Saint Anthony Main in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Franklin Steele

— Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, August 22, 2014

1. Franklin Steele Marker

Inscription. A young Pennsylvanian won the race to grab land at the Falls of St. Anthony after the area was opened to settlement in 1838. Franklin Steele, the sutler (civilian storekeeper) at Fort Snelling, staked his claim in a moonlight caper that beat out the fort's commander. Handicapped by lack of capital, he was slow to develop the waterpower. It was ten years before Steele and several partners built the first dam across the east channel, started operating a sawmill, and laid out the townsite of St. Anthony.

Erected by St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 44° 59.017′ N, 93° 15.212′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Saint Anthony Main. It is on Southeast Main Street just east of Southeast 3rd Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located along the riverfront trail, across Main Street from the Pillsbury A Mill. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Minneapolis MN 55414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Follow the Water: Part 2 - Forebay to Tailrace (a few steps from this marker); Pillsbury A Mill (within shouting distance of

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this marker); Power on the East Side (within shouting distance of this marker); Harnessing Waterpower (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Electricity and Minneapolis (about 300 feet away); Follow the Water: Part 1 - Intake and Tunnel (about 400 feet away); The Falls That Built the City (about 400 feet away); Hydroelectricity: The Early Years (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Also see . . . Franklin Steele (Wikipedia). The land on both sides of the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls was controlled by the U.S. Government as part of the Fort Snelling Reservation. In 1838, the fort commander, Joseph Plympton convinced the government to release the east bank of the river for settlement, hoping to stake a personal claim on the valuable land closest to the Falls. But Steele staked the first claim on the land before sunrise on the first day of legal settlement. He claimed a half-mile of east-bank riverfront, controlling half of the water power of St. Anthony Falls. (Submitted on August 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Franklin Steele Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 924 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.