Maple Grove in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pierre Bottineau House
Relocation and Restoration Project
Photographed by McGhiever, December 19, 2021
1. Pierre Bottineau House marker
The house on the hill...
On the hill before you stands the first frame house built within the original confines of Maple Grove Township. It was constructed in 1854 (four years before Minnesota became a state) by Pierre Bottineau, one of Minnesota's most legendary historical figures. His varied roles as voyageur, trader, interpreter, guide and scout made him an important contributor to the early development of the state.
How did the house get here?
Historic maps show that the Bottineau House originally stood near the site of today's Osseo Junior High School. It has been moved at least three times since the Bottineau family last lived in the house, and was most recently located on Zachary Lane - about 2 miles east of where you now stand. The Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) rediscovered the Bottineau House while conducting environmental studies for the Highway 610 expansion. To preserve the historic structure, and to remove it from the proposed path of the highway expansion, Mn/DOT coordinated the home's most recent move to this site on August 5, 2009.
Now that it's here...
In the weeks and months
this page online
Erected 2009 by Three Rivers Park District.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.
Location. 45° 8.127′ N, 93° 26.549′ W. Marker is in Maple Grove, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It can be reached from James Deane Parkway, on the left when traveling north. Marker is in Elm Creek Park Reserve, on a bicycle path northeast of the Pierre Bottineau House. There is a small parking lot nearby. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12600 James Deane Parkway, Osseo MN
Photographed by McGhiever, December 19, 2021
2. Pierre Bottineau House and marker in Elm Creek Park Reserve
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 Ruperts Land, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, and the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: World War II Monument (approx. 4.3 miles away); Louis Hennepin (approx. 4.3 miles away); Circle of Life (approx. 4½ miles away); Highway of Exploration (approx. 4.6 miles away); River Highways (approx. 4.6 miles away); Where Land and Water Meet (approx. 4.6 miles away); Bridging the Mississippi (approx. 4.6 miles away); Rice Street Beach (approx. 4.6 miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on May 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 15, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 836 times since then and 46 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
