Downtown in Saint Paul in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Giants populate the earth

Photographed by McGhiever, June 11, 2023

1. Giants populate the earth Marker

Inscription.

In the moist, rich soils of river bottoms, cottonwoods can grow to enormous sizes.

Look at the circle on the ground in front of you. It represents the girth of the largest tree in Minnesota—a cottonwood in Nicollet County. It's 344 inches around! That's twice as big as the tree in the picture.

Meet at the tree?
During the mid-1830s this cottonwood tree, near present-day Huot, Minnesota, was a favorite place for fur traders traveling along an oxcart highway known as the Pembina Trail. A mailbox attached to the tree became the local post office. In 1955, when this picture was taken, the tree was still a community landmark.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Environment • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1835.

Location. 44° 56.567′ N, 93° 5.871′ W. Marker is in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is in Downtown. It is at the intersection of W. Kellogg Boulevard and Washington Street, on the right when traveling east on W. Kellogg Boulevard. The marker is on the river overlook plaza on the east side of the Science Museum of Minnesota. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 120 W Kellogg Boulevard, Saint Paul MN 55102, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Living landmarks grace the shore (a few steps from this marker); Legacy of Leadership (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); George Latimer Central Library (about 400 feet away); Hans O. Nyman Energy Center (about 400 feet away); The Saint Paul Public Library (about 400 feet away); Do you believe in miracles? Herb Brooks did. (about 500 feet away); The James J. Hill Reference Library (about 500 feet away); Rice Park (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Saint Paul.

Additional keywords. Giants populate the earth

Marker and record cottonwood circle on the plaza east of the Science Museum of Minnesota image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 11, 2023

2. Marker and record cottonwood circle on the plaza east of the Science Museum of Minnesota

Credits. This page was last revised on November 25, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 5, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 339 times since then and 55 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on February 5, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.