Hiawatha in Minneapolis in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Geology of Minnesota
Minnehaha Falls
Photographed by Keith L, October 16, 2008
1. Geology of Minnesota Marker
Near Fort Snelling, 10,000 years ago, melt water from the Wisconsin glacier was discharged through the Mississippi River and plunged over a ledge of Platteville limestone into a gorge cut chiefly in the white St. Peter sandstone. The undercutting action in the soft sandstone caused the limestone ledge to break off with a vertical face, thus maintaining the falls, while causing them to retreat upstream. When the falls in the main channel passed the upper end of the island–where the Soldiers Home now stands–the entire flow in the river was diverted to the main gorge and the falls in the west channel were abandoned. This unique and unusual geologic feature, an abandoned waterfall, is located at the north end of the former west channel which lies 200 feet east of this tablet.
The cataract in the Mississippi has migrated to St. Anthony Falls and Minnehaha has retreated from the abandoned channel to its present location, where the undercutting action responsible for the migration is apparent.
in cooperation with the Board of Park Commissioners
City of Minneapolis
1953
Erected 1953 by the City of Minneapolis.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. In addition, it is included in the Minnesota: Geological Society of Minnesota series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.
Location. 44° 54.92′ N, 93° 12.575′ W. Marker is in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is in Hiawatha. It can be reached from South Minnehaha Park Drive near Godfrey Road. Marker is in Minnehaha Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4801 South Minnehaha Park Drive, Minneapolis MN 55417, 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 Ruperts 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: Main Entrance Minnehaha Lower Glen (within shouting distance of this marker); Gunnar Wennerberg (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Master Map (about 300 feet away); President Lyndon B. Johnson at Minnehaha Falls (about 400 feet away); Stevens House (about 500 feet away); John Harrington Stevens House (about 500 feet away); Col. John H. Stevens (about 500 feet away); Minnehaha Depot (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minneapolis.
Another marker is no longer nearby. George Washington Bi-Centennial Tree (was about 300 feet away but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by Keith L, October 16, 2008
2. Geology of Minnesota Marker
Photographed by Keith L, October 16, 2008
3. Minnehaha Falls
Photographed by Keith L, October 16, 2008
4. Minnehaha Falls
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,179 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 9, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
