Marine on Saint Croix offers laid-back living and outdoor fun
Marine on Saint Croix had humble beginnings in 1839 as the site of Minnesota’s first commercial sawmill. Although the original Marine Mills no longer stands, Marine on Saint Croix maintains its historic charm with a quaint downtown center, impressive river views and ample outdoor adventures. “My wife and I met in the area when we were young people, and when we were starting to raise a small family, our hearts were in Marine on Saint Croix,” says Mayor Kevin Nyenhuis. “There’s a good number of multi-generational families that have stayed in the area.” Families choose the town for access to respected schools and a straightforward, 45-minute commute to the Twin Cities metro, but scenic views and a laid-back atmosphere have also made it a popular retirement destination. Marine on Saint Croix — or simply Marine to most residents — has a population of about 660, which increases significantly during the summer as tourists flock to the river and nearby William O’Brien State Park.
Year-round recreation on the St. Croix River and William O’Brien State Park
Marine on Saint Croix becomes a hub of tourism during the peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. “We have William O’Brien State Park, one of the best state parks in Minnesota, and it’s half in our community. That brings in a great bit of people,” Mayor Nyenhuis says. Folks can camp, hike more than 12 miles of trails, swim on Lake Alice, traverse Nordic skiing trails, and canoe to the St. Croix River. The river is another major source of activity with kayaking, fishing and paddle boarding. Recreation doesn’t stop in the winter; there’s plenty of snowmobiling, skiing and ice fishing in the area. “I build an igloo annually,” Mayor Nyenhuis says. Residents and locals alike can take a historic walking tour through town to visit sites like the Stone House Museum, which served as the first town hall and jail in 1872, and an early settler’s cabin that dates back to 1852.
Diverse housing options and a conservation-focused neighborhood
The town has less than 700 residents, so homes can be hard to come by. The median price is $650,000, which is higher than the Scandia median of about $550,000 and the Chisago City median of roughly $400,000. Buyers can find houses and log cabins on multiple acres in the countryside and waterfront properties along the St. Croix River. Homes in town tend to have farmhouse, ranch-style and Craftsman influences. One unique offering in the area is Jackson Meadow, an award-winning clustered housing development with an emphasis on conservation and community. All-white Scandinavian farmhouses sit in a prairie-like setting with nearly 200 acres of permanently preserved land and more than 6 miles of maintained trails for skiing, hiking and more.
Marine General Store has served locals for more than 175 years
The town’s claim to fame is the Marine General Store, which has served the town since 1870. “We have the longest-running general store in Minnesota. You can have an account, give them your number, and you just get billed at the end of the month,” Mayor Nyenhuis says. “People go elsewhere for their bulk provisions, but we always try to support the general store, especially during the off season.” Marine might be small, but its restaurant selection isn’t. “We’ve got a coffee shop, a pizza restaurant, an ice cream shop and all these other good things. We kind of have it all covered,” he says. St. Croix Chocolate Company specializes in hand-made, small-batch confections, while Brookside Bar and Grill is known for burgers, pizza and live music on the patio. Stillwater has more options and big-box stores about 15 miles away.
Highly rated schools in Stillwater
Kids may attend schools in the Stillwater Area Public Schools District. The district serves 18 communities across 150 square miles and is graded A-minus by Niche. Students can start at Stonebridge Elementary School, rated B, before heading to Stillwater Middle School, which receives an A-minus. Stillwater Area High School, also rated A-minus, offers 30 college-level courses and more than 100 electives. Alternatively, kids in Kindergarten through fifth grade can attend Marine Village School, a public charter elementary school in town. For hobbyists, Marine Mills Folk School offers woodworking, fiber art and traditional craftmaking classes. “I teach a paddle-making class, and there’s all kinds of classes you can take,” Mayor Nyenhuis says. “That has been a blessing, to bring other visitors to our community and get people involved.”
Drivers can get to the Twin Cities within 45 minutes
The St. Croix Scenic Byway runs through town and connects to Route 36, the area’s main avenue to the Twin Cities. St. Paul is about 30 miles away, while Minneapolis is roughly 40 miles away. Drivers can reach Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport within 45 miles. Emergency care is available at Lakeview Hospital in Stillwater.
Fundraising for the fire department at the Firemen’s Street Dance
Residents and visitors alike head to Brookside’s patio for the Brookside Summer Music Series held every weekend from late May through early October. Locals also look forward to the fire department’s annual fundraiser. “We have our annual Firemen’s Street Dance, which is where my wife and I first danced together in the ‘80s,” Mayor Nyenhuis says.
Written By
Leslie Klosterman
