OSCEOLA, Wis. — Minnesota doesn't have a corner on the downtown market, as is evidenced by the latest installment of KARE in the Air.
Our trusty drone recently crossed the line of cheese demarcation to check out the pretty and historic downtown district of Osceola, Wisconsin.
Osceola's main street dates back to the 1880s when steamboats lined the river and fur traders, lumberjacks and early settlers built the core of downtown - stores, taverns and eateries. In fact, lore has it that the first steamboat on the St. Croix River was built right in Osceola, and in the decades since the community has depended on the scenic river for both commerce and recreation.
Water is a theme in Osceola: In addition to the St. Croix, there is Cascade Falls, a waterfall on the edge of downtown. The folks at the chamber of commerce say you can reach right through the cascading water and touch the back of the falls with your hand, but seeing as our drone was WAY up in the sky, that opportunity did not present itself.
Fall is a great time to visit this Wisconsin river town, as you can hop on a scenic train ride, hike the picnic bluff that rises above the St. Croix, or even rent a canoe for a relaxing float to check out the changing colors.
A bit of history - the village of Osceola grew up around Cascade Falls and was incorporated in 1886. Its name honors Seminole Indian, Chief Osceola.