Prehistoric and Euroamerican Archaeology of Elk River, Minnesota: Current Knowlege and Probability ModelingPrehistoric and Euroamerican Archaeology of Elk
River, Minnesota:
Current Knowledge and Probability Modeling
Richard Rothaus
Professor of History
St. Cloud State University
Jason Haug
Historic Preservation Specialist
South Dakota State Historical Society
1 June 2004
Project Sponsored by the City of Elk River and the Minnesota State Historical
Preservation Office
The activity that is the subject of this report has been financed in part with Federal funds from the National Park Service
Department of the Interior. However, the contents and opinions do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Dep—
Interior, nor does the mention of trade names or commercial products constitute endorsement or recommendation by
the Interior.
This program receives Federal financial assistance for identification and protection of historic properties. Under Title
Rights Act of 1964 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the U. S. Department of the Interior prohibits discrin
basis of race, color, national origin, or disability n its federally assisted programs. If you believe you have been discriminated
program, activity, or facility as described above, or if you desire further information, please write to: Office for Equal Oppoi
Department of the Interior, National Park Service, 1849 C St., NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.
Table of Contents
Executive Summary ......................................................
Listof Maps..................................................................
Listof Figures...............................................................
Project and Report Introduction ...................................
Prehistoric and Early Historic Overview (to 1840s).......
Historic Overview (1840s — 1930s)................................
Archaeological Probability Model ..................................
Gazetteer of Prehistoric Sites ........................................
Gazetteer of Historic Sites ............................................
Conclusions and Recommendations ..............................
Figures..........................................................................
Maps.............................................................................
Endnotes......................................................................
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2
Executive Summary
The prehistoric period of Elk River remains largely an unknown, but there are reasons to
think that there may indeed be as yet undiscovered prehistoric sites. The Generalized
Archaeological Probability Model (Maps 5 and 6) indicates several areas of high and
moderate probability for archaeological sites, both within the old Milling District, as well as
throughout the entire township. Further research in the archaeology of Elk River is
important for an understanding of statewide and regional prehistory, as Elk River lies in an
environmental and perhaps cultural buffer zone, and is key in understanding the past,
including periods that saw the formation of the groups we now commonly refer to as
"tribes."
The historic period of Elk River is far better known, although mostly through
documentary rather than archaeological materials. While European explorers were traveling
through the Elk River area as early as the late 1700s, Elk River blossomed in the 1850s as an
industrial region. This very early focus on flour and sawmills, as well as associated industrial
activity, gives Elk River claim to being one of the key locations in the early development of
Minnesota. The earliest industrial history of Elk River predates, in fact, the statehood of
Minnesota. This Milling Era of Elk River was over by 1932, and currently is in danger of
being forgotten.
Specific recommendations are enumerated within this report. The very early industrial
history of Elk River provides a unique character to the City of Elk River. Knowledge of
these industrial origins of a now largely non -industrial community should be preserved and
interpreted, as well as the associated physical remains and the landscape around the Orono
dam. Preservation of this character will serve the City of Elk River well in the long run as it
strives to preserve an identity in the face of unprecedented and continuing growth and
development.
The undeveloped areas at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi Rivers (the Houlton
Farm) may present an opportunity for preservation of historical and archaeological sites as
well as an understandable landscape. A multi -use environmental and historical preservation
area here would provide Elk River with a cultural and community centerpiece that would be
the envy of the rapidly merging and increasingly indistinguishable communities from Maple
Grove to St. Cloud.
3
The Generalized Archaeological Probability Model (Maps 5 and 6) should be used as a
guide to development and preservation planning. Because Elk River is already so heavily
developed, and because development began so early, there is a pressing need to preserve and
study what archaeological areas remain. This need will be clarified by field work to be done
in the summer of 2004, but the confluence area mentioned above, as well as areas in the
eastern half of the township, especially along Trott Brook, should be treated with special
care, as they are very likely to contain significant archaeological sites and material.
