This old family summer place -- the first house built on the beautiful St. Croix -- has only a large lawn separating it from the riverbank. On its three other sides are woods. This portion of the river was designated a wild and scenic river by the federal government in the 1970s, which halted development on the water; the view of the opposite (Wisconsin) side of the river is of undeveloped forest and river flats laced with sloughs, where eagles, herons, beaver and other wildlife can be sighted. Amazingly, this peaceful, old-world gem is less than an hour from the Twin Cities.
Since this house was built in 1912 it has been altered and expanded and updated gradually without losing any of its old-world charm; antiques (and the quirks and idiosyncrasies that come with a country house that has grown organically along with a family over the course of a century) coexist with modern conveniences.
The house is ideal for family gatherings. It features numerous bedrooms (including two sleeping porches): one queen-size bed, two full-size, and five twin (plus a very comfy sofa); a 'Pack 'n' Play' can be provided. There are two-and-a-half baths (including one claw-foot tub and one shower). There is a large, charming, well-equipped kitchen with a separate eating area; a big living room with high ceilings and a wood-burning fireplace; a screened dining porch with a long table; a rear utility/laundry porch; a large, screened gazebo-style front porch and an unscreened deck, both overlooking the river. In the summer, one can sit on the front porch or deck and observe the hummingbirds zooming and hovering and frequenting the flowers and hummingbird feeders; our seed feeders also attract an array of birdlife. A swing hangs from one of the towering, old white pines at the edge of the lawn.
There is a shared boat landing/swimming area with dock (and canoe and kayak which renters may use); if you have your own boat to put in, there is a public boat-launch nearby, and from there you may keep your boat on our shoreline. (Note that we are in a Slow/No Wake zone.) The property also features a nice, shady tennis court, also shared. The St. Croix river is great for swimming, fishing, canoeing, birdwatching, and hanging out on sandbars.
Although secluded, the house is one mile from a state park with hiking trails, five minutes from the historic village of Marine-on-St.-Croix, and twenty minutes each to Taylor's Falls/St.Croix Falls, Stillwater, and Forest Lake, which offer rock-climbing, antique shops, gourmet restaurants, movies, paddlewheel river-boat rides. The small town of Osceola, ten minutes away, offers some of the above as well as weekend antique train rides down the valley and back, about an hour and a half roundtrip.
Well-behaved dogs welcome with damage deposit (and we ask that you please pick up after your dog). No cats.
This house is strictly non-smoking.
More photos available on request.
If summer does not work out for you, consider post-Labor Day; that time of year is beautiful, too, as the leaves begin to change and everything is even quieter. Small weddings have used this property as a location (and in that event, further accommodations might be arranged -- inquire if interested. Cost and availability will vary).
Keywords: Rambling cottage
