The St. Croix River and the county by the same name recently made news on National Public Radio (NPR). The catchy title of the story was “Bridge on the River Croix.” It told a national audience of millions how the old Stillwater bridge – built in 1933 – was very picturesque. However, with only two lanes it is a bottleneck to the huge bedroom community that lives in St. Croix County and travels to work each day in the Twin Cities.

The radio reporter mentioned that St. Croix County is currently the fastest growing county in Wisconsin. The big six-lane Hudson bridge is facilitating rapid housing developments on both sides of I-94. Though not mentioning the German Settlement by name, this is where the story directly links up with our ancestral neighborhood just six to nine miles east of the St. Croix River. The rush to subdivide the farm lands for housing estates is greater than ever. This is not unexpected or unwanted by those who own the land. However, the question is asked more urgently, “What do we, the descendants and long time residents, wish to preserve of the German Settlement heritage for future generations?” We don’t want regrets or to think, “If only we had done this or that.”  Printed below are few excerpts from recent letters on this subject from two descendants who were born and raised in the German Settlement. The first is by Mary “Deb” Larsen and the next is by Don Linehan.

Leaving a Historical Legacy or a Farm Fantasy – by Mary Deborah Larsen

No one can assume the existing farms in the German Settlement will be farms much longer. A developer with a good offer will own that land sooner or later and that developer is not likely to value the old buildings or their contents. That is reality as I see it.  If the building(s) are to be preserved action needs to be taken before property is sold and buildings destroyed. The other reality is that these buildings and other artifacts have a limited life themselves and some means of preservation will be needed if they are to last much longer.

I do not expect agreement with my idea of preserving some of the old buildings. That does not bother me. I think it needs to be said. I think it is very idealistic to think things will continue on there as they are for much longer. One example is that little J.N. Mayer house on Bummel Road. It’s about 140 years old and represents more to some people than it does to others, obviously.

It seems there is little time left for some of these buildings so if preservation is to be accomplished we need to act. Of course, I am expecting to be told it is not possible. My brother Jack has already done that.  To end this, I want to quote from Christa McAuliffe, the teacher/astronaut who died in the Challenger crash. ”I teach…I touch the future. In my ideal world all is possible.”

Some thoughts on the Development Boom – by Don Linehan

Deb’s idea about relocating small historic buildings, a plow, etc. would create a nest of a life past. Constructing and maintaining would be costly depending on how many buildings we could afford fixing. Perhaps there are state GRANTS available for such historic preservation purposes.  Wisconsin is big on maintaining the family farm. With any preservation like this, maintenance is a big cost – especially something so old and historic.  It would need an endowment.

Spinning Deb’s idea and building something like the handsome historical monument put up a few summers ago, why not expand that design idea? You could strategically place, a series of handsome plaques telling the German Settlement story …1, 2, 3, etc. One plaque could be about a certain old building, another about the plow, etc….

A few weeks ago I visited the German Settlement and once again I was surprised with the speed of the development boom. Bulldozers seemingly are digging basements on every few acres where just a year ago tractors plowed the rich land in anticipation of still another crop. Land for sale signs swing in the wind. Sewer and water reach from River Falls and land prices will soar.  It seems to me, before long, the German Settlement Cemetery will be the ONLY land without a house on it. Of the people I spoke to, everyone takes the development as an opportunity to cash in.  Can’t blame them.
Closing Remarks:

Dear Folks,
I am concerned that some historic buildings in our German Settlement are in danger of being demolished in the near future. My purpose is to raise your awareness, offer some suggestions and encourage you to think of solutions. Let’s dream big about preserving our history if we truly want these buildings and artifacts to be a legacy for our grandchildren.

For pictures of historic farm buildings please look at pages 23 to 37 in my book Aachen Roots and St. Croix Branches, the German Settlement of Hudson, Wisconsin. The present farm owners have done a good job of preserving historic buildings. The problem is that developers could care less. Some like the old J.N. Mayer house may need some outside help. Please send your ideas now to:  RicSchwenk@earthlink.net  Now while you think of it would be greatly appreciated. Time is of the essence.

All best wishes and fond regards,   Richard Schwenk, editor