4
List of Maps
Map1:
1879 Perspective Map............................................................................................................44
Map2:
1894 Sanborn Map.................................................................................................................45
Map 3:
1898 Mississippi River Survey...............................................................................................46
Map4:
1859 Vegetation Map..............................................................................................................47
Map 5:
Generalized Archaeological Probability Model (Elk River Township)..........................48
Map 6:
Generalized Archaeological Probability Model (Milling District)...................................49
Map 7:
Post A.D. 300 Archaeological Probability Model (Elk River Township)......................50
Map 8:
Post A.D. 300 Archaeological Probability Model (Milling District)...............................51
Map 9:
Reported Prehistoric Sites (Topographic)..........................................................................52
Map 10:
Reported Prehistoric Sites (Airphoto)................................................................................53
Map 11:
Milling District Historic Sites (Topographic)....................................................................54
Map 12:
Milling District Historic Sites (Airphoto)...........................................................................55
5
List of Figures
Figure 1: 1887 Flour Mill (left), Saw mill (center), Planing mill (right) (MHS HD5.5 r21) ... 40
Figure 2: First Holton Mill, c. 1890 (Growth of Sherburne County, p. 91)..................................... 40
Figure 3: Second Houlton Mill, c. 1893 (SCHS 90.200.583)...................................................... 41
Figure 4: 1898 Mississippi River Survey, Mill Area..................................................................... 41
Figure 5: Elk River Milling Company Flour Mill, 1907 (SCHS 90.200.511)............................ 42
Figure 6: 1912 Washed-out Dam and Mill Foundations (Growth of Sherburne County, p. 257) 42
Figure 7: Bottineau's Second Cabin (right), Nickerson Hotel (left) (MHS Negative 47560) 43
Figure 8: Camp Cozy (Lottie Embretson).................................................................................... 43
Project and Report Introduction
St. Cloud State University has undertaken to work in partnership with the City of Elk
River, as well as the Sherburne County Historical Society and the Minnesota State Historic
Preservation Office, to evaluate the existing archaeological and historical resources of Elk
River, Minnesota. Of particular interest and importance is the Milling District of the city, as
this forms the historic core of the city and the reason for the initial and most intense
development of the area.
For the Milling District we have attempted to document and synthesize, as fully as
possible, the location, chronology and history of the mills and related industrial sites. This
documentation is not exhaustive and there are additional sites of historic interest in Elk
River, as time constraints limited our focus on industrial concerns. The most notable
omission is the Camp Cozy area. While Camp Cozy is only briefly mentioned in this report,
and while it only partly lies within the township, it may represent one of the more important
historical and archaeological areas in Elk River Township.
The prehistory and archaeology of Elk River Township remains almost completely
unknown and there are no documented prehistoric sites. As part of this project we
performed a thorough literature search, and discovered that essential we are starting from
scratch. At best, comments have been made about the lack of archaeological material in the
Elk River by other investigators, but we believe such remarks and subsequent interpretations
must be considered with great caution. We believe the lack of reported archaeological
material is in part a reflection of the very early industrialization of the region, and in part the
absence of any previous systematic investigation. Preliminary surface investigations have
already revealed hints of prehistoric sites near the confluence of the Mississippi and Elk
Rivers. For this report, efforts have focused on building a vigorous and viable probability
model to allow us to focus future fieldwork.
In general, the historical sections of this report have been written by Jason Haug.
Richard Rothaus wrote the prehistoric and modeling sections and compiled the document.
This report would not have been possible with the archival material of the Sherburne
County Historical Society and the assistance of Kurt Kragness and Bobbie Scott.
7
Environmental and logistical assistance have been provided by Steven Rohlf and Rebecca
Haug, Building and Environmental Section, City of Elk River. This report strives to be
succinct and useful to the government and citizens of Elk River, and is not an exhaustive
scholarly report.
This first report will be followed by an additional report containing results of
archaeological fieldwork to be conducted in July 2004. This subsequent report will include
analysis of the accuracy and limitations of the probability model. Digital data and a digital
version of the model will be submitted as part of this second report.
8
Prehistoric and Early Historic Overview (to 1840s)
Specifics about the prehistoric period of Elk River remain almost completely unknown as
no archaeological sites in the township have been previously discovered or studied. We can
be certain, however, that the area has been home to multiple populations, perhaps beginning
with some of the oldest inhabitants of North America, to pre -Dakota, Dakota, and Ojibwa
peoples. There is no doubt that people clustered at the juncture of the Mississippi and Elk
Rivers to take advantage of the proximity to a variety of ecosystems and natural resources.
Furthermore, this river juncture was a crossroads of pre -motorized transportation in the
region; Elk River was the place where much regional north -south and east -west traffic would
meet as populations made their seasonal rounds.
Minnesota Prehistory and History is generally divided into six periods:'
Date
Period
Cultural Traits
10,000-6000 B.C. 'i
Paleoindian
Small semi -nomadic population, generally involved in
large game hunting (bison and mammoths), as well as
utilization of smaller games and other natural
j
' resources. The Paleoindians are characterized by
i
their large projectile points, and they did not use j
ceramic technology.
