Prescott is a quiet town at the meeting point of two rivers
Prescott is a Wisconsin town that is defined by its position near two major American waterways. “It’s a small, scenic river town that sort of comes together at the conflux of the St. Croix and Mississippi,” says Realtor Melissa Wiegele with Coldwell Banker Burnet, an area resident of nearly 20 years. “There’s less than 5,000 people, so everybody knows each other. It’s always been slower to expand, but in the last few years we’ve drastically increased our infrastructure, and that’s brought new interest and some new communities. Ten years ago, there wasn’t much but the restaurants and the grocery store. Now, that’s all changed, with even more to come.”
Modern Traditional homes on Prescott’s south side
Because Prescott was established in 1839, farmhouses and cottages still stand on some of the tree-shaded lots in town. “There are quite a few historic homes, built in the mid- to late-1850s, and not all of them have historic designations or boundaries set on them for potential renovations,” Wiegele says. “We’re also seeing some newer subdivisions going in on the south edge of town.” While these newer developments have added Modern Traditional homes to the mix, midcentury ranch-style houses and Craftsman bungalows can also be found. Prices typically range from $100,000 to $655,000, depending on square footage, lot size, build year and number of bedrooms.
Prescott schools earn solid grades and boast a standout dance program
The Prescott School District receives an overall B-plus from Niche. Malone Elementary and Prescott Middle both earn A-minuses. Prescott High is rated B and offers a jazz dance program that has won the state championship six times since 2011.
Outdoor pastimes befitting a river town
The confluence of the St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers define outdoor recreation in Prescott. “It’s a boating town. There are lots of places along the water to pull your boat up and grab drinks or dinner,” Wiegele says. Fishing in the river for walleye or smallmouth bass is also a regular pastime. There is a baseball diamond at Public Square Park, and there are three more on the east edge of town. Golfers can head up to Clifton Highlands, a public 18-hole course.
Boaters can dock and dine at several restaurants in town
Prescott’s main grocery store is Ptacek’s IGA, located on the north side of town. The closest big-box retailer is the Walmart Supercenter in Hastings, Minnesota, just across the river. Broad Street is the main commercial district in Prescott, loaded with eateries and boutiques. “Kitchen Table is a great little breakfast place right on Broad Street,” Wiegele says. “And Muddy Waters is a bar that has been there for as long as I can remember. They have a big patio, and it seems like there’s always live music when the weather is nice.” Several restaurants, including Two Rivers Lodge Bar and Grill, offer dock space for boaters who want to enjoy a meal after a day on the water.
Commuters cross the river at the U.S. 10 drawbridge
U.S. Highway 10 and state Route 35 converge in Prescott, providing access to the Twin Cities in Minnesota. “There are a lot of people in this part of Wisconsin who commute across the river to Minnesota,” Wiegele says. “From Prescott, you have to take U.S. 10 and go across the drawbridge. Your only other options to cross would be to go north to Hudson or south to Hager City.” U.S. 10 is also the quickest way to get to United Hospital in Hastings, the closest area medical center.
