Area History Center & Genealogical Society

123 Allen Street, Chippewa Falls
(715) 723-4399

Chippewa Falls is rich in history. You can see the history throughout the quaint city. What started out as an area of lumber with the largest sawmill in the world became an area of farming and today a large part of Chippewa Falls is supported by many manufactures. For more history about Chippewa Falls stop by the History Center.

Hours: Tuesdays 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Chippewa County Genealogical Links
Chippewa County Wisconsin Genealogy
Chippewa County WIGenWeb
Chippewa County Cemeteries

Chippewa County Historical Markers

Chippewa County's many recreational facilities and beautiful scenery are enjoyed by thousands of vacationers and outdoor enthusiasts each year. ... places of historical interest throughout the county are noted by official county and state markers. Chippewa County is a beautiful county with many historical markers along with many historical museums and genealogy societies.

Chippewa Springs

The first test of this pure water was done in 1895 and was found to be
remarkably pure and tests the same to this day. In 1977 the first annual
Pure Water Days celebration was held and every year since then.
During the Saturday of this event tours are given in celebration of our pure
water.

The Cook-Rutledge Mansion
505 West Grand Avenue, Chippewa Falls
(715) 723-7181
The Cook-Rutledge Mansion is in the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the finest examples of High Victorian Italianate architecture.The Mansion has an interesting history that extends to various parts of Chippewa Falls.
Mr. Edward Rutledge performed extensive remodeling when he purchased the house. He made the Mansion one of the most beautiful and elegant homes in Northern Wisconsin. Mr. Rutledge also built the Hannah M. Rutledge home for the Aged, located on Bridgewater Avenue, in memory of his beloved wife.

In 1915 Dayton Cook purchased the home and in 1973 it was sold to the Chippewa County Historical Society by surviving family member Mabel Cook. This made it possible to have this beautiful mansion open to the public for tours. During the Christmas Holidays the Mansion is decorated in a beautiful Victorian manner.  Cook Rutledge Mansion is also open to the public for meetings, weddings and photography.  For more information and rates call (715) 723-7181.

June, July & August, Thursday - Sunday -Tours at 2 p.m.
Group Tours Available Throughout the Year
Christmas Open House: 1-5 pm, First Sunday in December
Christmas Tours: Second & Third Saturday & Sunday in December

Donations: Adults $5.00-18 years or under $1.00

Historic Downtown
While many downtown areas are dying, Chippewa Falls Downtown is very much alive! The Chippewa Falls Main Street is continuously working to restore the downtown area and to bring new and innovative programs to rejuvenate Chippewa's Downtown. They are successfully bringing back the quaint historical look and they have received many prestigious awards to prove it.
One program the Chippewa Falls Main Street has developed was the Self-paced Historical Walking Tour. For a brochure of the tour contact the Main Street Office at (715) 723-7858.

Leinenkugels has been a big part of the Chippewa Falls history. Not only do we have the historical brewery, but there is also a cave in Irvine Park that the Leinenkugel beer was stored in before there was adequate refrigeration. Jacob Leinenkugel opened his brewery in 1867 to produce the finest beer in the land. Today thousands enjoy Leinenkugels beer and specialty brews. Join the many visitors who tour the Jacob Leinenkugel Brewing Company each year on their trips to the Northwoods of Wisconsin. Experience how their Specialty Beers are hand-crafted in small 160-barrel batches. At the end of your tour enjoy a couple of samples of Leinenkugels and enjoy browsing through the fabulous gift shop.

Leinie Lodge Hours and Tour Schedule Monday-Thursday & Saturday: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday 9 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sunday 11a.m. to 4 p.m. Brewery Tours every half-hour during the Leinie Lodge hours of operation, seven days a week.

The Leinie Lodge is closed Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day. For more information on Leinenkugels Call toll free (888) LEINIES, Maximum 15 people per tour Reservations Recommended

Mason Companies, Inc.

Mason Companies, Inc. has made great strides since its founding by Bert Mason in 1904. Beginning with only 5 or 6 employees, the firm now employs several hundred, and is one of the largest employers in the Chippewa Falls area.

The shoes cannot be purchased in shoe stores anywhere, with the exception of their shoe outlet store here in downtown Chippewa Falls. The outlet store has over 85,000 pairs of shoes and boots to choose from.