Home
of the Wabasha County Historical Society"s
Historic School House Museum and River Museum. The
Read's Landing location at the confluence of the
Mississippi and Chippewa Rivers provides prime Eagle
viewing opportunities.
Reads Landing began as a Dakota trading post occupied
by Augustin Rocque, a nephew of Chief Wapasha. In
1847 it was purchased by Charles Read, an English
soldier, who recognized its value as a natural center
for commerce and transportation because of its position
along the banks of the Mississippi and the mouth
of the Chippewa River.
Fur-laden canoes and countless logs timbered in
Wisconsin were floated down the Chippewa River to
Reads Landing, which became the center of the western
Wisconsin lumber trade. 300-400 rafts men were often
on hand in Reads Landing waiting for the arrival
of the logs, which were then confined in rafts and
floated down the Mississippi River. About 2000 of
these log rafts left Reads Landing each year until
1915, when the choicest trees had been depleted.
In 1869 the largest of these raft runs covered 3-1/2
acres.
The existing brick schoolhouse, built in 1870, is
said to be only the second brick school built in
Minnesota. Its educational role continues on as
it houses the Wabasha County Historical Society's
Museum. Displays open to the public include a school,
country store, Laura Ingalls Wilder exhibit, Mississippi
River artifacts, antique agricultural equipment,
and much more.
Reads Landing flourished for a good many years after
its incorporation in 1868, but it was eventually
replaced by the neighboring town of Wabasha as a
center of commerce and transportation. Today it
is home to only 200 residents, but is visited by
many American
bald eagle observers, fishermen, and museum-goers.
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| Reads
Landing History: |
For many years
this had been a favorite stopping place for
the Indians, who called it Waumadee. There
was a rivalry between the owners of trading
posts at Reads Landing, Nelson Landing and
Wabasha. A fire, which destroyed most of Nelson,
gave the advantage to Reads, which had a population
of 1800 at one time. Charles Read began trading
in 1847 and two years later built a warehouse.
More warehouses following including a three
story one. The city was incorporated in 1868
but began to go downhill and was unincorporated
in 1896.
The Milwaukee Railroad established a single
line from St. Paul to LaCrosse in 1872 and
ten years later had a line across the river
on a pontoon bridge. For many years a train
made the trip one way in the morning and the
other direction at night. The pontoon was
used till the early 1950's when a flood destroyed
it.
White pine was harvested in Wisconsin and
floated down the St. Croix and Chippewa Rivers
to Reads. Here it was made into larger rafts
and continued down the river. This required
a great deal of manpower. There were twenty-seven
saloons and hotels at one time. With all the
saloons and lumbermen the ladies of the evening
were able to ply their trade. These activities
spawned many fights and lots of interesting
stories. Many businesses serviced the lumber
trade. The city was also home to doctors,
attorneys and a jewelry store. In about 1866
steamers were used to raft the logs but eventually
the white pine was all harvested and Reads
became a favorite lumberjack resort. The last
raft went down the river in 1901.
For two or three weeks in the spring between
the opening of the Mississippi and the opening
of Lake Pepin it was a busy thriving metropolis
as people waited for the lake to open. Reads
Landing was considered a possible site for
the MN State capital at one time. The school,
which once had a population of 250, is now
the Wabasha County Historical Society with
a wonderful collection of clothing, utensils,
and printed material. It is a great place
to spend an hour or a few hours. |
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