Prior to 1873 the steamboats landed at the upper landing near the present bridge. After 1873 the steamboats landed at the lower landing in the lower part of the dalles. After the coming of the railroad in 1880, steamboat traffic was almost exclusively for excursions. The last steamboat came to Taylors Falls around World War I.

1880 also saw the end of Taylors Falls’ stagecoach era. Ever since the early 1850s, stagecoaches were the major mode of travel in and out of Taylors Falls for non-river traffic. The stagecoaches were sledged (wheels replaced with runners) for winter time use.

The steamer Wyman X, located on the left, was built in Taylors Falls during the winter of 1867 and ’68. It was 120 feet long, with a 22-foot beam and a 4-foot depth of hold, and was capable of carrying a 200-ton load. It was one of the one of the largest paddle-wheelers ever built on the upper river. It was sold downriver in 1872.

Originally known as the Mayflower until after her maiden run on June 7, 1866, the Dells was built at Osceola as a petite craft intended to run between Taylors Falls and Prescott, Wisconsin. It is said she had a very light draft “warranted to run on a heavy dew.” She ran on the St. Croix for only the 1866 season and was then sold for service elsewhere.

Built in 1867 at Osceola, the Nellie Kent, cost $12,000. Originally 120 feet long, she was enlarged by 25 feet in 1879 and renamed the Mary Barnes.

The Gracie Kent was built at Stillwater in 1897, 110 feet in length. As a pleasure boat, it once carried large crowds to Stillwater for the Barnum and Bailey Circus. In the fall of 1898 it made a final trip south and was sold in Louisiana.

In this photo, taken about 1906, the Purchase is seen approaching Taylors Falls, pushing an excursion barge named the Twin Cities. Her last trip to Taylors Falls was in July 1914 when she brought 800 sight-seers to town.