Nicollet Island in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Joseph N. Nicollet

— Saint Anthony Falls Heritage Trail —

Photographed by Keith L, October 26, 2010

1. Joseph N. Nicollet Marker

Inscription. Nicollet Island bears the name of a French scholar and scientist who explored the headwaters of the Mississippi for the US government in 1836. Accompanied by some Ojibway friends and two hired voyageurs, Joseph Nicollet camped by the falls for several days, then canoed up the river with his barometer, sextant, chronometer, charts, and notebooks. From his measurements he created the first reliable map of the region.

Erected by the St. Anthony Falls Heritage Board.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Exploration. A significant historical year for this entry is 1836.

Location. 44° 59.129′ N, 93° 15.641′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is on Nicollet Island. It is on Merriam Street east of Wilder Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is near the Nicollet Island Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 40 Power Street, Minneapolis MN 55401, 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 walking distance of this marker: Stepping Stone Between East and West (within shouting distance of this marker); Nicollet Island Businesses (within shouting distance of this marker); Eliza Winston (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Father Louis Hennepin Bridge (about

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600 feet away); Symbols on the Skyline (about 700 feet away); In commemoration of the courageous French explorers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Indians at the Falls (approx. 0.2 miles away); The House of John H. Stevens (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Church of Our Lady of Lourdes (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been confirmed missing).

Also see . . .
1. Joseph Nicollet. Wikipedia entry. "Nicollet led three expeditions exploring the Upper Mississippi, mostly in the area that is now Minnesota, but parts of North and South Dakota as well. Nicollet's name is applied to several places in the region he explored, including Nicollet Island, Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis, Nicollet County and the city of Nicollet, all located in Minnesota." (Submitted on November 27, 2010.)

2. Flickr. Photos of the Bell of Two Friends. (Submitted on November 27, 2010.)

Photographed by Keith L, October 26, 2010

2. Joseph N. Nicollet Marker

Nearby Plaque on Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 26, 2010

3. Nearby Plaque on Sculpture

Bell of Two Friends image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Keith L, October 26, 2010

4. Bell of Two Friends

Dotaku This sculpture represents a greatly enlarged half-mold of a dotaku bell found in Ibaraki, Japan. Such bells date to the Yayoi period of Japanese history, approximately 2,000 years ago. The exact purpose of Dotaku bells is lost to history, but it is felt that they were largely ceremonial, rather than functional. The surface design of the bell suggests the importance of the ever-present waters and mountains of Japan.
Artist: Karen Sontag-Sattel 2001

Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,330 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on November 27, 2010, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.