Welcome to Downtown Park Falls ~ 877-762-2703 ~ www.parkfalls.com

In 1876 the first homesteads of the area were built along the North Fork of the Flambeau River at what became known as Muskellunge Falls. The Wisconsin Central Railway opened rail service between Milwaukee and Ashland in the summer of 1877, the same year the first school was established in a small log hut on the south side of town.

Henry Sherry purchased the Cornell University land around the falls in 1885 and built the first band-saw mill in northern Wisconsin. The post office opened in the company store in 1889 and because the pines near the falls gave the spot the look of a park, Muskellunge Falls was renamed Park Falls. The famous Flambeau River marks the eastern boundary of Park Falls.

Park Falls became a village in 1901 and a city in 1912. The rail depot was built in 1912. Paper production and saw mills helped the city develop. During the great Depression many of the small mills closed. The city was one of nine sites selected for federal buildings in the 1930s. This assured that the Forest Service Central offices would remain in Park Falls. Government jobs and developing tourism helped make up for the loss of the small mill. Today the paper mill, wood, health care facilities, tourism and state and federal agencies make up the economic base of Park Falls.

There are unique shops with everything from antiques to cell phones. You can take in a movie, have your nails done, relax with a massage and do your banking. Restaurants and taverns are prepared to fuel hungry and thirsty travelers. Most feature the always-popular Friday night fish fry. Snowmobile and ATV riders have access to the downtown area from most area lodging facilities.

Preisler Park, located on the northern boundary of downtown Park Falls, is home to the Park Falls Recreation Arena as well as a skateboard facility. The indoor ice arena hosts hockey practice and games and an active figure skating group, as well as other community events, such as the annual Spring Expo and the Jonny Angel community picnic.

Triangle Park, located in the center of Park Falls, provides rest rooms and picnic tables, as well as a pavilion to accommodate many outdoor activities throughout the year.

Events ~
March – Price Ice Figure Skating Show
April – Easter Egg-Stravaganza
May – Spring Expo
July – 4th of July Celebration and Fireworks
July/August – Flambeau Rama
August – Jonny Angel Annual Community Picnic
September – Flambeau Forty on Road Bike Race
October – Ruffed Grouse Fall Festival
October – Moonlight Madness
November – Santa arrives at the Santa Village
November – Free Christmas Movie
November – Community Christmas Tree Lighting
November – Christmas Parade

Historic Buildings ~

First Congregational Church – This 1918 Gothic-style building is made of Indiana velvet pressed brick with Bedford stone trim and has art glass windows. It was the first church organized in Park Falls and had the first pipe organ in the city. (279 North 1st Avenue)

Flambeau River Paper Mill Office – The 1920s were prosperous years for this mill, as they were for all area mills. In 1929 the company completed its red brick headquarters with a distinctive main section and clock tower. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is home to the Fraser Paper Company offices. (200 North 1st Avenue)

U.S. Post Office – The Park Falls Federal Building was constructed in 1936 and housed the post office in addition to offices for the newly-designated Chequamegon National Forest, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and other smaller federal agencies. A 1930s Works Projects Administration (WPA) mural for the lobby of the post office was painted by Madison artist John Watrous. Visitors can still enjoy the unusual mural depicting a river fight among river drivers on the Flambeau River. The post office is the only federal office still located here. (109 1st Street North)

Park Theatre – This theatre was built in 1950 by the Esterl Amusement Company. In 1951, it received an award from the International Movie Industry for the most modern and well-equipped theatre. The interior was restored in 1996 to its original Art-Deco/International décor. A single screen has been retained in the 420-seat auditorium. (199 North 2nd Avenue)

Wisconsin Central Depot – The Wisconsin Central Railroad was the first railroad through the area. It brought supplies for building northern cities while hauling wood out of the region. This depot was built in 1912 by the Soo Line and had separate waiting rooms for men and women, electric lights, running water, steam heat, and a sewer system. It was said that this depot was “on par with those in much larger cities.” The depot was remodeled in 1996. Freight trains still run several times a day. (Division Street)

Bass Building – The original Bass building burned in 1919. The building and supplies were a total loss, and the insurance did not cover all of the damage. Local business people helped Mr. Bass raise the money to rebuild the structure in 1920. This building was fireproof with steel beams both upstairs and downstairs. It served as a meat market and grocery store for many years. The building was renovated in 1995 and is currently home to Upper Street Apparel. (176 South 3rd Avenue)

Enhelder Building – Constructed in 1924, this building was leased for use as a post office until 1938. It has housed a variety of businesses since then, including a tavern, Ben Franklin store, clothing store, video store and offices. (399 Division Street)

Savoy Theatre Building – This theatre began showing silent movies when it was built in 1909. The house was packed in 1912 for a showing of 26 illuminated pictures of the wreck of the Titanic and again in 1916 for the popular motion picture “The Birth of a Nation.” The Prickril family purchased the building in 1919 and ran a bakery there until 1956. The last business at this location was a CARQUEST. (409 Division Street)

Park Falls Library – In the midst of the flourishing 1920s, the city tore down the Flambeau Hotel and erected the city hall on this site. It housed city offices as well as the library, jail, fire department, and an auditorium. Many social and civic activities took place here. In 1980, the city offices were moved to Highway 13 South. The building is being used solely as a library at the present time. (410 Division Street)

St. Anthony’s Church and School – This two-story building was originally built in 1921 to house both the church and the school. It replaced a European-style church on North 2nd Avenue. The rectory was located next door. In 1976, a new church was constructed and the school took over the entire building. (276 South 5th Avenue)