6000-200 B.C.
Archaic
i
Large game hunting continued with an increasing
emphasis on diverse strategies of hunting, trapping, o
t
and resource exploitation. The Archaic peoples are
more closely adapted to the local environment and
locally identifiable cultures and traditions appear. 1
Chipped as well as ground stone tools are
characteristic of this period, as well as the use of
cold -hammered copper. The Archaic peoples did not
use ceramic technology
200 B.C. - A.D.
Initial
Ceramic technology is first used, and new styles of
500
Woodland
stone tools are developed. The earliest examples of
mound building date to this period. A hunting -
t
gathering tradition continues, but people are more
sedentary and increasingly distinctive local and
regional develop. Minnesota's Initial
1
cultures
Woodland populations presumably included the
ancestors of the some of the Dakota.
A.D. 500 1680 1
Terminal
The patterns of the Initial Woodland continue, but j
9
Woodland there is a marked increase in the use of harvested and
fdomesticated plants, including wild rice and corn.
This more sedentary lifestyle is matched by the
appearance of villages. Ojibwa movement into
� Minnesota begins in this period.
E
3 A.D 1680-1800 Early € Ceramic and stone tool technologies begin to
Euroamerican disappear and be replaced with metal trade goods.
A.D. 1800- Euroamerican I Euroamerican settlements begin and Euroamerican
E present ! material culture becomes dominant.
This periodization scheme is, of course, an oversimplification, and during the Initial and
especially Terminal Woodland period extensive and intricate local and regional cultures
developed within Minnesota, some with their own unique ceramic and lithic traditions. The
lack of previous archaeological research in the Elk River area, however, prevents any
conjectures about such developments in and around Elk River.
Of particular interest is the period from AD 1000-AD 1300. In the woodlands and
prairies of southern and central Minnesota the archaeological record indicates this was a
period of strong cultural changes, marked by changing ceramic types and agricultural
practices. Clustered villages appear in this period, and there is some evidence for defensive
palisades, all indicating that tensions were high and safety and protection were a strong
cultural concern. These tensions and changes reach more northern parts of Minnesota by
A.D. 1300, with similar village clusters being formed and intensification in the use and
storage of wild rice.'
At the height of these tensions c. A.D. 1300 Elk River may have fallen become a "no
man's land." There is evidence for a sharp cultural divide between northern and southern
Minnesota that accompanied the evidence of increasing tension and violence. During such
periods it is not uncommon for buffer zones to develop, as happened during the historic
Dakota -Ojibwa conflict.3 It may be that as a buffer zone, the Elk River area was not
inhabited in this period.
Slightly more is known about the Native Americans of Minnesota in the Early
EuroAmerican period after 1680, but specifics about the Elk River region remain unknown.
This was a period of great change and fragmentation of Native American groups caused by
numerous internal and external factors, not the least of which was the widespread effect of
10
introduced Euro-American diseases. The period saw a peak of strife between tribal groups,
and warfare presumably more vigorous than previously experienced in this region, sparked in
part by the tremendous pressure Euroamerican contact was creating within and between
communities. During this period of tension, Elk River may again have fallen into a buffer
zone. French fur -traders, explores and missionaries journeyed through Minnesota beginning
in the 1660s and established trading posts that altered and forts. Undoubtedly such activity
occurred near the heavily trafficked area of Elk River, but the specifics were not recoverable
within the scope of this project. This period deserves of further research in future projects.
Because the archaeology of the Elk River area remains almost completely unknown and
not even a single archaeological site has been officially documented, there remain very basic
research questions of state-wide importance to be addressed, including, but not limited to:
1) How did the peoples of Elk River fit into the spectrum of Woodland cultures of
Minnesota?
2) Does the archaeological record reflect a buffer zone in this region in c. A.D. 1300?
11
Historic Overview (1840s—1930s)
Early European Settlement (1840s—1850s.)
The earliest European travel through the Elk River area occurred from the late 1700s to
the early 1800s by explorers like Jonathan Carver, Zebulon Pike, Lewis Cass, and Henry
Schoolcraft in their explorations of the upper Mississippi River. European settlement did
not occur until the 1840s when a trading post was established along the north bank of the
Elk River. Accounts differ as to who established this first trading post in Elk River. W.H.C.
