Itasca Township in Lake Itasca in Clearwater County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Geology of Minnesota
The diversified scenery of Minnesota- of which the Itasca park area is one phase- is due to the location of the state in the approximate center of the continent, situated midway between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Hudson Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the state has within its boundaries three principal divides in the watersheds of North America. Minnesota lacks the rugged topography and high elevations found in most continental divides. Its highest elevation, 2,300 feet on the Mesabi Range, is in close proximity to its lowest, the surface of Lake Superior 602 feet above the sea.
The general surface of the state slopes from the north-central portion near Itasca park, in four directions toward its distant and opposite corners.
The 10,000 lakes of Minnesota cover 5,600 square miles, an average of one square mile for every 15 of land. This unprecedented supply of water, which has a surface exceeding the water area of any other state, finds its way to the ocean through Hudson Bay, the Great Lakes, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Erected 1954 by Erected by the Geological Society of Minnesota and the Department of Conservation, State of Minnesota.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota: Geological Society of Minnesota series list.
Location. 47° 12.701′ N, 95° 10.624′ W. Marker is in Lake Itasca, Minnesota, in Clearwater County. It is in Itasca Township. Marker is on Main Park Drive (County Road 38) 0.9 miles south of Bearpaw Lane, on the right when traveling south. The marker is located at the Peace Pipe Vista parking area on Main Park Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Shevlin MN 56676, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Itasca Lake (approx. 1.2 miles away); From a Day When Trees Were Trees (approx. 1.2 miles away); Douglas Lodge (approx. 1.4 miles away); Theodore and Johanna Wegmann (approx. 2.3 miles away); Wegmann Store Replica (approx. 2.3 miles away); Old Northwest Territory (approx. 2.4 miles away); Search for the Mississippi's Source (approx. 2˝ miles away); Patterson's Homestead (approx. 2˝ miles away).
Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2023, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 68 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 5, 2023, by John Neitz of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.