Charming Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota is a historic town on the St. Croix River. With its lush river setting away from other towns and cities, structures dating back to the mid-19th century, and passenger cars from a bygone railway haunting its tracks, you’d be forgiven for thinking this lovely town of fewer than 700 people had been frozen in time.
Marine on St. Croix was originally established in 1839 as Marine Mills - the first commercial saw mill on the St. Croix River.
Its downtown area, on the National Register of Historic Places, is dominated by an 1870 general store and the town’s 1888 Village Hall.
A plaque commemorating the mill stands on the original site. You can still hike a trail to its historic foundations along the river.
They lay within the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, a National Park Service unit that encompasses the St. Croix and its banks in this stretch of the river.
The Stone House Museum, an example of Swedish immigrant stonework, was built in 1872 to serve as the town hall and jail.
An early settler’s cabin from 1852 still stands in the town, as well.
The Marine General Store has been serving customers for more than 150 years in this darling Minnesota small town.
It’s the oldest general store in Minnesota and also a beloved bakery.
There is a surprising number of dining options in this small town.
Brookside Bar and Grill, renowned for its burgers, is likely the most popular.
An award-winning chocolatier makes its home in Marine, as well.
St. Croix Chocolate Co. pulls off some truly amazing confectionery feats with its products.
There’s plenty of natural beauty in the area, too.
You can hike, bike, camp, picnic, and paddle in William O’Brien State Park.
Marine on St. Croix is directly adjacent to the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, which also offers plenty of recreational opportunities, such as camping, fishing, and paddling.
A road trip is a great way to explore this national park unit.
The Minnesota Transportation Museum operates a train of old Great Northern Railroad cars that runs from Osceola, Wisconsin to Marine on St. Croix.
To see Marine on St. Croix from a different perspective, board the Osceola and St. Croix Valley Railway in Osceola for a scenic day trip. Fall is a lovely time for a train ride through the river valley.
While this town is clearly rooted here in the present, its historic aesthetic and old-fashioned charm make Marine on St. Croix, MN feel like it's frozen in time. We encourage you to head over to Marine and experience it for yourself! Enjoy a weekend getaway by staying at this historic schoolhouse converted to a rental cottage.
Have you visited Marine on St. Croix, Minnesota? What was your experience? What other small towns in Minnesota feel like they may have been frozen in time? Let us know in the comments section or on our nomination page - we love to hear from you!
If you travel up the eastern border of Minnesota from Marine on St. Croix, MN you'll reach the Gunflint Trail in the very tippy-top corner of the state. Watch this quick video to learn more about this scenic drive along the National Scenic Byway:
Subscribe to our newsletter
Get the latest updates and news
Thank you for subscribing!