White Bear Lake in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
White Bear Lake
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The Dakota Legend of White Bear Lake
Photographed by McGhiever, July 26, 2024
1. White Bear Lake Marker (obverse)
Beautiful White Bear Lake has appealed to men from time immemorial. Named by the Dakota Indians who lived along its shore for the legendary white bear killed by a warrior, the lake and its legend have attracted visitors from all parts of the state and country. White Bear Lake's resort era began in 1853 when Villeroy B. Barnum built the first hotel. Hundreds of persons came by wagon and, after 1868, by train, to picnic, fish, and boat. Hotels and cottages blossomed along the lakeshore. In 1882, Mark Twain described the lake in his book, Life on the Mississippi:
"White-bear Lake is a lovely sheet of water, and is being utilized as a summer resort by the wealth and fashion of the State. It has its clubhouse, and its hotel: its fine summer residences; and plenty of fishing, hunting, and pleasant drives. There are a dozen minor resorts around St. Paul and Minneapolis, but White-bear Lake is the resort."
A direct track from the Twin Cities laid in 1889 brought a dozen tourist-filled trains a day to the lake. Five resort hotels dotted the shoreline in 1890. Although the automobile and new vacation trends ended White
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"Tradition says that very many springs ago while upon this island, a young warrior loved the daughter of his chief and the maiden loved the warrior. He had again and again been refused her hand by her parents A large white bear came into the lake, making his way aimlessly to the island, the spring that the lovers met They were seated among the branches of a large elm tree, for fear of being detected and were just rising to return when the maiden uttered a shriek which was heard in the camp. The young maiden was now in the grasp of the huge monster. Instantly every man, woman, and child was upon the spot, but they were all unarmed One deafening yell from the lover warrior was heard and, dashing away to his wigwam, he grasped his faithful knife, returned almost with a single bound and, with the fury of a mad panther, pounced upon his prey. The dying monster relaxed his grasp. The young warrior now wore another plume, and before another moon had set, he had a living
Photographed by McGhiever, July 26, 2024
2. The Dakota Legend of White Bear Lake Marker (reverse)
Erected 1968 by the citizens of White Bear Lake.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1853.
Location. 45° 5.15′ N, 92° 59.99′ W. Marker is in White Bear Lake, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It can be reached from Lake Avenue. The marker is in Matoska Park on the footpath along the shoreline, just southwest of the Erd-Geist Gazebo. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Paul MN 55110, 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,
Photographed by McGhiever, July 26, 2024
3. White Bear Lake/The Dakota Legend of White Bear Lake marker in Matoska Park
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Erd-Geist Gazebo (within shouting distance of this marker); Spiess Landing (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fillebrown House (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Original Townsite Plat of White Bear Lake (approx. half a mile away); White Bear Lake Civil War Memorial (approx. half a mile away); St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church (approx. half a mile away); White Bear Lake Veterans Memorial (approx. half a mile away); American Indian Mounds (approx. Ύ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Bear Lake.
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 313 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
