History of the Lowell Inn

Welcome to Stillwater, Minnesota's birthplace!  Established in 1848, Stillwater was a well-known lumberjack town.  Opened in 1927, the Lowell Inn rests on the site of the original lumberjack hotel; the Sawyer House.  One of Stillwater's great benefactors and a manager of the Sawyer House, Elmer Lowell created the Lowell Inn, a lush and elegant hotel which still stands the test of time.  Gradually, fine dining rooms were established, beginning with the George Washington room in 1930.

The George Washington Room is the epitome of refined romance, treating guests to the formal dining of a traditional American menu surrounded by the elegance of colonial arched windows.

In 1937, the Garden Room was added, detailed with vibrant stained glass and creating fine dining with a touch of nature; the rush of water in a unique spring-fed fountain.

Finally, the Matterhorn Room was added in 1964.  This unique room is a testament to the lost art of Swiss woodcarving.  Swiss carpenter Eddie Blatter lived at the Inn from 1959 until its completion in 1964, hand carving the detailed woodwork with a Master carpenter's precision.  Complementing the extraordinary decor is the Lowell Inn's traditional Swiss Fondue.

In January of 2001, the Lowell Inn changed hands, undergoing extensive renovation and restoration.  It is now operated by St. Croix Boat and Packet Company.  In addition to the paddlewheel dinner boats which grace the St. Croix River, this company also owns and operates Grand Banquet Hall and Grand Pizza.