# Historic Downtown Stillwater

> Stillwater on the St. Croix River was settled in 1843 and incorporated as a city in 1854. In the 19th century the town lived off lumber: logs were floated…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/places/stillwater-historic-downtown/

A lumber-era town on the St. Croix River with a compact downtown of 19th-century brick buildings, antique shops and a lift bridge. Stroll Main Street and the riverfront, and come on a weekday to avoid the summer weekend crowds.

Stillwater on the St. Croix River was settled in 1843 and incorporated as a city in 1854. In the 19th century the town lived off lumber: logs were floated down the river and processed in local sawmills. In 1848 the territorial convention that set Minnesota on the path to statehood met here, which is why Stillwater calls itself the "Birthplace of Minnesota." The Minnesota Territorial Prison was established in 1853, and historic sites along the river include the Warden's House Museum and the Washington County Courthouse.

The Stillwater Lift Bridge of 1931 is the landmark; it has been closed to cars since 2017 and serves as a bicycle and pedestrian bridge (as of October 2026). The compact downtown is easy to explore on foot, so allow two to three hours. Summer weekends are crowded, while weekdays are much quieter.

- **Nearest town:** Stillwater, MN
- **Category:** History & culture
- **GPS:** 45.0563, -92.8060

## Good to know

**Best time to go:** The most pleasant months are usually June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–August. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## Sources

- [Stillwater Lift Bridge 2026 – MnDOT](https://www.dot.state.mn.us/news/2026/05/04-metro-stillwater-lift-bridge.html)
- [Stillwater, Minnesota – Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stillwater,_Minnesota)

## Nearby

- [Minnehaha Falls](https://camping-spirit.com/places/b19-minnehaha-falls/) – 22 mi
- [Mill City Museum](https://camping-spirit.com/places/mill-city-museum/) – 23 mi
- [Interstate State Park](https://camping-spirit.com/places/interstate-state-park-wisconsin/) – 24 mi
- [SPAM Museum](https://camping-spirit.com/places/spam-museum-austin/) – 96 mi

## FAQs

### Where is Historic Downtown Stillwater?

Historic Downtown Stillwater is in Stillwater, MN, at GPS 45.0563, -92.8060. It is about 23 mi from Minneapolis.

### Can you camp near Historic Downtown Stillwater?

Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Golden Acres, about 7 mi away; within 25 mi there are 13 campsites and motorhome stopovers.

### What is there to see near Historic Downtown Stillwater?

Places worth a stop nearby: Minnehaha Falls (22 mi), Mill City Museum (23 mi), Interstate State Park (24 mi) and SPAM Museum (96 mi).

### When is the best time to visit Historic Downtown Stillwater?

The most pleasant months are usually June and September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and July–August. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)