What is a Wannigan? (Courtesy of wannigandays.com)
Wannigan could be described as a house boat, but they were really more like floating shacks. They were built 25 to 30 ft. in length (some were bigger) and the cabin may be large enough just to accommodate a cook and some supplies. They were built low to the water for stability on quick running rivers.
In the days when the St. Croix was used as a logging route, Wannigans were used by the lumbermen. The “shanty-boat,” which was much like houseboat, with sleeping accommodations for the loggers during the logging drives.
However, a true wannigan typically had an upper deck and was much more unstable. It would only be safe only in slow waters such lakes and calm rivers. These were generally maneuvered by poles and were popular for towing.
Wannigan Days celebrates the history of the St. Croix River Valley. St. Croix Falls and Taylors Falls were busy stops for the men who worked the saws, logs, and the river.
Many times on the St. Croix River, the logs would get jammed tight into the many turns of the river.
Men had to be quick to blast the logs free to avoid a massive, and dangerous, jam that could halt all traffic on the river.
This was a scenario that happen from time to time. Many times the men would use dynamite to blast free the jam and get things moving again.
