Travel Back in Time to Black River Falls

On the banks of the Black River, Black River Falls is the administrative center of the Ho Chunk nation. The Ho Chunk that called the area home had been forcibly removed to Nebraska in the 1870s.

Settlers built a lumber mill on the river which powered the growth of the city. The location has also meant the city has faced catastrophic flooding. In fact, in October of 1911 most of the business district of Black River Falls was washed away by flood waters.

Images provided by Black River Falls Public Library (WRLS), Wisconsin Historical Society, UW-La Crosse, and UW–Madison Digital Collections.

A postcard of a bridge over the river with the No. 60 power station in the foreground at Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1908.
A postcard of a bridge over the river with the No. 60 power station in the foreground at Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1908. UW-La Crosse
Bird's Eye View of Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis., 1872.
Bird’s Eye View of Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wis., 1872. Wisconsin Historical Society.
A Ho-Chunk drum performs for women dancers at the Labor Day Powwow in Black River Falls. 1994.
A Ho-Chunk drum performs for women dancers at the Labor Day Powwow in Black River Falls. 1994. Woodland Indians Traditional Artists Project, UW-Madison Digital Collections.
A postcard drawing of a bird's eye view of Black River Falls, Wisconsin circa 1911.
A postcard drawing of a bird’s eye view of Black River Falls, Wisconsin circa 1911. UW-La Crosse.
Grand Army of the Republic in Memorial Day Parade, in front of the Freeman House in Black River Falls.
Grand Army of the Republic in Memorial Day Parade, in front of the Freeman House in Black River Falls. Wisconsin Historical Society.
Postcard of the rebuilding of Main Street after a flood in 1911. Businesses pictured are Hotel Hamon Restaurant and Badger State Banner building. Postcard was sent to Richard Lang. Owned by Grace Nordahl.
Postcard of the rebuilding of Main Street after a flood in 1911. Businesses pictured are Hotel Hamon Restaurant and Badger State Banner building. Postcard was sent to Richard Lang. Owned by Grace Nordahl. Black River Falls Public Library.
A postcard of a flood scene with a group of unidentified people and a dog gathered around what remains of the post office in Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1911.
A postcard of a flood scene with a group of unidentified people and a dog gathered around what remains of the post office in Black River Falls, Wisconsin in 1911. UW-La Crosse.