A piece of history

'None finer in all this Northern Country'

Billed in a 1916 newspaper clipping as "none finer in all this Northern Country," the Chippewa Valley Mercantile -- soon to be home to the Market on River -- was a point of pride for Chippewa Falls. In its newest era, we are embarking on a transformative journey to create a place where history, innovation, and community converge.

Constructed in 1916, this historic building was commissioned by the Chippewa Valley Mercantile Company as a replacement for their previous building, which was built on the same site in 1903 but destroyed in a fire. The mercantaile, organized by entrepreneur Leslie Willson and partners in 1889, operated as a wholesale grocery house. After the death of Leslie Willson in 1906, his wife, Nellie, served as president of the company, seeing it through tragedy and rebirth after the blaze.

This particular building holds historical significance for the City of Chippewa Falls, as it represents one of the early wholesale commercial enterprises in the area.Harnessing the potential of this stately structure adds an extra layer of significance to our project. With great reverence for its rich heritage, we are committed to repurposing this architectural gem and breathing new life into its storied walls. By embracing the charm and character of the building's history, we aim to create a unique and unforgettable space that pays homage to the past while embracing the possibilities of the future.

This meticulous restoration and repurposing effort not only preserves the essence of the building but also contributes to the cultural fabric of the community, fostering a sense of pride and connection. Chippewa Falls has been home to the headquarters for Wisconsin Farmers Union since the 1940s and, after decades in the same building, we're excited to be moving just a few hundred feet from our historic location and into a space that will bring so much vibrancy to the downtown.

There is no doubt this is a major win for WFU and the entire Chippewa Falls community.

Brad Hentschel, Chippewa Falls City Planner

Special thanks to Kip Rubenzer and Tiffany Wogahn of Old Chippewa Falls Wisconsin for their research contributions on the mercantile history.

Chippewa Falls is our historic home and we want to help restore vitality to both the community and to Wisconsin family farms through our efforts. We are so excited about the future.

Julie Keown-Bomar

Executive Director, Wisconsin Farmers Union