Near Pine City in Pine County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fur Trade Highways

— North West Company Fur Post —

Photographed By McGhiever, September 2, 2022

1. Fur Trade Highways Marker

Inscription. Early traders followed a network of rivers inland from Lake Superior. John Sayer and his men canoed up the Brule River, down the St. Croix, and up the Snake River to get here.
When Sayer arrived here in 1804, the best road was a path in the woods. Most travel was by canoe, on lakes and rivers. Sayer and his fellow traders got their birchbark canoes from the local Ojibwe, who had been making them for generations.

Three Miles a Day Water travel could be slow and dangerous. To get here, Sayer and his crew had to bring their canoes up the shallow, rocky Snake River. It took them four days to cover twelve miles. In the roughest spots, the men had to unload the canoes and carry the cargo on their backs.

Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1804.

Location. 45° 49.305′ N, 93° 0.658′ W. Marker is near Pine City, Minnesota, in Pine County. Marker can be reached from Voyageur Lane north of Pokegama Lake Road (County Road 7), on the left when traveling

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

north. The marker is at the Snake River Fur Post (fee area), on the trail between the visitor center and the reconstructed trading post. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12551 Voyageur Lane, Pine City MN 55063, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 15 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Do-It-Yourself Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Snake River Trail (within shouting distance of this marker); A Good Place for Beaver (within shouting distance of this marker); Wild Rice (within shouting distance of this marker); Maple Trees (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Pine City (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Great Hinckley Fire (approx. 13.8 miles away); The Hinckley Fire (approx. 14.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pine City.

Marker on the path to the Snake River Fur Post image. Click for full size.

Photographed By McGhiever, September 2, 2022

2. Marker on the path to the Snake River Fur Post

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 19, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 66 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 19, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.