PLATE I. 



HISTORICAL AND GEOGRAPHICAL CHART, 1884. N. H. WINCHELL. 



The earliest named geographic feature of Minnesota is lake Superior. It was 

 called Grand lac in 1615, by Champlain, which is the translation of the Chippewa 

 name Kitchi Gummi. He, however, did not see that lake, but got his information 

 from the Hurons. By Allouez it was called lake Tracy in 1666, and by Hennepin 

 lake Conde in 1680. 



From lake Superior the exploration of the state proceeded westward, the chief 

 factors being the agents of the fur companies, of whom Duluth was one of the most 

 active. There were two routes by which to reach the Sioux who then dwelt at Mille 

 Lacs, one by way of the St. Louis river and thence down the Mississippi to Red Cedar 

 lake, near Aitkin, and the other by way of lake St. Croix (in Wisconsin) and the St. 

 Croix river, and thence by way of the Snake river. These routes were much traveled. 

 But little later the route up the Mississippi to the same Indian settlement was made 

 known (1680) by the narrative of Hennepin, who ascended the Bum river as a captive 

 with the Indians whom he encountered on the Mississippi. Of these earliest explorers, 

 besides Duluth and Hennepin, we have records of Frauquelin, Groselliers and Perrot. 



The Minnesota river was ascended by LeSueur in 1700 and was mapped by 

 De L'Isle in 1703. The international boundary was first mapped by an Indian 

 (Otchagach) in 1730, and Lake of the Woods by Verendrye in 1731. The mythical 

 river Long was ascended by La Hontan in 1689. The interior of the state was known 

 later. Gen. Z. Pike in 1805 explored the Mississippi valley as far as to Cass lake, and 

 Morrison wintered at Itasca lake in 1804. Joseph Nicolas Nicollet, however, was the 

 chief pioneer in exploring and mapping the interior portion of the state. This was 

 in 1841. He was aided by Gen. J. C. Fremont. See Plate VII. Major S. H. Long 

 was at the falls of St. Anthony in 1817, and again in 1823. Gov. Lewis Cass made an 

 expedition in 1820 to the upper waters of the Mississippi. Mr. H. R. Schoolcraft 

 accompanied him, and also returned in 1832, when, in company with Lieut. James 

 Allen, he claims to have discovered and named Itasca lake. It appears to have been 

 known before. 



The student of early exploration in Minnesota will find the publications of these 

 explorers in the library of the Minnesota Historical Society at St. Paul. N. H. w. 



NOTE. The name Hohang, on the authority of Featherstonhaugh, may be 

 applied to the St. Croix river, 1835 ; and the name Clearwater river, near Wapashaw, 

 should be transferred to the next river farther north. 



