Near Eyota in Olmsted County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Before The Freeways
July 31, 2021
1. Before The Freeways Marker
Inscription.
Before The Freeways. . 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.
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.
Location. 43° 57.379′ N, 92° 17.105′ W. Marker is near Eyota, Minnesota, in Olmsted County. Marker 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.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 6, 2021. This page has been viewed 141 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on August 6, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
