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Stillwater, Minnesota

Coordinates: 45°3′N 92°49′W / 45.050°N 92.817°W / 45.050; -92.817
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Stillwater
City
The waterfront of Stillwater on the St. Croix River
The waterfront of Stillwater on the St. Croix River
Official seal of Stillwater
Seal
Nickname: 
The Birthplace of Minnesota
Location of the city of Stillwater within Washington County, Minnesota
Location of the city of Stillwater
within Washington County, Minnesota
Stillwater is located in the United States
Stillwater
Stillwater
Coordinates: 45°3′N 92°49′W / 45.050°N 92.817°W / 45.050; -92.817
CountryUnited States
StateMinnesota
CountyWashington
First settledOctober 26, 1843
Government
 • MayorTed Kozlowski
Area
[1]
 • Total
9.07 sq mi (23.50 km2)
 • Land8.05 sq mi (20.84 km2)
 • Water1.03 sq mi (2.66 km2)
Elevation
696 ft (212 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
19,394
 • Density2,410.39/sq mi (930.66/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP Codes
55082, 55083
Area code651
FIPS code27-62824
GNIS feature ID0652642[2]
Websitewww.ci.stillwater.mn.us

Stillwater is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Washington County. It is in the Minneapolis–Saint Paul metropolitan area, on the west bank of the St. Croix River, across from Houlton, Wisconsin. Stillwater's population was 18,225 at the 2010 census.[3][4] Stillwater is often called "the birthplace of Minnesota"[5] due to its role in the establishment of the state.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 7.98 square miles (20.67 km2); 6.96 square miles (18.03 km2) is land and 1.02 square miles (2.64 km2) is water.[6] State Highways 36, 95, and 96 are three of the community's main routes.

Climate

Stillwater receives an average annual snowfall of 42 inches (1,100 mm). Average annual rainfall is 24 in (610 mm). Each year has an average of 14 days above 90 °F (32 °C).

Name

The name "Stillwater" was proposed in 1843 by John McKusick, who built its first sawmill and was later a state senator.[7] The name derives from the calmness of the St. Croix River near the town center.[8] It is also believed that McKusick had fond memories of Stillwater, Maine.[7]

Long before McKusick and company arrived in the early 1840s, the Dakota and Ojibwe had known the place by other names. The Dakota called it Hoġan Wanḳe Kin,[9] a term that encompassed not only the St. Croix River but also Lake St. Croix and a large sandbar across from present-day Afton. The name, meaning "the place where the fish lies", derived from a legend in which a man was transformed into a giant fish (a catfish or a pike, depending on the version) and then into a sandbar.[10] In English, Hoġan Wanḳe Kin has been variously rendered as Hogan-wahnkay-kin, Hogan-wauke-kin and Hogan-wan-kee.[11]

The Ojibwe name for the place was Giigoonzh-agomod, with the slightly different meaning of "where the fish floats".[12] The Ojibwe origin legend is very similar, again involving a man transformed into a giant fish and found floating in the lake, with his ultimate transformation into "a piece of land crossing the lake there" (i.e., the sandbar). In English renderings, Giigo onh-zhagomod is harder to recognize, appearing as Kee-go-shagewa-minnie[13] and Kegan-Shaw-Ga-Nut, but the phonetic similarities are apparent.

History

A panoramic sketch of Stillwater drawn by Albert Ruger in 1870.

On July 29 and September 29, 1837, treaties were signed between the US government and the local Ojibwa and Dakota nations that allowed settlement in the St. Croix Valley. The settlement was founded on October 26, 1843, when four partners formed the Stillwater Lumber Company.[14] Settlers were drawn by the area's then-abundant lumber and river traffic, making it one of Minnesota's oldest towns, preceding Minneapolis by several years. Stillwater was officially incorporated as a city on March 4, 1854 (the same day as St. Paul).[citation needed]

Stillwater is often referred to as the birthplace of Minnesota.[5] In 1848, a territorial convention that began the process of establishing Minnesota as a state was held in Stillwater, at the corner of Myrtle and Main Streets. Minnesota officially became a territory in 1849 and a state in 1858.

