Swan River Township near Little Falls in Morrison County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Zebulon Pike's 1805-1806 Wintering Quarters
Original Historic Site
| — | Morrison County • Celebrating 150 Years • 1856 - 2006 | — |
Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025
1. Zebulon Pike's 1805-1806 Wintering Quarters Marker
Lt. Zebulon Pike was charged with exploring the Mississippi River from St. Louis, Missouri, to its source in Minnesota after this area was bought as part fo [sic] the Louisiana Purchase. When Pike and his men reached what is now Morrison County in October 1805, winter weather forced them to build a fort near this site. The men lived here for two months before Pike continued upriver with some of his contingent. On the trip downriver, Pike returned to the fort, fetched the men left behind, and the expedition arrived back in St. Louis on April 30, 1806.
Erected 2006 by Morrison County. (Marker Number 17.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Forts and Castles • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1805.
Location. 45° 55.13′ N, 94° 23.347′ W. Marker is near Little Falls, Minnesota, in Morrison County. It is in Swan River Township. It is on Great River Road (County Road 224) north of Stanek Drive, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 10962 Great River Road, Little Falls MN 56345, United
this page online
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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Village of Swan River (approx. 1˝ miles away); WPA Water Tower & Shelter Building (approx. 2.7 miles away); Childhood Memories of a Magical Place (approx. 2.7 miles away); The Boyhood Farm of Charles Lindbergh (approx. 2.7 miles away); The WPA Builds a Park in the Rustic Style (approx. 2.7 miles away); Big White Pine (approx. 2.7 miles away); Tenant Farmer House (approx. 2.8 miles away); Lindbergh House (approx. 2.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Little Falls.
Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025
2. Zebulon Pike's 1805-1806 Wintering Quarters Marker on the bridge over the Swan River
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 193 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 15, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.