Folsom says in nifty Years in the Northwest that David Faribault built the post in 1846. That
post was later purchased by H.M. Rice and S.P. Folsom, who Bottineau then reportedly
purchased the post from in 1848.4 Bottineau also built a log cabin at Elk River (Lowertown)
in 1849, which he used as a tavern. The History of the Upper
Mississippi Malley, written in 1881,
says that Pierre Bottineau built the first trading post in 1848 at what would become Orono
(Uppertown), but does not report earlier owners.5
Shortly after the trading post was established, a small number of farmers began to settle
in the area. Silas Lane is given credit for establishing the first farm in Elk River. In 1850,
Lane claimed land in section thirty-two of Elk River Township, which included the water
power on the Elk River that would later be used for saw and flour mills. Oliver H. Kelley
also claimed land in Elk River in 1850. His farm was located along the Mississippi River in
section fourteen of Elk River Township. Charles M. Donelly, L.B. Culver, and Richard
Davis were other early farmers in the Elk River area.'
Along with these early farms, a few business enterprises were also started in the early
1850s. In 1851, Aid Godfrey and John G. Jameson purchased Lane's claim and built a dam
and a gristmill on the Elk River that same year. They built a sawmill the following year.'
Godfrey also started a general store near the gristmill.' A year after Bottineau built his log
cabin at Lowertown, Francis Delill helped him build a hotel adjacent to the cabin. The hotel
was known as the Elk River House and was located where the First National Bank of Elk
River now stands on the southeast corner of the King Avenue and Main Street intersection.
John Q.A. Nickerson purchased the hotel from Bottineau in 1853 and hired Delill to enlarge
the building.' (For additional information on Oliver Kelley, Ard Godfrey, and agriculture in
Elk River through 1950 see the Elk River Historic Contexts Siucly, pgs. 11-16)
12
Establishment (1850s—1870s)
Water power from the Elk River formed the basis for the settlement of Orono. Godfrey
and Jameson's mills gradually attracted other settlers to the area who started farming and
opened a few businesses as well. In 1856 P.O. Hawes built a general store and Eddy Dickey,
who had helped build the dam and mills, started a door, sash, and blind factory.
Most of the early settlers in both Elk River and Orono came from New England,
especially Maine. Orono was named for Godfrey's hometown of Orono, Maine. Some also
came from Canada but it was not until the later part of the nineteenth century that more
Germans and Scandinavians began to settle in the area. Many Hungarians also settled in
northern Elk River Township during the 1890s.
Orono was first platted by Godfrey in May 1855. The original Orono plat consisted of
nineteen blocks along the southern shore of Lake Orono. In 1857 Alden Heath platted two
blocks on the large peninsula of Lake Orono. The plat became known as Heath's Addition
to Orono and included the Orono Cemetery, Elk River's oldest cemetery.10 Orono's faster
development than Lower Town Elk River led to Orono becoming the Sherburne County
Seat for a few years in the 1860s. From 1856 to 1862, Sauk Rapids served as the center of
government for Sherburne County. Orono then became the county seat but county officers
worked out of their homes because there was no courthouse." The first school in Elk River
was built at Orono along Main Street on lot eight, block nine of the original Orono plat.
The earliest religious services in Orono were held in a back room of P.O Hawes's store.12
The completion of the railroad through Elk River by the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad in
1864 changed the orientation of the Elk River — Orono area. Instead of going through
Orono, the railroad went through the center of Lower Town Elk River. Elk River was
platted a year after the railroad was built and was largely oriented toward the railroad.13 This
changed center of business and population from Orono to Elk River and in 1867 Elk River
became the county seat of Sherburne County.14 (For additional information on the railroad
in Elk River, see Elk River Historic Contexts Study, 18-19.)
The new railroad greatly aided the steamboats on the Mississippi River in bringing the
stream of immigrants to Elk River. The population of Elk River village and township was
200 people in 1860, 538 in 1870, and 895 in 1890. As Elk River began to grow more rapidly,
new additions were made to the original Elk River plat. After the town site was re -platted in
13
1868, the village began to expand west toward Orono with Houlton's Addition in 1874, the
Thomas Addition in 1875 and Auditors Addition in 1882.
Elk River of this period is illustrated in the 1879 Perspective Map (Map 1).
Development and Re-develo ment 1880s —191Os)
Elk River's growing population led to the construction of several buildings and the
establishment of numerous businesses toward the end of nineteenth century and beginning
of the twentieth century. Elk River had a good industrial base by 1880 that included two
saw mills, a planing mill, a flour mill, two blacksmith shops, two tin and iron ware
manufacturers, a chair factory, a furniture maker, and a cooper shop.15 Elk River also had a
few General Merchant stores, a drug store, two law offices, a couple of carpenters, a harness
shop, and two hotels."