As more evidence of Stillwater's importance at the time, the convention selected three leading Minnesota cities as locations for three important public institutions: Minneapolis got the University of Minnesota, Saint Paul became the capital, and Stillwater the site of the territory's first prison. The Minnesota Territorial Prison (later Minnesota State Prison) was opened in 1853. The prison held Cole, Jim, and Bob Younger, three of the Younger brothers of the James–Younger Gang

Lumbering was the predominant industry in the St. Croix River Valley in the second half of the 19th century, and for many years logs were sent down the St. Croix, collected at the St. Croix Boom Site two miles upstream of Stillwater, and processed in Stillwater's many sawmills. Steamboats were used most widely from 1860 to 1890, and a few are still used for entertainment today.

David Swain operated a shipyard and engine works in Stillwater. Excursion steamboats, such as the Verne Swain and the Capitol, appeared at the docks in the early 20th century.[15]

Stillwater sent men of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Company B and the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment Company C to fight during the American Civil War.[16][17]

On October 18, 1921, Charles Strite invented the automatic pop-up bread toaster in Stillwater. By 1926, the Toastmaster Company began to market the first household toaster using a redesigned version of Strite's.[18]

In 1931, construction of the Stillwater lift bridge over the St. Croix River was completed at a final cost of $460,174, which was split equally between Minnesota and Wisconsin.[19] The lift bridge is one of the city's most iconic and visible local monuments. It was part of Minnesota State Highway 36 until 2017, when it closed. In 2020 it became part of a five-mile trail loop running through Stillwater and Houlton, Wisconsin.[20]

In 1996 the city of Stillwater entered into an agreement with Stillwater Township to annex land. In 2015 the Stillwater city council approved the annexing the last of the land covered by the agreement. The city's western border is now Manning Avenue (County Road 15). The northern border is now mostly, but not entirely, Minnesota Highway 96.[21]

  • Stillwater c. 1860s
    Stillwater c. 1860s
  • Washington County Courthouse
    Washington County Courthouse
  • Across the street from the Courthouse, the Veterans' Memorial for local veterans
    Across the street from the Courthouse, the Veterans' Memorial for local veterans
  • Lift Bridge
    Lift Bridge
  • Isaac Staples Sawmill
    Isaac Staples Sawmill

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,380—
18704,12473.3%
18809,055119.6%
189011,26024.4%
190012,81813.8%
191010,198−20.4%
19207,735−24.2%
19307,173−7.3%
19407,013−2.2%
19507,6749.4%
19608,3108.3%
197010,19122.6%
198012,29020.6%
199013,88213.0%
200015,1439.1%
201018,22520.4%
202019,3946.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]

Historic census data

  • 1870: The racial makeup of the city was: 4106 White, 18 Colored, 0 Chinese and Japanese, and 1 Indians.
  • 1880: The racial makeup of the city was: 9020 White, 22 Colored, 2 Chinese and Japanese, and 2 Indians.
  • 1890: The racial makeup of the city was: 11209 White, 50 Colored, 0 Chinese, 0 Japanese, and 1 Civilized Indians.
  • 1910: The "color and nativity" makeup of the city was: 2447 Native White-Native parentage, 4916 Native White-Foreign or mixed parentage, 2774 Foreign-born white, 56 African American and 6 Indian, Chinese, and Japanese.
  • 1920: The "color and nativity" makeup of the city was: 2384 Native White-Native parentage, 3683 Native White-Foreign or mixed parentage, 1664 Foreign-born white, 4 African American and 0 Indian, Chinese, and Japanese.
  • 1940: The racial makeup for the city was 7012 White, 0 African American and 1 Other race.
  • 1950: The racial makeup for the city was 99.9% white and 0.1% non-white
  • 1960: The racial makeup for the city was 99.9% white and 0.1% non-white
  • 1970: The racial makeup for the city was 10159 white, 1 African American, 12 Indian, 3 Japanese, 0 Chinese, 6 Filipino, and 6 All Other Races

2010 census

As of the census[23] of 2010, there were 18,225 people, 7,075 households, and 4,885 families living in the city. The population density was 2,618.5 inhabitants per square mile (1,011.0/km2). There were 7,576 housing units at an average density of 1,088.5 per square mile (420.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.1% White, 1.0% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 7,075 households, of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.3% were married couples living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.0% were non-families. 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the city was 40 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.3% were from 25 to 44; 29% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 15,143 people, 5,797 households, and 4,115 families living in the city. The population density was 2,340.0 people per square mile (903.7/km2). There were 5,926 housing units at an average density of 915.7 per square mile (353.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.9% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.1% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.

