ST. CROIX COUNTY, WI HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

St. Croix County, Wisconsin: A Genealogical Overview

Positioned on the western edge of Wisconsin, St. Croix County is a dynamic region where the rolling farmlands of the heartland meet the vibrant metropolitan influence of the Minneapolis-St. Paul area across the scenic St. Croix River. Its history is deeply rooted in the river that gives it its name—a vital artery for the fur trade, the massive 19th-century lumber boom, and the waves of European immigrants who cleared the land to build a rich agricultural community. For genealogists, the county’s records provide a detailed look into the development of western Wisconsin and the diverse peoples who settled it.

I. County Formation and Evolution

St. Croix County was once a massive territorial county whose boundaries stretched deep into what is now northern Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. Locating the earliest records requires understanding this complex jurisdictional history.

  • 1840: County Formed: St. Croix County was established by the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature on January 9, 1840.
  • Parent County: It was created from the western portion of Crawford County. At the time of its creation, its territory was vast and ill-defined. All records for the region prior to 1840 would be found in the records of Crawford County or its predecessors (Michigan Territory, etc.).
  • A “Mother County”: The original immense territory of St. Croix County was systematically partitioned to create numerous other counties as the region was settled. Its land was used in the formation of:
    • La Pointe County (1845)
    • Chippewa County (1845)
    • Pierce County (1853)
    • Polk County (1853)
    • Dunn County (1854)
  • Name Origin: The county is named for the St. Croix River, which forms its western border. The river was named by French explorers, likely after a Frenchman, Monsieur St. Croix, who reportedly drowned at its mouth in the 17th century.
  • County Seat History: The county seat location was contested in the early years. After Stillwater was lost to Minnesota when Wisconsin achieved statehood in 1848, the seat moved briefly to Buena Vista before Hudson (originally known as Willow River) was officially designated the permanent county seat in 1852.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The St. Croix River valley was the traditional homeland of the Dakota (Sioux) and Ojibwe (Chippewa) peoples, who valued the region for its rich hunting and fishing grounds.
  • Fur Trade: From the late 17th century, French, followed by British and American fur traders, were the first Europeans in the area, establishing trading posts to trade with the native tribes.
  • The Lumber Boom: The primary driver of settlement in the mid-19th century was the logging industry. The vast white pine forests were harvested to help build the growing cities of the Midwest. Logs were floated down the St. Croix River to major sawmilling centers. This era brought thousands of lumberjacks and mill workers to the region, many of whom were recent immigrants from Scandinavia, Germany, Ireland, and French Canada.
  • Agricultural Development: As the pine forests were cleared, the land was sold to new settlers for farming. The county developed a strong agricultural economy, becoming a leader in dairy, wheat, and corn production. This period saw large-scale immigration from Norway, Germany, Denmark, and the Netherlands, with families establishing distinct rural communities that still retain their cultural heritage.
  • Railroad Expansion: The arrival of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railway (“The Omaha Road”) in the 1870s was transformative, connecting St. Croix County’s farms and businesses to national markets and encouraging further settlement.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for St. Croix County are well-preserved, with a key archival center located at the local university.

  • County Government Center: The main offices are in Hudson, WI. In Wisconsin, the Register of Deeds is the primary office for most genealogical records.
    • Register of Deeds: Holds land records (deeds, mortgages) and is the primary repository for all vital records, including births, deaths, marriages, and divorces, from the county’s early history to the present.
    • Clerk of Circuit Court: Maintains all court case files, including civil and criminal proceedings, as well as naturalization records created prior to 1906.
    • Register in Probate: Holds all probate court records, including wills and estate administration files.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Death, and Marriage Records: While statewide registration began in 1907, county-level recording started much earlier. Records at the St. Croix County Register of Deeds office date back to the 1850s, though they can be sparse in the earliest years.
  • Libraries and Archives:
    • UW-River Falls Area Research Center (ARC): This is the most important destination for in-depth historical research. As part of the Wisconsin Historical Society network, it is the official archives for St. Croix County’s historical government records, including tax rolls, court records, and naturalizations. It also holds maps, photographs, newspapers, and manuscript collections.
    • St. Croix County Historical Society: Located in Hudson, it operates a museum and research library containing family files, photographs, and local history resources.
    • Hudson Area Public Library: Has a local history room with genealogical materials.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Polk County (north)
    • Barron County (northeast)
    • Dunn County (east)
    • Pierce County (south)
    • Washington County, Minnesota (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks