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location: rochester life > featured stories
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Small Town Spotlight: Wabasha/Kellogg
By Gail Dennison
It's easy to see why Minnesota's early settlers chose to dwell in bluff-surrounded Wabasha.
Especially in August, as the pleasure boats and cool breezes travel along the Mississippi, it's easy to see why Minnesota's early settlers chose to dwell in bluff-surrounded Wabasha in the scenic Mississippi River Valley. Located on the Mississippi and only a 45-minute drive from Rochester, Wabasha was put on the map nationally when it became famous in the hit movie Grumpy Old Men (and later Grumpier Old Men). But, according to residents, the title is deceiving. "It is a wonderful community and the people really are friendly, not grumpy," says Mary Beth Garrigan, director of the National Eagle Center. The National Eagle Center is a project sponsored by the National Audubon Society and provides information for visitors about eagles and other wild birds that gather most abundantly in the months of February and March. Hundreds of bald eagles congregate in Wabasha as currents keep the Mississippi from freezing. "Wabasha really is unique. It gives people the opportunity to experience a preserved, historic town, and its location on the river allows for an abundance of wildlife and riverboats to be watched. There are plenty of shops and restaurants and, of course this time of year, eagles are the main attraction." The city, occupied since 1826, bills itself as "one of the oldest towns on the entire upper Mississippi River," and Wabasha has held onto its history. There are no franchised arches or large retail outlets to mar the quaintness of Wabasha. Unique shopping can be found along Main Street in the Old City Hall, a turn of the century landmark building. An array of merchandise is available in stores such as Heritage Gifts, Old City Hall Antiques, and the Old Jail. Other local shopping includes Dick's Frame and Uptown Gallery with its custom framing and gifts and a Main Street bookstore called Book Cliffs (161 Pembroke Ave., 651-565-5312), located on the river just a block from Wabasha's Eagle Observation Deck, sells used and "a few new" books, and owner Nancy Falkum can help you with your book needs or information about the area or its wildlife. The Girls (2206 Hiawatha Dr., 651-565-4026, www.thegirlsdolls.com) offers collector dolls — including French, Victorian and limited edition dolls — and doll furniture. The shop also sells children's clothing ranging from baptismal gowns and communion dresses. Eagle's Nest Coffee House (330 Second St. West, Wabasha, 651-565-2077) bakes a specialty item — described as a cross between a croissant and a bagel — and called a "Crobag." It tastes much better than it sounds. Built as a beer, bait and burger shack, Slipperys Tavern (at the west end of Main St., 651-565-4748) was immortalized in the Grumpy and Grumpier Old Men movies as "Chuck's Bait Shop." Today, the menu features everything from the Putz Burger to Morons Chicken to Catfish Hunter. Coffee Mill Golf and Country Club (651-565-4332, www.coffeemillgolf.com) features challenging par fours backdropped by breathtaking bluff views of the Mississippi and Chippewa Valley Rivers. Bentgrass tees and greens bookend the wide (and fairly forgiving) tree-lined fairways. The new clubhouse and back nine are slated to open in August. In the summer, the Mississippi River teems with pleasure boats and barges. "A lot of people see the river from the shore every day," says Mike Fries, the owner of Great River Houseboats (651-565-3376, www.greatriverhouseboats.com). "But you don't really understand how beautiful it is until you spend some time on it." And he's right. We rented a Great River Houseboat (see our May 2001 issue), and it was as good a three-day weekend as it gets. Great River Houseboats is located within Wabasha Marina Boatyard (1009 Main St., 651-565-4747). The private, three-and-a-half acre marina and boatyard provides safe dockage and storage for boats up to 50 feet long and 15 feet wide. Its many amenities include restrooms, showers, private parking, and picnic areas. Opened in 1986, the Arrowhead Bluffs Museum (651-565-3829) houses the "most complete collection of Winchester firearms, including every model of Winchester sold from 1866-1982." Mounted wildlife, Native American artifacts, and a John Deere collection are displayed in a building overlooking the Mississippi. The brand new Wind Whisper West (170 Pembroke Ave.) carries kimonos — they have 600 in stock — mostly to be displayed as wall decorations. Richard and Jan Fuller recently moved their business from C
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