Address: 29 W Spring St
Community: Chippewa Falls
Category: Arts + History / Play + Shop
The Oldest Commercial Building in the City of Chippewa Falls is a significant reminder of the city’s earliest business and Civil War-era history. Built around 1859 by Peter Morie, it once served as a saloon and boarding house for loggers and other travelers passing through the growing town.
- What it’s about:
This building was originally a gathering place for workers and visitors in early Chippewa Falls. In 1861, local young men reportedly enlisted for Civil War service in the basement, adding another layer of historical significance to the site. - What changed over time:
The building once had an open stairway leading to the basement, where the covered front porch is now located. According to local historian Thomas McBean, Old Abe the Civil War Bald Eagle also stayed nearby in a barn behind the building during the summer of 1864. - Why it matters:
As the oldest commercial building in Chippewa Falls, it connects the city’s logging-era past, Civil War history, and one of Wisconsin’s most famous symbols, Old Abe. It stands as a rare and meaningful piece of the city’s early development.