Roseau in Roseau County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Heritage of this Place
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2024
1. The Heritage of this Place Marker
This steel sculpture depicts the historical travels of the French Voyageur-Explorer La Vιrendrye, who in 1733, with the guidance of Native Americans made his way here from the Great Lakes by way of Rainy River and Lake of the Woods. After portaging over ancient glacial ridges from the lake to the Roseau River, he continued northwest by water in search of a long sought passage to the Pacific Ocean. A Northwest Passage was never found, however La Vιrendrye explored and mapped routes throughout the Red River and Assiniboine Valleys opening travel and trade for others. He named the Roseau River after the tall rushing reeds which grew abundantly here.
This hand-forged steel mural with its many symbolic images was dedicated December 4, 2011. It was designed and created by local artists, Sue Suess and Joel Miller of Raven Works Forge, in commemoration of our earliest heritage.
Erected 2011.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1733.
Location. 48° 50.867′ N, 95° 45.659′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, on the prairies, on the Great Plains, and specifically on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, 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 one other marker is within walking distance of this marker: Roseau River Water Trail (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line).
Also see . . . Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vιrendrye (Wikipedia).
Excerpt : French Canadian military officer, fur(Submitted on March 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)trader, and explorer. In the 1730s, he and his four sons explored the area west of Lake Superior and established trading posts there. They were part of a process that added Western Canada to the original New France territory that was centered along the Saint Lawrence basin.Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 20242. The Heritage of this Place MarkerLooking east; the marker is located at the base of the sculpture. The Roseau River recreational trail is behind the sculpture.
He became involved with the quest to find a route to the Pacific, what was known as the Northwest Passage. In 1731 La Vιrendrye, three of his sons and 50 engagιs left Montreal. That autumn his son Jean-Baptiste built Fort St. Pierre on Rainy Lake. Next year they built Fort St. Charles on Lake of the Woods, which became his headquarters for the next several years. In 1733 Jean-Baptiste got within 20 miles of Lake Winnipeg but was blocked by ice and lack of supplies.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2024
3. The Heritage of this Place Sculpture (east side)
Looking west from the Roseau River recreational trail.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 119 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 1, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
