Pike Creek Township near Little Falls in Morrison County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Village of Swan River
Original Historic Site
| — | Morrison County • Celebrating 150 Years • 1856 - 2006 | — |
Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025
1. The Village of Swan River Marker
In 1848, fur trader William Aitkin built a trading post and ran a ferry from this site, calling his settlement Aitkinsville. The Winnebago Indians traded here, crossing by ferry on their way to the Indian Agency at Long Prairie. Other businesses grew around the trading post, including a sawmill, a flour mill, a post office, the Brown Hotel and Grog Shop, an Indian cemetery, a school, and other stores. The town was renamed Swan River in 1856. With the growth of Little Falls, Swan River lost its businesses and was vacated in 1880.
Erected 2006 by Morrison County. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1848.
Location. 45° 56.442′ N, 94° 23.521′ W. Marker is near Little Falls, Minnesota, in Morrison County. It is in Pike Creek Township. It is at the intersection of Great River Road (County Road 224) and 125th Street, on the left when traveling south on Great River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12535 Great
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Regionally, this marker is in Central Minnesota. 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 Great North Woods, 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 Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: WPA Water Tower & Shelter Building (approx. 1.2 miles away); Childhood Memories of a Magical Place (approx. 1.2 miles away); The Boyhood Farm of Charles Lindbergh (approx. 1.2 miles away); The WPA Builds a Park in the Rustic Style (approx. 1.2 miles away); Big White Pine (approx. 1.2 miles away); Tenant Farmer House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lindbergh House (approx. 1.3 miles away); Lindbergh State Park (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Falls.
Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025
2. The Village of Swan River Marker on the east side of Great River Road
Credits. This page was last revised on July 15, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 15, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 112 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
