Ojibwe elders at Grand Portage still remember the little village along the lakefront of the early 20th century. Like the kids in the photograph, they might have ridden on the first road from Duluth to Thunder Bay — old US Highway 61 — after it . . . — — Map (db m267284) HM
American Indians developed the birchbark canoe hundreds or thousands of years ago. It would provide the technology that allowed the North West Company to span the continent.
"Canots du Nord"
The 24-foot north canoes could be portaged . . . — — Map (db m153049) HM
First People Pieces of pottery found in this area show that humans have lived here for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence of ancient pits tell us that people mined copper from Isle Royale — visible on the horizon — some . . . — — Map (db m267378) HM
Voyageurs who did not want to buy things at the North West Company store inside the Depot had another option — or so it appeared. They could visit Boucher's Tavern, which once stood on the land before you. Operated by their fellow Frenchman, Jean . . . — — Map (db m267366) HM
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 . . . — — Map (db m62049) HM
The Gates are shut always after sunset and...
there are two Sentries keeping a look out all
night chiefly for fear of accident by fire.
John Macdonell, Grand Portage, 1793
This gatehouse was not intended to . . . — — Map (db m152975) HM
High Falls and nearly 20 miles of other falls and rapids made river travel impossible for Indians and fur traders. The Indians developed “The Grand Portage” (meaning “the great carrying place”), a nine-mile trail bypassing the falls and rapids to . . . — — Map (db m267352) HM
The oldest existing log church in Minnesota. The log structure was built in 1865, during the pastorate of Father Dominic Du Ranquet from Canada. The Jesuit fathers served the mission until 1905. The tamarack logs were covered with siding in 1940. . . . — — Map (db m254467) HM
Early loggers sent all their logs down the Pigeon River. How did they get the logs over High Falls? The wooden structure that you can see on the Canadian side of the Pigeon River is the remains of a log flume. Constructed in 1899 to avoid log . . . — — Map (db m267337) HM
Minnesota's Northern Border
Determining, surveying, and marking Minnesota’s border with Canada took 142 years and left the state with a tag end called the Northwest Angle standing isolated and alone on the Canadian side of Lake of the . . . — — Map (db m206879) HM
The Grand Portage, or "the great carrying place, Gichi Onigamiing, has been a meeting point for centuries: it was part of an extensive Native American trading network well before the first French trader arrived in 1731. Though the French formally . . . — — Map (db m152968) HM
Inside the Historic Depot in front of you are three of the sixteen buildings that once comprised the summertime headquarters of the North West Company. The depot was not a fort but instead a secure transshipment point for valuable furs and trade . . . — — Map (db m152973) HM
"All the buildings within the Fort are sixteen in number...Six of these buildings are Store Houses for the company's Merchandise and Furs, etc., the rest are dwelling houses shops compting and Mess House..."
John Macdonell 1793
"June . . . — — Map (db m153048) HM
The lever fur press, much like the reconstructed model before you, was frequently used at fur trading posts operated by the North West Company. It was simple to operate and could be constructed from wood found near the post. Fur pelts, with . . . — — Map (db m153042) HM
Montreal canoemen were hired to paddle to Grand Portage. Once there, each man had to carry several 90-pounds (41-kg) bundles of trade goods and supplies up the Grand Portage to Fort Charlotte, where the bundles were repacked for canoe brigades . . . — — Map (db m153054) HM
In the 1960s, archeologists discovered here remains of a structure used between 1785 and 1802, unusual because it was built on posts. They found artifacts that match the bills of lading from bales, kegs, and cassettes (small trunks) that were canoed . . . — — Map (db m152972) HM
The Treaty of Paris 1783 generally concluded the disputing of the boundaries between the U.S. and Canada. However, there was much controversy over the section of the treaty which provided that the dividing line for this area be the “usual water . . . — — Map (db m267334) HM
