Introduction to Rice Lake, Wisconsin
Rice Lake, Wisconsin is 49 miles N of Eau Claire, Wisconsin and 76 miles NE of St. Paul, Minnesota. It is in Barron County.
Rice Lake History
Rice Lake was originally an Indian village. In 1864, a storage dam was built in the area. M.W. Heller established a mill at the dam in 1871. Heller was also the first permanent settler in Rice Lake. Regular mail service was established in the area in 1874, and Dr. E.T. Whinnery became the first postmaster. The city was originally platted in 1875. The Chippewa Falls and Northern Railroad entered the area in 1882. The city was chartered in 1887 and D.W. Montieth was named the first mayor.
Rice Lake and nearby Attractions
- Cedar Mall Shopping Center
- Pioneer Village Museum
- Wild Rivers State Trail
- Turtleback Golf Course
- Railroad Memories Museum
- Pine Point County Park
Things To Do In Rice Lake
Local parks include Shudlick Park, the Future Farmers of America Park, Hiawatha Park and Indian Mound Park. The Cedar Mall Shopping Center is the local shopping destination. The Pioneer Village Museum and the Railroad Memories Museum are popular among those hoping to learn more about the area’s history. The Pine Point County Park and the Brunet Island State Park are accessible from Rice Lake as well. Turtleback Golf Course is also nearby. Local festivals include Aquafest, Tater Fest and the Barron County Fair.
Rice Lake Transportation
Minneapolis-St. Paul International is the nearest major airport.
Rice Lake Higher Education
Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Technical College provide higher education in the area.
