This 64-page booklet, published by the Minnesota State Board of Immigration, extolls the value of Northeastern Minnesota as a land ideal for agriculture and livestock. The booklet describes a fertile new country with unique conditions unparalleled elsewhere." It also describes "established railways and rich markets within its own borders; contiguous to the most populous cities between Chicago and the North Pacific Coast. The booklet describes the various crops that can be raised successfully and the projected profit per acre. Includes numerous photographs of farms and livestock.
The oldest house in Lac Qui Parle County, Minnesota. This image is by Arthur Adams, Minneapolis high school teacher, local historian, and photographer. Adams traveled throughout Minnesota, taking photographs to augment his lectures. His studio was located at 3648 Lyndale Avenue South in Minneapolis.
Exterior view of the Pioneer Hotel building. A group of men and women stand in front of the building along with two horse-drawn wagons. The Pioneer Hotel was built by Robert Whiteside in 1887.
Contributing Institution:
University of Minnesota Duluth, Kathryn A. Martin Library, Northeast Minnesota Historical Collections
The community of St. Peter was initially, and for a very brief time, known as Rock Bend, a name taken because of the presence of a sharp bend in the course of the Minnesota River on the east side of the settlement. The name was used probably from late in 1853 until sometime in 1854. The envelope shown here, addressed to Charles E. Flandrau (1828-1903), who was living in the area at the time, is one of only a few objects that survived with the name "Rock Bend" on it. Flandrau, himself, became a very prominent resident of the State of Minnesota. Among many other duties during his lifetime, he commanded the defenders of New Ulm in August of 1862 and later served on the Minnesota Supreme Court.
Jerome Cooley headed north from Minneapolis in about 1869. On his way north, he stopped in Hinckley for about two and a half years, started the community of Barnum, and made it to Duluth in the spring of 1873. This 99-page memoir comes from his recollections and stories he had heard about the early history of Duluth. He covers subjects such as the digging of the ship canal, sailing the north shore in the early days, Duluth hotels, early industries, the volunteer Duluth Fire Department, real estate, mayors, the election of 1876, schools, and some early characters.
A map showing the community of Redstone City, including streets, lots, and blocks. The town was located in Section 1, T109N, R30W of Nicollet County, Minnesota. Frederick Leavenworth was the surveyor for this map, which was created in 1856 for proprietor Daniel Lothrop, Jr. Like its neighboring community of Redstone, Redstone City gradually faded away as a community, and can now be regarded as a part of Lost Minnesota.
A map showing the community of Redstone, including streets, blocks, and lots. Redstone was located in Section 35, T110N, R30W of Nicollet County, Minnesota. Frederick Leavenworth was the surveyor for this map, which was created in 1856 for Marshall B. Stone and other occupants and proprietors. Redstone faded away as a community in which to live, and can now be regarded as a part of Lost Minnesota.
R.B. McLean came to Superior, Wisconsin, in June of 1854 on the schooner "Algonquin." McLean recollects several trips along Lake Superior's North Shore, both before and after the 1854 Treaty of LaPointe, searching for veins of copper. He discusses early settlers on the North Shore, the first election in St. Louis County in 1855, the first mail route from Superior to Grand Portage (which McLean delivered), and the first cabins built in Duluth in the winter of 1854-55.
A map showing the community of Swan City, including streets, blocks, and lots. It was located in Sections 5 and 8, T109N, R28W of Nicollet County, Minnesota. Wm. G. Wells was the surveyor for this map, which was created in 1856 for proprietor Thomas Gunn. Swan City appears on a map of Minnesota dated 1866, but probably did not survive for very many years beyond that date. It can now be regarded as a part of Lost Minnesota.
This 40-page book, published in 1897, describes the land and towns that lie on the route of the Saint Paul & Duluth Railroad. Chapters describe the route of the railroad; the counties the railroad passes through; various crops grown, including potatoes, grain, berries and small fruit, and dairying. The last chapter provides brief descriptions of some towns along the route, including Pine City, Hinckley, Finlayson, Rutledge, Willow River, Sturgeon Lake, Moose Lake, Barnum, Mahtowa, Carlton, Duluth, and West Superior.
A map showing Union City, including streets, blocks, and lots. The town was located, or was to have been located, in Section 4, T109N, R28W of Nicollet County, Minnesota. Wm. G. Wells was the surveyor for this map, which was created in 1856 for Thomas Gunn, one of the proprietors. Very little is known about Union City, which has not survived. It can now be regarded as a part of Lost Minnesota.
On December 27th, 1862, Phiney Wells signed this document in St. Peter to enlist in the First Mounted Rangers. Wells stated that he was born in New York and that he was 25 years and eight months old. He listed his occupation as a farmer. Wells had blue eyes, dark hair, a light complexion, and was 5 feet 10 inches tall. The document was signed by D.R. Kennedy, who was the quartermaster of the regiment. Wells was obligated to serve for up to 12 months.
A map of a proposed community named Waheoka, including streets, blocks, and lots. The Minnesota River is included. The community was apparently to be located in Nicollet County, with southern and eastern boundaries along the Minnesota River, apparently near St. Peter and Traverse des Sioux. Spring Lake, looking more like a small stream on the map, divided the community into an east section and a west section. Waheoka was surveyed by Z. Wise in 1854 for Lyman Leach and Monroe Wright.
A map showing the proposed community of Washington, Minnesota Territory, including streets, blocks, and lots. The Minnesota River is included. Washington was to be located in Section 4, T110N, R26W in Nicollet County, Minnesota. It was surveyed by Chas. Snyder in 1858. The Minnesota River would have been at the southeastern corner of the community, and the southern boundary would have bordered a proposed canal that would have entered the river.