Situated in southeastern Minnesota, along the Mississippi River, just south of its confluence with the Chippewa River, the city of Wabasha is the county seat of Wabasha County.
Inhabited continuously since 1826, Wabasha is one of the oldest cities on the upper Mississippi River.
The city was named for the Sioux Chief Wa-pa-shaw, whose chief camping ground was in this area. The Chief's nephew, Augustin Rocque, was the first white settler in the area that was to become Wapasha. His father was a French fur trader and his mother was the sister of the Chief. Sometime after the War of 1812, Augustin established a home on the Upper Mississippi River, extending his trading operations.
Although treaties existed at that time reserving this land for the tribes, an article in the treaty allowed those with part Indian blood to settle permanently.
Augustin Rocque built a larger trading post in 1833, just north of the current location of Saint Elizabeth Hospital in Wabasha. Duncan Campbell built a cabin near that of Augustin Rocque
An 1837 treaty allowed whites to settle on the west side of the Mississippi River, and in the fall of 1838, Oliver Cratte became the first white man without Indian blood to settle in the area of the village of Wabasha. He opened a blacksmith shop there. Soon after, Joseph Buisson came, and Pierre Hortobese, another nephew of Chief Wa-ba-shaw, built a small home on the south side of the Zumbro River, south of Wabasha. An elderly man by the name of LaBatte built a shanty for Alexis Bailly in 1840. These early settlers were engaged in trade with the Indians or employed by the US government.
The village wasn't named Wabasha until 1843, and the original spelling was Wabashaw. The ending "w" was dropped in 1868. The community was first known as Cratte's Landing.
Lumber was an important industry for the new town, and it was a minor commercial center, as well, until the railroad replaced the steamboats that moved up and down the Mississippi. Clamming was also a significant industry for a time. Initially, clammers would search for pearls in Lake Pepin, just north of Wabasha, and discard the shells. Later, they found that the shells could be used in the manufacture of buttons and other items. Button factories were established in Wabasha and Lake City. Around 1940, the introduction of synthetics brought an end to the clamming industry.
Wabasha was named the county seat of Wabasha County in 1843, platted in 1854, and incorporated as a city in 1858. In 1850, the post office in Nelson's Landing, Wisconsin was moved across the river and named Wabashaw.
In 1857, the first of five state roads to be completed in Minnesota was the Mendota to Wabasha road. Ten years later, the Minnesota Central Railroad laid a track parallel to the road, and in 1871, the Chicago, Milwaukee and Saint Paul Railroad connected Wabasha to the cities of the east and established a station in Wabasha.
By 1915, the city had two banks, five churches, two public school buildings, a Catholic school, and nine lodges, as well as seventeen elevators, a mercantile store, a lumber yard, and a boatyard. Saint Elizabeth Hospital, a Catholic orphanage and poor farm, a fire department, and a health department were in operation. Others included the Wells Fargo Express Company, the Princess Theatre, Anderson Hotel, and Big Jo Flour Mill.
The population of Wabasha has remained in the 2000s since 1880, with a peak population of 2,599 in 2000.
The area is known for its eagles, and is the location of the National Eagle Center, which focuses on the conservation, research, and educational efforts on the part of eagles.
This is a guide to the city of Wabasha, Minnesota. Websites representing the municipal and county government, as well as local businesses, churches, schools, organizations, and individuals are appropriate for this category.
Recommended Resources
Wabasha, Minnesota is the county seat of Wabasha County. The official municipal website offers news and highlights of the city, directions to the city hall, business hours, contacts, and a community calendar. The city council is acknowledged, council meeting agendas and minutes are posted, along with the city code, access to various forms and documents, election information, and a resident’s guide.
https://www.wabasha.org/
Eagles on the River & Historic Anderson House Hotel
Located on Main Street, just over a block from the Mississippi River, the Wabasha, Minnesota hotel is highlighted. Offering guest accommodations in the Historic Anderson House Hotel or the Carriage House, photographs are displayed, along with descriptions, rates, group specials, and extended stay options, and packages. A calendar of events, gift certificates, and an overview of area attractions are included.
https://eaglesontheriver.com/
Affiliated with the Southeastern Minnesota Synod of the Evangelical Church in America, the congregation meets at its facilities on Hiawatha Drive East in Wabasha, Minnesota. Weekly schedules and announcements are published to the site, along with a calendar of upcoming programs and events, activity registrations, newsletters, project reports, committee updates, and links to other Lutheran resources.
https://www.faithlutheranwabasha.org/
Situated in Wabasha, Minnesota, the organization began in 1989 as EagleWatch, which remains its corporate legal name. Originally a group of volunteers who shared with visitors views of wintering bald eagles, the organization opened year-round in 2000 and, in 2007, it entered an agreement with the City of Wabasha to open an interpretive center on the banks of the Mississippi River. Its mission, history, annual reports, and contacts are featured.
https://www.nationaleaglecenter.org/
Open seasonally, the store is located near the National Eagle Center in downtown Wabasha, Minnesota, where it occupies two attached historic buildings, circa the 1870s and 1880s, carrying an inventory of furniture, glassware, toys, photographs, paintings, music items, and collectibles. Directions are given, along with its hours of operation, announcements, contacts, and payment options.
http://www.wabashaantiques.com/
Riverboat Lanes / Papa Tronnio’s Restaurant
The family restaurant, bar, and bowling alley are situated in 2nd Street West in Wabasha, Minnesota. Its location is shown on a map, and its kitchen and bar hours are posted, along with its restaurant delivery hours and delivery area, bowling hours, and league information. The restaurant’s menus are posted to the site, including kid’s meals. Job opportunities are published to the site.
https://www.riverboatlanes.com/
Located in southeastern Minnesota, Wabasha County is in both the Mississippi River Valley and the Mississippi River Bluffs Area and was one of the Minnesota Territory’s original counties. Its county seat is in the city of Wabasha. The official county website. A profile and history of the county are posted, County commissioners are acknowledged, as are its departments. Meeting schedules, maps, and employment opportunities are included.
http://www.co.wabasha.mn.us/
Wabasha County Historical Society Museum
Headquartered in what is said to be the oldest surviving brick schoolhouse in Minnesota, now operated as the Reads Landing Museum, the not-for-profit organization is charged with collecting, protecting, preserving, and interpreting materials related to the culture and history of Wabasha County. Its location, admission rates, membership policies, and contacts are posted, and a brief history of the county is told.
https://www.wabashacountyhistory.org/
The Food Shelf provides food assistance to families and adults in Wabasha, Kelllogg, and the surrounding area of southeastern Minnesota. Operated by trained volunteers, the organization’s shelves are usually stocked with non-perishable foods, frozen meats, eggs, breads, and personal care items, including limited seasonal produce. An overview of the organization, its sources of funding, and volunteer opportunities are noted.
http://www.wabashafood.com/
The Wabasha Public Library was opened in 1901, taking over from a string of earlier library services, including the Wabasha Club, the Ladies’ Reading Room and Library Association of Wabasha, and the Ladies Library Association, the library moved to its current facilities in 1968. Its location, library hours, and contacts are posted, along with information about its Book Club, Friends of the Library organization, and services.
https://wabasha.lib.mn.us/
Wabasha-Kellogg School District #811
Offering a K-12th grade public school curriculum through two school campuses, Wabasha-Kellogg Elementary School and Wabasha-Kellogg High School, both in Wabasha, Minnesota, each of its schools are highlighted, including staff directories, lunch menus, and school closings. An activity schedule is posted, and information about its community education programs and activities are included.
https://www.wabasha-kellogg.k12.mn.us/
