Near Comfrey in Cottonwood County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Survival Through Fire
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 1, 2019
1. Survival Through Fire Marker
Prairie fires set by lightning or by people were common in this region.
Fortunately, most prairie plants are long-lived perennials with deep, extensive root systems. Their ability to produce vigorous new shoots below the soil's surface enables them to survive fire, grazing, and drought.
Prairies would not be here without the American Indian.
In 1838, Joseph Nicollet wrote, “It is good testimony in favor of my opinion that all the prairies watered by the Mississippi and the Missouri are the work of the Indians who destroy by fire the rich vegetation to assure themselves of animal food. Let the vast and shorn prairies that we cross remain untouched and the forests, with time, will reappear."
Joseph N. Nicollet on the Plains and Prairies, 1993
Today, conservationists set fires periodically to maintain and encourage prairie growth.
Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Horticulture & Forestry • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.
Location. 44° 5.511′ N, 95° 3.288′ W. Marker is near Comfrey, Minnesota, in Cottonwood County
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Prairie Preservation (within shouting distance of this marker); Why did people come to this region? (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); How did this Prairie get here? (about 600 feet away); Glaciers Marked the Rock (approx. 0.2 miles away); Florence Cook Roefer Prairie Trail (approx. 0.2 miles away); Sanborn, Minnesota Veterans Memorial (approx. 8 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 10.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Comfrey.
More about this marker. The Jeffers Petroglyphs is home to about 5,000 sacred rock carvings, also called petroglyphs, made by the ancestors of today’s Native Americans. Jeffers tells the story of this continent like no other place — connecting visitors to those who lived and traveled in ancient times across what is now known as North America.
Also see . . . More at the Jeffers Petroglyphs website. (Submitted on October 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 1, 2019
2. Survival Through Fire Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk
3. Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site Sign
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, October 1, 2019
4. Jeffers Petroglyphs
Credits. This page was last revised on October 10, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 142 times since then and 11 times this year. Last updated on October 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
