Arcola Mills

Arcola Mills is a wood-frame house near the St. Croix River built with Greek Revival architecture, clapboard siding, and a broad porch facing east. The property sits on a location fed by spring-fed streams and remains listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Two brothers established one of the first sawmills on the St. Croix River in 1847 and built this residence during Minnesota's early settlement period. This founding era shaped the region's role as a major lumber production center.

The house reflects how residential life and mill operations were closely linked, showing how communities developed around lumber production in the 1800s. Visitors can sense this connection through the property's location and layout.

The property is located on a private grounds accessed by Arcola Trail North in Washington County and today serves as an education center for community programs. Check ahead to understand visiting conditions and any restrictions on access.

A 40-foot stone chimney remains the last visible element of the original sawmill, which was powered by a large water wheel over a spring-fed stream. This feature reveals the technical sophistication of early mills at this riverside location.