Travel Back in Time to Eau Claire

At the confluence of the Eau Claire and Chippewa Rivers, Eau Claire has long been an important site of commerce and trade for Sioux and Ojibew people, fur traders, and loggers. Enjoy this tour of Eau Claire’s business districts as they looked in the past. Images are courtesyof the Chippewa Valley Museum and the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library.

Schlegelmilch Building corner Barstow and Eau Claire streets-built in 1913. Image is from ca. 1926-1929.
Wagons on River Street – present day Graham Ave. Riverside House listed at 306 S. River St. in Eau Claire City Directory. Image from 1887 or 1888.
Barstow Street with street cars looking south from Samuelson’s building, ca. 1900-1910.
Horse drawn carriages in front of Britton House. Britton House was formerly the Monangahala House, 1869.
Grand Avenue looking west across Grand Ave. bridge; street car on tracks; Ingram building at right, 1910.
Crowd of people in front of Eau Claire House, 1892.
Corner of Farwell & Gibson streets looking north; old Hobbs Buildings in background along Eau Claire Street, 1960.
Businesses in 400 block of Water Street, 1978. Taco Island and this car make for an excellent photo.