A HOLE IN THE WALL (ER, CAVE?). Located within Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls, this cave, pictured above, was once the optimal spot to cool beer for Schmitmayer Brewing Co.. (Image via Facebook)

If you’ve stopped through Eau Claire or have been around long enough to have ventured through the Eastside Hill neighborhood, you might have been told the elusive tale of “The Cave Lady,” a woman said to have lived along the Eau Claire River in – you guessed it – a cave.

Now that the winter season is in full swing, the Irvine Park “Beer Cave” in Chippewa Falls (125 Bridgewater Ave.), too deserves the spotlight. While maybe not as well known, this cave once played a significant role in the local libations industry during the cooler months.

According to legend (and by that we mean, the Chippewa County Historical Society), most early breweries of the nineteenth century used these organic structures to keep their lagers cool.

This image, courtesy of the Chippewa County Historical Society, depicts four individuals standing in front of the Irvine Park Cave. If you look close enough, it's possible they could each have some beverages in hand.

The Irvine Park cave and seven acres of land along the creek was originally purchased in September 1871 by F.X. Schmitmayer, owner of the Schmitmayer Brewing Co..

Schmitmayer later enlarged the cave and secured the entrance with an iron gate. The reason for this remains a mystery, yet one could speculate it was to prevent the brewery's beverages from being stolen by smugglers (or thirsty passersby on the trail).

A hole in the ceiling of the cave – still visible to guests today – was originally a vent. This type of ventilation can be within many caves formerly used by breweries across the state.

Members of the historical society authored Irvine Park (and smaller Chippewa Falls Parks): The Bear Facts, detailing findings of Chippewa Valley places and spaces – including the beer cave.

John Jimenez, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry in Chippewa Falls, said the cave has long been considered a special and unique element in town, and adds to its rich history – setting it apart from other regional parks.

“This is just one facet of what makes Irvine Park so special (along with) all these little nuggets of history that are spread out throughout the park itself,” Jimenez said. “Truly, it is an honor to be able to share and experience all the history that this park provides for its community.”

The Irvine Park “Beer Cave” is open for visitors of all ages to view throughout the year; it might be the perfect winter activity to get a feel for just how cold the cave really gets. If you're interested in uncovering more tales and historical markers in Chippewa Falls and the greater Chippewa Valley, consider visiting the area's historical society (12 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls) nearby.

And you might as well raise a glass to the brews that have shaped our community's history, too.

Visit the Irvine Park webpage online – chippewafalls-wi.gov – to learn more about the recreation destination in Chippewa Falls. The Chippewa County Historical Society includes all designated “Marker Signs” online at chippewacountywihistoricalsociety.org.