"Stillwater: Where Minnesota History Began" Stillwater by Tom_Fields

During my travel in Minnesota, I spent a day sightseeing in this scenic town on the St. Croix River. Founded in 1843, this is where the elected representatives of Minnesota drew up the petition for statehood.

It's an old lumber town, with some manufacturing, dairy processing, and a growing tourist industry. This town is only about 18 miles east of St. Paul--perfect for a day trip.

View of downtown Stillwater, from the south

This is an excellent place to eat, shop, or just spend a few hours. Walking across the bridge takes you to Wisconsin (the only time I've actually been there).

• Pros:Very picturesque
• Cons:Don't remember any
• In a nutshell:This is the starting point of Minnesota history