Eau Claire, University city in Wisconsin, United States
Eau Claire is a university city in Wisconsin that developed at the junction of two rivers, located roughly 65 miles (105 kilometers) east of Minneapolis. Downtown stretches along the waterfront while residential districts and commercial zones spread north and west, with bridges connecting different sections of the municipality across the water.
Loggers and sawmills built a settlement along the rivers in the 19th century, which then grew rapidly into a city. The arrival of the railroad in the 1870s opened new markets and helped diversify the economy beyond the timber industry.
The city takes its name from the French term for "clear water," which early traders used to describe the river running through what is now downtown. Local families still gather along these riverbanks in summer to fish and walk the trails that follow the water through neighborhoods and green spaces.
Streets follow a mostly grid pattern in the center, while residential areas farther out have more curved layouts. Many public buildings and shops sit within a few blocks of the water, making orientation easier.
Every July a multi-day music festival draws bands and visitors from across the Midwest. The university also operates a public observatory that holds regular evening sky-watching events.
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