Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls Cultural Landscape Assessment, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Mundus Bishop (contractor); Corvus Environmental Consulting (subcontractor)

This document presents the Cultural Landscape Assessment (CLA) for two day-use areas of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls. It provides an overview of the historical development of each area, a summary of existing condition, and an analysis of landscape characteristics. It provides treatment alternatives and recommendations to enhance protection of cultural resources, to identify areas of further research or investigation, and for guidance on integrating improved site interpretation and new recreational facilities. The report combines aspects of a Cultural Landscapes Inventory and Cultural Landscape Report. This hybrid document provides and inventory of those features that contribute to the cultural landscape, with an assessment of condition and analysis of landscape characteristics. It provides a treatment approach and alternatives for the preservation, use, and interpretation of the area to help guide future planning efforts. Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls, the study area of the report, are day-use areas of the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway. Arcola Bluffs is an area of land that was once owned by a corporation that used the river channel for sorting logs. Remnant features of historic uses remain throughout Arcola Bluffs. These include the site of the Heath Summer Residence with extant roads, spaces, and features originally built in 1910/1911. Forested areas, a restored prairie, an abandoned railroad grade, and remnant roads attract visitors to explore the area and access the Riverway. Fairy Falls attracts visitors for its 50-foot waterfall in the intermittent stream, Silver Creek, and other natural attributes. Its cultural resources are predominantly agricultural and include a sugar bush (a maple tree grove), red pine plantation, and apple orchard. The purpose of this project is to provide baseline documentation of the natural and cultural landscape of Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls. Recommendations for integrating recreational and interpretive facilities within the study area’s important natural and cultural features are also provided. Visitors currently access and use Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls through a well-used network of social trails and informal parking, but the two areas lack defined purposes, have no maintained trails or visitor amenities, and have little or no interpretive signage.

Arcola Bluffs and Fairy Falls Cultural Landscape Assessment, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway

Series