A Lower Minnesota River Valley Cultural Resource Study and Interpretive Plan for the Minnesota Valley State Park and Trail

Commissioned by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, this study was designed to produce a comprehensive list of archaeological and historic sites in the Minnesota river Valley (between Mendota and le Sueur) to identify areas which might be impacted by the completion of a Minnesota Valley Trail and to provide information for interpretive sue along the trail. The report provides detailed information on such topics as ancient Native American cultures, early exploration, fur trading, major river floods, steamboating, railroads, early settlements, and stone quarrying. Six major interpretive themes are suggested for use along the trail, and an interpretive plan is proposed. Individual sites of historical and archaeological importance are identified and described. The report also includes a useful bibliographic essay on selected archaeological and historical sources.