Overview

In 1767, French fur traders led by Jonathan Carver discovered that, at the Chippewa River's confluence with a smaller river, the latter served as a filtering system of sorts, emptying its clear waters into the larger, muddier river. So amazed were the traders by these clear waters, that they named the smaller river "Eau Claire." In subsequent years, other Europeans, particularly Scandinavians and Germans, would move into the area and settle on the land between the Chippewa and Eau Claire Rivers. By the middle of the 19th century, Eau Claire was a bustling "saw dust" town whose economy relied heavily on logging. The rivers continue to be the lifeblood of the city � though, today it's thanks to the natural beauty they bring to the area. Modern Eau Claire is a bustling city with a rich array of opportunities, especially in the leisure category. Historic Water Street, near the UW-EC campus, features an eclectic mix of specialty shops, restaurants, and bars. Carson Park, aside from being home to the Chippewa Valley Museum, Paul Bunyan Logging Camp, and the city's Minor League baseball stadium, offers public picnic facilities, excellent fishing holes, and spectacular vistas of Half Moon Lake. Within a few minutes' drive of Eau Claire are Chippewa Falls, with its historic downtown area and famous Leinenkugel Brewery, and Menomonie, which sits on the shores of scenic Lake Menomin and boasts an attractive downtown area of its own. Those with active pursuits in mind should plan on buying a pass for the Chippewa Valley Trail System, a unique network of trails that leads bikers, cross-country skiers, and hikers along the banks of the Chippewa and Red Cedar River for some 50-plus miles, offering along the way spectacular views of the rivers and, perhaps, a glimpse at a bald eagle or two.

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