Crow Wing State Park in Crow Wing County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lutheran Mission

Old Crow Wing Historic Site

Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025

1. Lutheran Mission Marker

Inscription.

This is the location of Old Crow Wing's Lutheran mission, led by Reverend Ottomar Cloeter. The original mission, known as Gabitawigama, was started in 1857 at Mission Lake, about thirty miles north of here. In 1862, Reverend Cloeter moved his family to Fort Ripley, and then to Crow Wing. He rented a house at this location, from where he did missionary work in the Crow Wing community and outlying areas until moving to Afton Minnesota in 1868.

Erected by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Religion & Religious Structures. A significant historical year for this entry is 1857.

Location. 46° 16.608′ N, 94° 20.023′ W. Marker is in Crow Wing, Minnesota, in Crow Wing County. It is in Crow Wing State Park. It can be reached from the road to the north picnic area, on the right when traveling north. The marker is on a short trail from the pullout marked "Lutheran Mission". Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Brainerd MN 56401, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Northland. 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 walking distance of this marker: Lutheran Mission Monument (a few steps from this marker); District One School (within shouting distance of this marker); Chapel of St. Francis Xavier (about 600 feet away, measured in a

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direct line); Mississippi River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Learning About The Past (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Meeting Place (approx. 0.2 miles away); Boardwalk (approx. 0.2 miles away); A Community Forms (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Crow Wing.

Lutheran Mission Marker in Crow Wing State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 28, 2025

2. Lutheran Mission Marker in Crow Wing State Park

Credits. This page was last revised on August 27, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 27, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.