What is the oldest town in Minnesota? There are several ways to determine the “oldest town.” You could count by how long it’s been inhabited, by when it was platted, or by the date, it was officially incorporated. In Minnesota, the method by which you decide will give you a different answer. But today, we’re going to simplify things. Though Stillwater is commonly considered the oldest town in Minnesota, another town actually holds the title. Why? Because it was established in 1830, a full 24 years before Stillwater was incorporated.
Located about 70 miles southeast of the Twin Cities, Wabasha has about 2,500 residents.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr The town was named in honor of the Sioux Chief Wapashaw.
Wabasha has been continuously populated since 1826.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Though it has been occupied since 1826, Wabasha was officially established in 1830 and platted in 1854. Regardless, it is officially recognized as the oldest city in Minnesota and one of the oldest cities on the upper Mississippi River.
Wabasha is nestled alongside the Mississippi River, just across the border from Wisconsin.
ShaLynn Wren/Flickr Being that the river was such a vital transportation link, Wabasha quickly became an important town in the region. It was officially recognized in the Prairie du Chien Treaty in 1930.
Today, residents enjoy using the river for both transportation and entertainment.
John W. Iwanski/Flickr The gorgeous scenery along the Mississippi River draws both tourists and locals outdoors no matter the time of year. A gorgeous truss bridge built in 1988 spans the river and connects Minnesota to Wisconsin.
The river acts as a backdrop to many events throughout the year.
City of Wabasha, MN/Facebook In the summer, Wabasha’s docks are busy with boats coming and going off the water. Those who prefer a slower pace can canoe or kayak the river. Wabasha even has a paddle guide company to make your boat tour even easier.
There are plenty of winter events along the Mississippi as well.
Wabasha-Kellogg Chamber & CVB Each year, the Grumpy Old Men Festival celebrates the famous movie set in Wabasha. Costumed participants jump into the frozen river during the Grumpy Plunge.
Besides the Grumpy Old Men Festival, Wabasha has a full calendar year of fun activities.
City of Wabasha, MN/Facebook For example, each year the entire town gets dressed up for the annual SeptOberfest celebration. Over a month of fall festivities take over the town and attract visitors from miles around. Other festivals, like the Watermelon Fest and Riverboat Days, also draw a crowd.
Beyond the river, Wabasha boasts over 50 buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr One, the H.H. Jewell Building, was constructed in 1880 and has worn many hats over the years. Originally a hardware store, it has also been a pharmacy, a bowling alley, and a library. You’ll have to visit in person to see what’s happening in the building today.
The town also boasts many excellent restaurants.
John Fox/Google Try Eagle Valley Cafe, a family-owned small-town cafe with plate-sized pancakes and an even bigger heart. Other restaurants, like Bluff View Grill and Main Street Kitchen, offer delicious dishes to try when you’re visiting Wabasha.
But perhaps Wabasha’s most famous attraction is the National Eagle Center.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr Here, you can get up close and personal with beautiful bald and golden eagles. Not only can you see them soar high over the Mississippi, but you can attend the Eagle Center’s daily live eagle demonstration. You can also learn about and photograph these majestic birds of prey during an Eagle Field Trip. If nothing else, the National Eagle Center is a must-visit on any trip to Wabasha.
No matter how you determine the first town in Minnesota, Wabasha is filled with history and deserves a visit. Have you ever been to Wabasha? Let us know what you did there!
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
The town was named in honor of the Sioux Chief Wapashaw.
J. Stephen Conn/Flickr
Though it has been occupied since 1826, Wabasha was officially established in 1830 and platted in 1854. Regardless, it is officially recognized as the oldest city in Minnesota and one of the oldest cities on the upper Mississippi River.
ShaLynn Wren/Flickr
Being that the river was such a vital transportation link, Wabasha quickly became an important town in the region. It was officially recognized in the Prairie du Chien Treaty in 1930.
John W. Iwanski/Flickr
The gorgeous scenery along the Mississippi River draws both tourists and locals outdoors no matter the time of year. A gorgeous truss bridge built in 1988 spans the river and connects Minnesota to Wisconsin.
City of Wabasha, MN/Facebook
In the summer, Wabasha’s docks are busy with boats coming and going off the water. Those who prefer a slower pace can canoe or kayak the river. Wabasha even has a paddle guide company to make your boat tour even easier.
Wabasha-Kellogg Chamber & CVB
Each year, the Grumpy Old Men Festival celebrates the famous movie set in Wabasha. Costumed participants jump into the frozen river during the Grumpy Plunge.
For example, each year the entire town gets dressed up for the annual SeptOberfest celebration. Over a month of fall festivities take over the town and attract visitors from miles around. Other festivals, like the Watermelon Fest and Riverboat Days, also draw a crowd.
One, the H.H. Jewell Building, was constructed in 1880 and has worn many hats over the years. Originally a hardware store, it has also been a pharmacy, a bowling alley, and a library. You’ll have to visit in person to see what’s happening in the building today.
