Water Street Neglected
City Authorities Have Not Seen Fit to Clean Streets for Over Two Months.
Eau Claire Leader | August 10, 1906

Eau Claire- Some measures on the part of the city authorities should be taken to see that Water street is not entirely wiped off the city map. Citizens in this part of the municipality are loyal and pat regularly their stipulated taxes into the city treasury for which consideration they should receive benefits in proportion to those of other citizens of their parts of the city.

The streets are supposed to be kept in a sanitary condition by sweeping and cleaning them within reasonable intervals. It is reported by residents along Water street that no efforts have been made to clean the streets for nearly three months. The accumulation of rubbish and filth that has gathered within that time, during the hot summer months, makes it essential they think that something should be done toward removing said refuse from the street that sanitary conditions may again be restored. Citizens are conscious of neglect and feel that some effort at reparation should at once be made, that the matter may not become a more serious grievance.

Chad’s Take: Filth and rubbish on Water Street!

I admit that this case is not overly bizarre, but it does give us a unique glimpse of the history of what was (is) one of the most important streets in Eau Claire. In previous articles I have written that during the early 1900s Water Street was a main business thoroughfare that contained many important community businesses, which makes it difficult to believe that the city would allow it to overflow with filth and rubbish to the extent described in this article. Today the street is kept relatively clean and even after a rambunctious Saturday night the place is somewhat presentable by noon the following day. I wonder if any of the outraged residents happened to take a photograph of garbage lined street.

The next time you happen to be wandering along on Water Street let your mind drift back a hundred years and imagine the street covered in rotting trash. However, if you really want to re-create the good ol’ feeling of Water Street being a dirty place stop in and have a beer at the Joynt. Here they will allow you to relive history as you get to throw your empty peanut shells on the floor thereby, in a small but fun way, ensuring that Water Street will always be a filthy place.

Keep an eye out.