St. Croix Boom Company House and Barn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
St. Croix Boom Company House and Barn
|
|
The St. Croix Boom Company House and Barn viewed from the east
|
|
 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 9666 N. St. Croix Trail, Stillwater Township, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | c. 1885 |
| Architectural style | Queen Anne |
| MPS | Washington County MRA (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 80000409 |
| Designated NRHP | June 3, 1980 |
The St. Croix Boom Company House and Barn is a special old house and barn in Stillwater Township, Minnesota. It was built around 1885. This building is important because it is connected to the St. Croix Boom Company.
This company helped the logging industry in Minnesota. They used a "log boom" to move logs down the river. The house and barn were added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. This means they are recognized as important historical sites.
About the House and Barn
The St. Croix Boom Company House and Barn are located near the St. Croix Boom Site. This is about 2 miles (3.2 km) north of the city of Stillwater. The house has two floors, and the barn has one and a half floors.
Both buildings have special wooden siding called clapboard. They also have pretty decorations on their pointed roof parts, called gables. The house has a porch that wraps around one side. Over time, parts were added to the house to make it bigger.
History of the Buildings
The house and barn were built around 1885. They were made for a man named W. Frank McGray. He was the superintendent, or manager, of the boom site for 34 years. He worked there from 1871 to 1905.
Mr. McGray and his family used to live across the St. Croix River in Wisconsin. But his company built this house for him. It was right next to the boom site, which made his job easier.
In 1895, Mr. McGray bought the house from the company. He lived there even after he retired in 1905. He finally sold the property in 1919.
The Log Boom's Last Log
Mr. McGray started working for the Boom Company in 1856. He was even there on the very first day. He sent the first log through the boom.
The log boom closed down on June 12, 1914. Mr. McGray was 80 years old by then. He was honored by being the one to send the very last log through the boom. This showed how important he was to the company's history.
