Taylors Falls Historical Society

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Taylors Falls Historical Society

Consider joining the Taylors Falls Historical Society. For membership information, visit www.tfhistory.com. General Information: Adults $5.00, 6-17 yrs $1.00.

Visit the Historic 1855 Folsom House and the 1852 Town House School while you're in Taylors Falls! Open Memorial Day Weekend through September, Fridays-Sundays, and holidays from 1pm to 4:30pm. Children under 6 get in free. Members of the Minnesota Historical Society and the Taylors Falls Historical Society get in free. Pre-arranged group tours (10 or more guests) available at other times." Owned

by the Minnesota Historical Society and operated by the Taylors Falls Historical Society. Also, stop in to see the Visitor Center which is located just down the hill from the Folsom House in the lower level of the community center (the old train depot - 312 Government Street, Taylors Falls, MN 55084). The Visitor Center is open Saturday, Sunday and Holidays from 1:00 to 4:00 P.M. No entrance fee. Lower level of the Taylors Falls Memorial Community Center.

05/31/2026

The Caspar Hauser building 1866-1902

Black and white photo:
1869 photo of the 1866 Caspar Hauser building as it appeared in its Italianate style with rooftop belvedere until 1887. It was constructed of buff-colored Kasota stone, which is a limestone quarried in Kasota Township, Le Sueur County, Minnesota. The building's trim was painted brown. A belvedere is a rooftop structure specifically designed for viewing the surroundings.

Sepia photo:
1901 photo of the Hauser-Ellison building after its 1887 remodeling into a French Second Empire style for Smith Ellison. Its new roof was painted bright red. This building, which stood on the northeast corner of Bench and First Streets, burned in 1902. It housed a wide variety of businesses during its thirty-six years.

05/28/2026

A group posed in front of the 1859 Dresser/Murdock House, located at 343 Basil St.

Written on photo reverse:
"1927
Standing L to R
Mrs. E.W. Folsom
Miss Helene Paine
Miss Jean Paine
Mrs. H.G. Murdock (Frances)
Mrs. J.M. Folsom (Tine)
Seated
Mrs. Bertha Paine
Miss Barbara Folsom
W.X. Folsom (the old man)"

05/21/2026

Late in 1900 at Taylors Falls' third railroad station (looking north)... with William H. Everett, the railroad station agent, and Miss Edith Mae Tang. If this station were still standing it would be just south of the Taylors Falls Memorial Community Center (originally the fourth railroad station).
Mr. Everett was the station agent from October 1899 to August 1902. Miss Tang was 19 was this photograph was taken and was then learning telegraphy from Mr. Everett. But she did not use what she learned, as she soon moved away, married, and did not work as a telegraph operator.
- Information via Jack P. Liljenberg

05/15/2026

It's time for Pioneer School!

Each summer the Taylors Falls Historical Society opens the Town House School, built in 1854, for Pioneer School!

Pioneer School sessions include history, arithmetic, handwriting, wood projects and old time games. This is a 3-day session and the cost is $40. The school day is from 10am to 2:30pm. Students bring their own lunch.

There are 4 sessions available:
June 23-25
July 7-9 (girls only)
July 14-16
July 21-23

For more information and to register, visit the Taylors Falls Historical Society Website: https://tfhistory.com/pioneer-school/

05/08/2026

Four boys sit on the original front steps of the Folsom House. The year is unknown, but likely around the turn of the 20th Century, based on their ages. Notice the wood plank "sidewalk" leading away from the steps to the right (east).

Written on reverse of the photo:
“Stanley Folsom
Ralph Bramhall
Erwin Folsom
John Folsom”

05/05/2026

Now / Then: First Presbyterian Church

Taylors Falls’ Presbyterian congregation was established in April 1866. Two years later, in 1868, the congregation had a church building erected by John L. Bullard and his crew. The church was completed in September 1868, and it stood facing south on Block 1, lot 1 (about where is now the west parking lot of the former Pines Motel on River Street). The church was a wooden, 33' x 55' building of Gothic Revival-style architecture.

The church had fifty-two pews/slips and could comfortably seat about 250 people. The pews were constructed in the same design as the pews in the 1861 Methodist Episcopal Church (now the United Methodist Church) in Taylors Falls. The pews had a fake wood-grain finish of butternut and black walnut stain.

The Presbyterian congregation was never a large one, and within just a few years of its founding a significant number of its members either died or moved away. From the mid 1870s to the end of that century, the congregation struggled, and the church was often closed and without a minister for long periods of time.

The small congregation finally decided to dissolve itself in 1902. In July of that year, its church building was carefully dismantled, and its salvaged materials (including its bell) were shipped to Forest Lake for use in the construction of a church there.

Photos:
1: Circa-1900 photo of the 1868 Presbyterian church, looking northwest
2: 2026 photo of the approximate location
3: 2026 close-up of the church's historical marker
4: Undated photo of the 1868 Presbyterian church, looking northeast
5: 2026 photo of the approximate location

04/30/2026

A postcard showing the hydroelectric dam, located between Taylors Falls and St. Croix Falls.

Text on reverse reads:
"Taylors Falls, Minn
April 23rd 1916.
Highest water since 1895.
Compliments of Chas Roos
Power House opposite Taylors Falls - Minn"

04/28/2026

The 2026 season at the Folsom House Historic Site starts Memorial Day weekend!

We're always looking for volunteers to give tours and help with events. If you or someone you know might be interested, please contact Site Administrator, Alyssa Auten, at [email protected] or at 651-465-3125.

04/22/2026

Enjoying a picnic lunch on the rocks of Minnesota Interstate State Park in 1920; a fitting picture to share on such a warm day in the river valley!
Names of the subjects are unknown. Comment if you recognize anyone.

Address

312 Government Street
Taylors Falls, MN
55084

Website

http://tfhistory.com/

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