Oldest Commercial Building in Chippewa Falls
The building to your right is the oldest commercial building in Chippewa Falls. It was built (Circa 1859) by Peter Morie (Morey) and was used originally as a Saloon and Boarding House for lumberjacks and others. In 1861 at the start of the Civil War, the young men who enlisted for service in the war did so in the basement of this building. At the time, it had an open stairway to the basement where the covered porch is now located.
Local historian, Thomas McBean, reported that "Old Abe," the famous Civil War Bald Eagle, was home on veterans furlough in the summer of 1864. During his stay "Old Abe" made his home in the hay loft of a barn in the rear of this building.
Chippewa County Historical
Society Marker Sign #37
Marker is on West Spring Street west of North Bridge Street, on the left when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
