(Photos: Chippewa Falls Main Street)

The already historic streetscape of downtown Chippewa Falls is getting a little more historic-looking thanks some uniquely displayed vintage photos. Over the coming weeks, nine electric utility boxes downtown will be wrapped in large photo prints, thanks to a project overseen by Chippewa Falls Main Street – a nonprofit organization whose mission is to boost the downtown.

Among the first images that have been applied are a 1900 photo of the building at 213 Bridge St., the original home of Korger’s Furniture & Decorating, which now decorates an electric box at the corner of Bridge and East Central streets. Another utility box, at the corner of Bridge and Columbia streets next to the U.S. Post Office, now bears a vintage black-and-white image of Northwestern Bank. The project is funded by donors, and the images have been installed by Gaber Signs.

Teri Ouimette, executive director of Chippewa Falls Main Street, said the idea was sparked during a visit she made last summer to Deadwood, South Dakota, where utility boxes have been decorated in a similar beautification project. “I thought, oh my gosh, that’s such a cool idea,” she said.

So far, historic photos have come from Chippewa Falls Main Street’s collection, but, in the future, some may come from the archives of the Chippewa Area History Center. The next time you’re strolling the picturesque sidewalks of Chippewa Falls, keep your eyes peeled for these historical gems.

Chippewa Falls isn’t the first city in the region to brighten up drab utility boxes: Back in 2014, Menomonie utility boxes were gussied up with local paintings.

To see more pictures of the photos as they are installed, visit facebook.com/chippewafallsmainstreet.