What is the history of Stillwater, Minnesota?
On July 29 and September 29, 1837, treaties were signed between the Federal government of the United StatesUS government and the local Ojibwa and SiouxDakota nations that allowed settlement in the St. Croix Valley. The town was founded by settlers drawn by the area’s then-abundant lumber and river traffic, making it one of Minnesota’s oldest towns, predating Minneapolis by several years. Stillwater was officially incorporated as a city March 4, 1854 (the same day as St. Paul, MinnesotaSt. Paul). Stillwater is often referred to as the birthplace of Minnesota. In 1848, a territorial convention that began the process of establishing Minnesota as a state was held in Stillwater at the corner of Myrtle and Main Streets. Minnesota officially became a territory in 1849 and became a state in 1858. Shortly after Minnesota became a territory, Stillwater was chosen as the site of the territory’s first prison. The Minnesota Territorial Prison was opened in 1853. Lumbering was the predominant indust
