In 1977 the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched a pilot program in three communities to study the reasons business districts were dying. During the three-year test period the groundwork for the Main Street approach to revitalization was established.  What became clear was the importance of a strong public-private partnership, a committed organization, a full-time executive director, a commitment to good design, quality promotional programs and a coordinated, incremental process of revitalization.  In 1980 the National Trust created the National Main Street Center (NMSC) which has been working with communities across the nation to revitalize the environment of American communities.  To date the NMSC has assisted over 1,500 communities in 44 states.

The Wisconsin Main Street Program was established in 1987.  The program offers technical assistance to designated communities in various areas including volunteer development, fund raising, marketing, building rehabilitation, market analysis, business retention and business recruitment.  Each year the Department of Commerce and the Council on Main Street select communities to participate in the Wisconsin Main Street Program.  Eagle River was selected as a Main Street Community in 1999. Follow this link for more information regarding the Wisconsin Main Street Program.