An artist’s rendition of Chief Osceola, after whom Osceola, Wisconsin, is named, stands near the stairway leading to Cascade Falls.
I ALMOST DIDN’T DESCEND the stairs to Cascade Falls in Osceola, an historic community of some 2,600 located along the St. Croix National Scenic Riverway in Polk County, Wisconsin, just an hour from the Twin Cities.
Many are drawn to the natural beauty of Cascade Falls in downtown Osceola.
Peering over the edge at the labyrinth stairway to the falls, I hesitated. First, my fear of heights caused me to pause until I realized the stairs simply hugged the side of the Osceola Creek gorge. Then concern about ascending the 156 steps kicked in. In the end, down I went.
The falls through the trees.
Sunlight peeks into portions of the gorge, highlighting the mist spraying from the falls.
A shot of Osceola Creek, bordered by sunlit and shaded woods. The creek rushes into the St. Croix River.
Detailed autumn beauty on the path to the falls.
A little history of the falls.
And it was worth the laborious climb back up to listen to the rush of water over rock, to stand mesmerized by the falls, to imagine the history this place holds of mill and brewery. The falls were the reason this river town was founded in 1844.
Downtown Osceola from near the falls. Route 35 runs right through the heart of this community.
To find a waterfalls in the heart of a downtown, along a state highway (35) is a bit of a surprise. I expect if my husband and I had explored more of this downtown, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, we would have discovered more surprises.
A close-up of the Chief Osceola statue, a beautiful work of art.
Especially impressive are the huge pots overflowing with flowers.
This attractive signage hangs outside Osceola Antiques, which bills itself as the largest antique mall in northwestern Wisconsin with 11,000 square feet.
Osceola Antiques also includes a place to get coffee, espresso drinks, candy and ice cream.
However, after delighting in the waterfall, photographing a folk art version of Seminole Chief Osceola after whom the town is named, and perusing the cavernous Osceola Antiques, we headed to the next river town.
A local watering hole and eatery.
What now, I wonder, was our hurry on that Wednesday afternoon?
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
What a little oasis, right? I love discovering places that seem incongruous to their surroundings. It makes sense that this town was founded in this exact spot because of the falls. Very fun post.
Osceola was a sweet surprise and one of my favorite towns along the river.
I love this town!! And, yes, I did spot the “Quilts” sign. The natural scenery is amazing and the historic architecture complete the beautiful picture for sure!!!!
Osceola is all you say and certainly deserved more of our time.
So glad you decided to go down and see the falls. They are simply gorgeous and I can just imagine the sounds. What a quaint town to visit, and yes the history. If we only knew the history behind our towns….thanks for sharing the sights of autumn’s beauty.
I’m glad I went down to see the falls, too. Oh, what I would have missed hadn’t I done so.
Looks like a dandy of a waterfall. I’ve never photographed this one, but will have to at some point. Looks like at nice town to explore too. Running out of decent weather though before the big chill.
Yes, you would love the waterfalls, Dan, and do a way better job than me of photographing it. The sun was at a bad angle when I was trying to shoot it.
Beautiful. There is something so peaceful about being out in nature. I will take nature over a big city any day.
I’m with you. Rural over city anyday.
Beautiful Captures – makes me want to get outside with nature đŸ™‚ Happy Day!
And I know how much you enjoy the outdoors and adventuring.
I could spend hours out there – ha!
Oh how I miss a road trip through rural areas………………… Thanks for taking us along!
You are welcome, Don. I know how much you miss the Midwest, especially Minnesota.
Ahhhh, the falls are beautiful…I can almost hear them đŸ™‚ Such a great little “find”! So much to explore in our beautiful midwest!
Exactly. So much right here in our backyard.
I bet you’re so pleased you overcame your fear of heights and went down to the bottom of the falls. It certainly looks like a very picturesque and peaceful place to be. The town is gorgeous too. I’m a bit like you in that I’m always in a hurry to get to somewhere else and then I wonder why I didn’t just pause and relax and spend more time enjoying the place I’d just discovered xx
I’m not always in a hurry. But…
What a truly lovely small town tour. We learn all the time and I am amazed at the number of places (towns, counties, etc) named after Oceola.
Thank you, Marilyn. Any count on the number of places named after Chief Osceola?
You can find an Osceola in Iowa, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Ohio, Florida, Nebraska, and maybe more.
Wow, that’s a lot of Osceolas. I just learned something new this morning.