There were 5,797 households, out of which 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 27.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $57,154, and the median income for a family was $72,188. Males had a median income of $49,158 versus $33,680 for females. The per capita income for the city was $27,163. About 3.0% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Stillwater has a mix of public district, public charter, and private schools at the primary and secondary levels. The city is served by the Stillwater Area Public Schools system and the nearest high school is Stillwater Area High School in Oak Park Heights, Minnesota.

In film, television, and books

  • In The Mighty Ducks films, one of the two "bash brothers", Fulton Reed (played by Elden Henson), is from Stillwater.
  • The novel series The Emigrants and the musical Kristina från Duvemåla tell the story of a family of Swedish emigrants who journey to Minnesota in 1850. Much of the story takes place in Stillwater.
  • In Juno, Bren MacGuff mentions purchasing an expensive antique item at a Stillwater store.
  • In the Supernatural episode "The Purge", Sam and Dean head to Stillwater when a competitive eater mysteriously dies in impossible circumstances.
  • The entirety of the film The Unearthing takes place in Stillwater and the story revolves around a local ghost legend.
  • In Fargo, Stillwater is mentioned, referring specifically to the prison.
  • Many Corridor Digital YouTube videos were filmed in and around Stillwater.
  • The Disney film Clouds is set in Stillwater, based on a true story

Movies filmed entirely or partially in Stillwater

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File". American FactFinder. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010 Census. Retrieved 23 April 2011.[dead link‍]
  4. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  5. ^ a b "The birth of Minnesota" (PDF). mnhs.org. 1997. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-02-22. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  6. ^ "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 12, 2012. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  7. ^ a b Upham, Warren (1920). Minnesota Geographic Names: Their Origin and Historic Significance. Minnesota Historical Society. p. 571.
  8. ^ Chicago and North Western Railway Company (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 165.
  9. ^ "Dakota spoken here: Mni Sota's Dakota Indian heritage topic of Minnesota Book Award winner". www.tcdailyplanet.net/. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  10. ^ "Afton--Washington County Historical Society". www.wchsmn.org/afton/. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  11. ^ Neill, Rev. Edward D (1881). History of Washington County and the St. Croix Valley, Including the Explorers and Pioneers of Minnesota. North Star Publishing Company. p. [1].
  12. ^ "Nookomis Gaa-Inaajimotawi: What My Grandmother Told Me," in Oshkaabewis Native Journal" (PDF). www.bemidjistate.edu. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2019-07-23. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  13. ^ "How Stillwater Came to Be" (PDF). www.mnhs.org/. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2012-10-19. Retrieved August 19, 2022.
  14. ^ Folsom, William H.C. (1888). Fifty Years in the Northwest. Pioneer Press Company. pp. 38–39.
  15. ^ Brent T. Peterson. Stillwater. Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 80.
  16. ^ From the Journal of Sgt. Sam Bloomer 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Part I
  17. ^ Historians seek Stillwater Civil War unit's flag
  18. ^ "Patent for Bread-Toaster Issued October 18, 1921". www.uspto.gov. Archived from the original on February 1, 2015. Retrieved January 26, 2017.
  19. ^ "Stillwater Lift Bridge". dot.state.mn.us. 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  20. ^ "St. Croix Crossing". dot.state.mn.us. 2020. Retrieved August 25, 2020.
  21. ^ "Stillwater approves long anticipated annexation". Retrieved 13 Dec 2017.
  22. ^ United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved June 9, 2014.
  23. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-11-13.
  24. ^ Kink, Julie (May 30, 2014). "Funny man comes from a long line of 'censored performers'". St. Croix Valley Area News. Stillwater, Minnesota. Retrieved 2020-10-05.
  25. ^ Fredericksen, Jane (May 7, 2009). "Marine native Butch Thompson celebrates jazz roots". The Lowdown. Retrieved March 16, 2014.
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