The Nicollet Expedition

The Nicollet Expedition. . In 1838, the U.S. Government commissioned Joseph N. Nicollet and five others , including Lieutenant John C. Fremont , to map the tringle of land between the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. , While at Pipestone Nicollet wrote, "Toward 10:00 Fremont, Flandin and I go on horseback into the valley to study its physical and geological character. In order to grasp the relation between the valley and surrounding prairies, we travel far and wide." , After exploring this rock ledge, he recorded, "This admirable hill awaits the poet and the painter, who should visit it when the last rays of the setting sun are falling upon it." , Photo captions , This section of Nicollet's 1842 map of the upper Mississippi River was considered an outstanding frontier map. The route of Nicollet's 1838 journey to the Pipestone quarry is marked in red. , Joseph N. Nicollet (right) mapped this area during his visit here June 29-July 6, 1838. His lieutenant, John C. Fremont (below), received training on this expedition that eventually led to his fame as "The Pathfinder."