White Bear Township in Ramsey County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Why is White Bear Township Shaped Like That?

Photographed by McGhiever, January 24, 2024

1. Why is White Bear Township Shaped Like That? Marker

Inscription.

Source: White Bear Lake Area Historical Society

White Bear Township Map, 1867 with shaded area showing present day White Bear Township

For centuries this land was inhabited by Native people, including Dakota and Ojibwe. Through a series of treaties beginning as early as 1825, the United States government turned land over to European-American settlement and removed the Native population to reservations.

White Bear Township was formed at the same time Minnesota became a state, on May 11, 1858. Since that time, there have been dozens of incorporations and annexations that have carved away portions of that original thirty-six square miles and created the cities of White Bear Lake, Vadnais Heights, Gem Lake and North Oaks as well as adding to the cities of Little Canada and Maplewood. Today's White Bear Township covers approximately one-quarter of its original land.

Growing Population
The federal census for the Town of White Bear, and the Village of White Bear after it was incorporated in 1881, shows the steadily climbing population. In the late 1950s the additional municipalities were incorporated and a large
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portion of the Town's population shifted. Today, the area that was originally White Bear Township has nearly 52,000 residents.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is May 11, 1858.

Location. 45° 5.654′ N, 93° 3.06′ W. Marker is in White Bear Township, Minnesota, in Ramsey County. It is on Hammond Road west of Township Parkway. The marker is in Polar Park, on the path from the parking lot to the 1885 White Bear Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1280 Hammond Road, 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,

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 Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within

Why is White Bear Township Shaped Like That? Marker and the 1885 White Bear Town Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, January 24, 2024

2. Why is White Bear Township Shaped Like That? Marker and the 1885 White Bear Town Hall

3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Landscape was Shaped by Natural Forces (here, next to this marker); Who Were the Area's First Inhabitants? (a few steps from this marker); Historic Lake Avenue (approx. 2 miles away); The Original Townsite Plat of White Bear Lake (approx. 2.1 miles away); White Bear Lake Civil War Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); White Bear Lake Veterans Memorial (approx. 2.1 miles away); American Indian Mounds (approx. 2.1 miles away); St. John in the Wilderness Episcopal Church (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in White Bear Township.

Credits. This page was last revised on October 22, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 22, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 22, 2026, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.