15. Christ Episcopal Church (1897)
620 Bay Street
Designed in 1897 by local architects, this local landmark is an excellent example of the Late Gothic Revival style. The church features a square entrance, bell tower, and wooden tracery in the large stained glass window. In 1882, a 1,280-pound bell was installed in the tower.
16. Sokup's Market (1891)
624 North Bridge Street
Established by Joseph Sokup, this market was one of the oldest family owned businesses in the city. It is listed as one of 53 historic sites by the Chippewa County Historical Society. The market is located on the north side of the building.
17. Red Arrow (1852)
616 North Bridge Street
Originally known as Christ Blumhardt's Soft Drinks, this building was renamed The Red Arrow until 1970. Presently known as Rookies Pub, patrons still celebrate the day in 1852 when our 13th President of the United States, President Filmore, deeded the property the bar now stands on to Moses Rines. The Leinenkugel's sign on the south side of the building was repainted in 2002.
18. Bischel Meat Market (1907)
514 North Bridge Street
The Bischel Meat Market was built for Lorenz Bischel. The building was historically restored in the early 1990s. The meat market sign on the north side of the building was repainted in 2002. There is also an authentic ghost on the south wall and a brick carriage house behind the building.
19. Linse Brother Steam Laundry (1893)
412 North Bridge Street
Originally home to the Linse Brothers Steam Laundry, this 1893 building was converted into a bakery in 1940. The building underwent major renovation in 1986 and then again in 2010.
20. Edward Rutledge Charity Building (1916)
404 North Bridge Street
This building is a fine example of neoclassical architecture built to house Edward Rutledge Charities. The Rutledge Charities provide assistance to worthy causes in the area. This beautiful building is one of the best preserved historic structures in the city, both interior and exterior.
21. Music Block (1908)
314-318 North Bridge Street
In 1908 Christopher Sundet erected the Music Block building where he sold pianos, organs, and other musical merchandise. Early photos of the building show a flag bearing the initials CS flying over the top front center of the building. Today it is home to Eevy Ivy Floral and Spectrum Insurance.
22. Hotel Northern (1919)
6 West Grand Avenue
The Hotel was designed by Lee A. Bailey. Described as "a large first class hotel which will be architecturally a credit to the town," the hotel is a simplified neoclassical influenced design exhibiting plain brick surfaces and windows. There was a nationwide lottery raffle of the hotel in 1921. The raffle was declared illegal in 1922 and the winner was never awarded the hotel. The dramatic upper story, with its white terra cotta temple formations, was designed to accommodate the Elks Club. Today the building supports an apartment community.
23. McGuire's Livery (1888)
15 West Grand Avenue
The livery could board up to 35 horses. The stable windows were bricked in but are still visible on the west wall of the building. Horse murals decorate the windows.
24. Site of Norway House (1874)
17 West Grand Avenue
A historical marker is placed in the RCU parking lot for this site. In 1874, Alex Wiley built the Norway House in a swampy area halfway between Bridge and Bay Streets. It became a landmark for new settlers from Norway and for lumbermen who came down from the woods in the spring.
25. Chippewa Valley Auto Company (1924)
24-28 West Central Street
The advent of the automobile presented F.A. Bigler with an opportunity to build a new type of structure that would meet the needs of selling and servicing autos. His dealership sold Hudson, Essex, and Packard. An exterior ramp on the west side of the building allowed cars to be driven up to and displayed in the second story showroom.
26. City Hall (1950)
30 West Central Street
Built in 1950, the interior entry of the building still maintains its marble walls. Decorative wall plaques depict industry, agriculture, fishing, and justice. A compass, complete with inlaid marble in the floors, shows the direction of the streets.
27. First Presbyterian Church (1883)
130 West Central Street
As the oldest church in the city, its pointed arches and picturesque tower and medieval ornamentation are examples of Victorian Gothic architecture. In 2003, an addition was constructed with interior and exterior restoration.
28. Trinity United Methodist Church (1892)
201 West Central Street
This church was built in 1892 in the Richardsonian Romanesque Revival style. Characteristics include the large hip roof contrasted by small gabled bays, round arched windows and a massive pyramidal roofed entrance and bell tower. A major architecturally compatible addition on the south side of the building was completed in 2003.
29. Sheeley House (1884)
236 West River Street
Built in 1884, originally called the Paul House. The public house contained a ground floor saloon, first floor public dining, and family living quarters. In 1905, James Sheeley bought the Paul House. The building was purchased and historically restored in 1981 and is still named the Sheeley House.
30. Chippewa's Falls - Northern States Power Dam (1928)
The power plant and dam were constructed in 1928 at the former site of the Chippewa Lumber and Boom Company's "Big Mill," which had been the largest mill in the world under one roof. The mill closed in 1911. The dam has 6 generators, 13 spillway gates, and impounds 265 acres of water. This was the first plant in Wisconsin constructed by NSP. Many of the plants that NSP operated were built by small companies and later acquired by NSP.
31. Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company Office (1883)
2 Bay Street
Constructed in 1883, the first floor of the building originally housed the offices of the Chippewa Lumber & Boom Company.
32. Chippewa Shoe Company (1910)
36 West River Street
Originally built as a factory that employed over 175 workers, the building was rehabilitated in 1995 and houses the Shoe Factory Apartments. The rehabilitation earned the developer, Warren Loveland, the 1995 Wisconsin Main Street Award for Best Adaptive Reuse Project.
33. McDonell Memorial High School (1907)
3 High Street
Once the McDonell Memorial High School, this grand structure with four Roman Tuscan columns now houses the Heyde Center for the Arts. Built in 1907, lumberman Alexander McDonell gifted the school to Notre Dame Parish. In 1983, after nearly 20 years of sitting empty, this local treasure was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. After extensive restoration, due largely to donations, the center has become one of the most renowned cultural art centers in Wisconsin.
34. Notre Dame Church & Convent (1870)
117 & 123 Allen Street
Father Goldsmith commissioned the construction of Notre Dame Church. In 1883, the convent was constructed. In 1894, just 4 years after Father Goldsmith's death, the Goldsmith Memorial Chapel was built alongside the convent. Upon completion, Father Goldsmith's body was buried beneath the Altar. It is also the current home to the Chippewa County Historical & Genealogy Societies.
35. Peter Morey Saloon (1859)
29 West Spring Street
Built in 1859, this is the oldest and only commercial building made of wood in downtown Chippewa Falls. One of the few structures to survive the great fire of 1869, it is a good example of "boom town" architecture. In 1885, an ordinance was written requiring buildings to be constructed of concrete or brick to prevent fires. During the Civil War, this building was used to enlist men in the army. Old Abe, the Civil Ware eagle, made his home in the hay loft in the barn in the rear of the building.
OF HISTORIC INTEREST
Leinenkugel Brewery opened the Spring Brewery in 1867. In 1883, when Jacob Leinenkugel bought out John Miller, the name changed to Jacob Leinenkugel Spring Brewery. The business is still operated by sixth generation Leinenkugel family members.
124 East Elm Street
Cook-Rutledge Mansion, with hand-painted ceilings and walls, ornately carved woodwork, handcrafted silver door knobs, and crystal chandeliers, is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
505 West Grand Avenue
Downtown Revitalization - Business Assistance - Historic Preservation
Chippewa Falls Main Street
HISTORIC DOWNTOWN WALKING TOUR