Grand Portage in Cook County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Grand Portage

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 14, 1995

1. The Grand Portage Marker

Inscription. The Grand Portage, or Great Carrying Place, was a key 18th century link between the Pigeon River and Lake Superior, making it also a vital connection between Montreal and the rich fur-bearing lands far to the northwest. Traveled for centuries before by Native peoples, the 8.5 mile portage bypassed the unnavigable rapids and waterfalls on the lower 21 miles of the Pigeon River. Beginning about 1731, thousands of tons of furs and traded goods were carried across the Grand Portage on the backs of voyageurs. Each summer a great Rendezvous was held on these grounds near Lake Superior. Most of the trade here was over by 1803, but use of the portage is still covered by an 1842 treaty.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1731.

Location. 47° 57.768′ N, 89° 41.076′ W. Marker is in Grand Portage, Minnesota, in Cook County. It is at the intersection of Mile Creek Road (County Route 17) and Store Road (County Route 73), on the left when traveling south on Mile Creek Road. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 170 Mile Creek Road, Grand Portage MN 55605, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Minnesota’s Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness,

in the Arrowhead Region,

in the Iron Range,

and in the North Shore.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Great North Woods,

on Lake Superior’s North Shore,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

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: Guard the Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); North West Company Fur Press (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The North West Company (about 300 feet away); North West Company Depot (about 400 feet away); The Birchbark Canoe (about 400 feet away); Voyageurs at Grand Portage (about 400 feet away); A Warehouse for Furs, Trade Goods, and Now—Canoes

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 14, 1995

2. The Grand Portage Marker

(about 400 feet away); From Slog to Grog (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Grand Portage.

Also see . . . Grand Portage National Monument. (Submitted on January 2, 2013.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 14, 1995

3. The Grand Portage Marker

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 14, 1995

4. The Grand Portage Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 873 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 22, 2012, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.