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This piece presents a report, originally published in the May 7, 1853 issues of the Minnesotian and most likely written by its editor John P. Owens, of a trip by steamer up the Minnesota River to Fort Ridgely. Observations include the serpentine character of the river and numerous snags encountered the presence of farms and newly formed towns along the route, and the nature of the land at the confluence with the Cottonwood River. The author of the report was impressed by the agricultural and mineral resources of the valley, commenting on farming lands, timber, water, and stone.

Reporting on Henry David Thoreau's 1861 trip to Minnesota a year before his death, this article includes Thoreau's comments on a journey up the Minnesota River to the Lower Sioux Agency. He remarked on the winding nature of the rivers, its fertile valley, various bird and animal life, and navigation methods of the large steamboat on which he was traveling. Thoreau's observations also included the Indians at the agency; he particularly noted their apparent dissatisfaction with the white man's treatment of them.

This second of two volumes deals with Henry Thoreau's journey to Minnesota from May to July of 1861, the "last journey" before his death. His His travels included a voyage up and down the Minnesota River from Fort Snelling to the Lower Sioux Agency. The accounts include descriptions of Fort Snelling, the river and its valley, trees and flowers, birds and snakes, wild rice, steamboat navigation, and the Indians at the agency.

This extensive volume, published on the 100th anniversary of the Minnesota Geological Survey, was intended to summarize knowledge (as of 1972) of the geology of Minnesota. Organized by historical periods (Early Precambrian, middle Precambrian, late Precambrian, Paleozoic and Mesozoic, and Cenozoic), most sections include an article focusing on the geology of the Minnesota River Valley region.