Our house on the St. Croix River, less than an hour from the Twin Cities, was built as a summer home by my parents, on a larger property in the family since 1912. The house is surrounded by towering white pines and enjoys an elevated site overlooking the River banks, offering unparalleled views and easy access down a short path to the shore and boat landing. The St. Croix is a federally-protected National Scenic River, with no development on the Wisconsin hills opposite the house, so the setting is pristine, quiet, and unspoiled. The water is clean, the bottom is sandy, and the swimming is great, as is the fishing. 1 canoe and 2 kayaks are available renter use.
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Originally built in 1940, the house has been added to and updated over the years. Master bedroom suite added in 1959 (renovated in 1993), and the kitchen enlarged & fully remodeled also in 1993. Facing the river is a flagstone terrace, outside fireplace, front lawn with eating table, outdoor seating, a hammock, and bird feeders. Goldfinches, woodpeckers and Hummingbirds (if sugar water is made) are regulars here. If the peanut feeder is kept full you're likely to hear and see the spectacular pileated woodpecker pay a visit.

There are three (3) bedrooms with twin beds, one an expansive master bedroom, with laundry room and bathroom. A screened sleeping porch, accessible through another bedroom, has two more beds and can be great for kids. One bathroom has a tub and shower and the other bath has a stall shower. In addition, there is an excellent outside shower by the kitchen steps. Kitchen is fully equipped, with daybed/couch and eating table, plus a pass-through to the dining room area. The large living room is comfortably furnished, has a bow-front with large windows facing the river. The fireplace now has an efficient cast-iron insert that warms the room very well. Kitchen and master bedroom both have ceiling fans and there are several portable fans available

Close to the house is a tennis court, shared between 2 other families. Just north of house is a deep shady ravine with a spectacular double waterfall and pristine stream that flows into the river next to the house. Fishing is good up and down the shoreline or from the dock.

Next to the property is a public boat-launching ramp, and just a mile south is the William O'Brien State Park, with camping sites, hiking trails, and boat launching ramp and separate swimming pond. The closest town, 10 minutes south, is the historic village of Marine-on-St-Croix, once a major sawmill for the white pine logging industry during the mid-to-late 19th and early 20th century, when huge log drives were the principal traffic on the river. The larger town of Stillwater,18 miles south on the river, was also a major center of the lumberjack era and today offers antique shops, paddlewheel steamboats and numerous restaurants. The town of Taylor's Falls, known for rock climbing and Interstate Park at the spectacular Dalles, is an equal distance upriver to the north.