Near Eyota in Olmsted County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Before The Freeways

July 31, 2021

1. Before The Freeways Marker

Inscription. Years ago, bison, Native Americans, and European settlers wore trails into the prairie grasses. By the 1880's many trails had become steel rails. Some trails became dirt roads, traveled by wagons, sleighs, and horse-drawn coaches, moving people and goods.

In 1854, a road from Dubuque, Iowa to St. Paul was established by Martin O. Walker, the "James J. Hill of stage-coaching." The four day trip took his coaches through present-day Rochester and over Zumbrota's covered bridge. Early planners platted Rochester shortly after Walker's first four-horse coaches passed through. By 1857, people rode coaches to Winona, Owatonna, Austin, Albert Lea, and other cities.

Early towns were increasingly linked by more roads. By the 1970's, as the first of Minnesota's freeways were being completed, there were over 12,000 miles of paved state highways.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Roads & Vehicles • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 43° 57.379′ N, 92° 17.105′ W. Marker is near Eyota, Minnesota, in Olmsted

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County. It is on Interstate 90 at milepost 222, 2.3 miles west of State Route 42. Located at I-90 Marion Rest Area (westbound). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Eyota MN 55934, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Minnesota

and in Greater Rochester.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Medical Pioneers of Minnesota (here, next to this marker); Chatfield's Civic Geometry (approx. 9.1 miles away); Chatfield's Legacy of Community Music (approx. 9.1 miles away); Main Street—From Wilderness Trail to Modern Highway (approx. 9.1 miles away); Chatfield's Historic Carnegie Library (approx. 9.1 miles away); Chatfield (approx. 9.1 miles away); Chatfield Loses County Courthouse, Gains Its First Municipal Park (approx. 9.1 miles

Before The Freeways Marker at Marion Rest Area image. Click for full size.

July 31, 2021

2. Before The Freeways Marker at Marion Rest Area

away); Chatfield's Public Education Legacy (approx. 9.2 miles away).

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021. This page has been viewed 384 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.