John Fox/Google
Try Eagle Valley Cafe, a family-owned small-town cafe with plate-sized pancakes and an even bigger heart. Other restaurants, like Bluff View Grill and Main Street Kitchen, offer delicious dishes to try when you’re visiting Wabasha.
Here, you can get up close and personal with beautiful bald and golden eagles. Not only can you see them soar high over the Mississippi, but you can attend the Eagle Center’s daily live eagle demonstration. You can also learn about and photograph these majestic birds of prey during an Eagle Field Trip. If nothing else, the National Eagle Center is a must-visit on any trip to Wabasha.
The next time the question, what is the oldest town in Minnesota, pops up in a trivia match you’ll know. If you really want to up your game, check out this list of 14 historic towns in Minnesota for more interesting facts about this state.
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Address: Wabasha, MN, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
More interesting tid bits about the oldest towns in Minnesota December 16, 2022 Chris Muras What was the first town settled in Minnesota? While the official first town in Minnesota is Wabasha, there was an American settlement that occurred at Camp Coldwater. The settlement was established in 1824 as squatters set up camp around Fort Snelling. More than 20 buildings popped up over a decade and a half before the settlement was disbanded by the commandant of Fort Snelling in 1840. What was the first suburb in Minnesota? The first suburb in Minnesota doesn’t come from Wabasha, the oldest city in Minnesota, or even Stillwater considered the second oldest. In 1858 Richfield, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie were all established as townships. Richfield however, lays claim to the oldest suburb, because it originally included Camp Coldwater, which was the very first American settlement in Minnesota. What is the oldest house in Minnesota? The oldest house in Minnesota is the Sibley House in Mendota Heights, MN. It was built between 1835 and 1836. Henry Hastings Sibley was Minnesota’s first governor and the regional manager of the American Fur Company. Over 100 laborers cut, hauled, and assembled limestone bricks from a nearby quarry to build this historic home. Was St. Paul or Minneapolis first? When the US military set up Fort Snelling in 1819 it was the first military presence in the area. It wasn’t until much later that the area was made available for civilian settlement. While Minneapolis is Minnesota’s most populous city, Saint Paul, the state’s capitol, was incorporated as a city in 1854. It wasn’t until 1867 that Minneapolis was established as a settlement.
The OIYS Visitor Center
More interesting tid bits about the oldest towns in Minnesota
December 16, 2022
Chris Muras
What was the first town settled in Minnesota? While the official first town in Minnesota is Wabasha, there was an American settlement that occurred at Camp Coldwater. The settlement was established in 1824 as squatters set up camp around Fort Snelling. More than 20 buildings popped up over a decade and a half before the settlement was disbanded by the commandant of Fort Snelling in 1840. What was the first suburb in Minnesota? The first suburb in Minnesota doesn’t come from Wabasha, the oldest city in Minnesota, or even Stillwater considered the second oldest. In 1858 Richfield, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie were all established as townships. Richfield however, lays claim to the oldest suburb, because it originally included Camp Coldwater, which was the very first American settlement in Minnesota. What is the oldest house in Minnesota? The oldest house in Minnesota is the Sibley House in Mendota Heights, MN. It was built between 1835 and 1836. Henry Hastings Sibley was Minnesota’s first governor and the regional manager of the American Fur Company. Over 100 laborers cut, hauled, and assembled limestone bricks from a nearby quarry to build this historic home. Was St. Paul or Minneapolis first? When the US military set up Fort Snelling in 1819 it was the first military presence in the area. It wasn’t until much later that the area was made available for civilian settlement. While Minneapolis is Minnesota’s most populous city, Saint Paul, the state’s capitol, was incorporated as a city in 1854. It wasn’t until 1867 that Minneapolis was established as a settlement.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
While the official first town in Minnesota is Wabasha, there was an American settlement that occurred at Camp Coldwater. The settlement was established in 1824 as squatters set up camp around Fort Snelling. More than 20 buildings popped up over a decade and a half before the settlement was disbanded by the commandant of Fort Snelling in 1840.
What was the first suburb in Minnesota?
The first suburb in Minnesota doesn’t come from Wabasha, the oldest city in Minnesota, or even Stillwater considered the second oldest. In 1858 Richfield, Bloomington, and Eden Prairie were all established as townships. Richfield however, lays claim to the oldest suburb, because it originally included Camp Coldwater, which was the very first American settlement in Minnesota.
What is the oldest house in Minnesota?
The oldest house in Minnesota is the Sibley House in Mendota Heights, MN. It was built between 1835 and 1836. Henry Hastings Sibley was Minnesota’s first governor and the regional manager of the American Fur Company. Over 100 laborers cut, hauled, and assembled limestone bricks from a nearby quarry to build this historic home.
Was St. Paul or Minneapolis first?
When the US military set up Fort Snelling in 1819 it was the first military presence in the area. It wasn’t until much later that the area was made available for civilian settlement. While Minneapolis is Minnesota’s most populous city, Saint Paul, the state’s capitol, was incorporated as a city in 1854. It wasn’t until 1867 that Minneapolis was established as a settlement.