Banking in Sherburne County also got its start in Elk River. In June 1885, W.L. Babcock,
W.H. Houlton and Henry Castle incorporated the Bank of Elk River with a capital of
$10,000. The Bank of Elk River re -incorporated in 1902 as a state bank and in September
1929 the bank became a member of the Northwest Bank Corporation." In 1899 Houlton
sold his interest in the Bank of Elk River to Babcock and Castle and organized a separate
private bank, simply known as Houlton's Bank. It operated as a private bank until 1907
when it was converted to a national bank and has since been known as the First National
Bank.18
Major fires were a common occurrence throughout this period of Elk River's history.
Fires destroyed numerous homes, leveled many mills and factories, and reshaped downtown
Elk River several times. One of the earliest fires occurred in 1868 when the Mills and
Houlton Flour Mill was destroyed.' The first major fire in Elk River, however, took place in
1887 when a fire started in the Mills and Houlton planing and went on to level the flour mill,
the sawmill, and several other buildings, including H. Galley's chair factory and E. Dickey's
hotel.20 The mills and many of the other buildings were replaced shortly after the fire.
Eleven years later another major fire destroyed what had been Elk River's downtown.
The fire in April 1898 destroyed a row of frame buildings that were located along the
northside of the railroad tracks on current Railroad Drive. The buildings were on the blocks
east and west of Jackson Avenue and included the J.H. Romdene jewelry store, the Heeber,
Davis & Co. general merchandise store, Dr. N.K. Whittemore's office, the Sberburne County
14
Star News office, the post office, Herman Greupner's shoe store, M.A. Wheaton's general
store, C.S. Wheaton's law office, as well as several other businesses. The only fire fighting
equipment Elk River had at the time was a hose and the water tank owned by the Great
Northern Railroad. When this fire broke out there was no steam to operate the pump and
nobody knew where the hose was until it was too late to save any of the buildings.21
Following this fire, the business owners rebuilt on the south side of the railroad tracks and in
doing so shifted Elk River's downtown area to where it is today.
The next major fire occurred in January 1903 and destroyed many of the buildings along
Jackson Avenue and Main Street that had been built following the 1898 fire. Elk River still
had no fire equipment at this time.22 By the time the next major fire hit in 1911, the city had
a fire engine but was not used because the fire was already too far along. The 1911 fire
destroyed what was known as the Post Office block along the south side of Main Street and
west of Jackson Avenue.23
The last major fire during this period occurred in April 1915 and destroyed the main
business buildings along Jackson Avenue and Main Street. The city's fire engine was used
this time but was insufficient to handle this fire. The fire caused a loss of over $100,000 for
the business owners who again rebuilt their buildings in the same location along Jackson and
Main.2a
Sawmills were operated in Elk River from 1852 until William H. Houlton sold his sawmill
in 1903. The machinery from that mill was sold to other mills. Along with the flour milling,
sawmilling was one of Elk River's major industries throughout the second half of the
nineteenth century. Like so many other businesses, the greatest detriment to Elk River's saw
and planing mills was fire. Five different mills burned down from 1887 to 1923, though only
three were in operation at the time of the fire. The lumber business seemed to be more
reliable than the flour business during the second -half of the nineteenth century as there was
almost always a ready supply of timber and a heavy demand for building supplies. The
lumber industry began to decline in Minnesota after the turn of the twentieth century.
Lumber companies first moved to northern Minnesota after the timber supply in central
Minnesota was depleted but later had to continue on to the Pacific Northwest for the same
reason.
Elk River of this period is illustrates in the 1894 Sanborn Map (Map 2) and the 1898
Mississippi River Survey Map (Map 3).
15
Modernization (1910s—1930s)
The telephone, establishment of a fire department, electrification, a new water system, a
new hospital and clinic, and improved transportation all signaled and facilitated
modernization in Elk River. The telephone came to Elk River in 1902 when the local
telephone exchange was opened. In July 1910, the Elk River and Big Lake telephone lines
were connected.zs
The following quotes appeared in the Sherburne County Star News following Elk River fires
in January 1903 and April 1915:
It is believed that when our town is once more rebuilt the time will be ripe for the procuring
Of some adequate fire apparatus. The person or town who refuses to learn by repeated sad
experiences proves his own folly.
- SCSN, 8 January 1903, p.1
Hozv many more lessons of this kind do the business men of Elk River need before some
kind of adequate fire fighting equipment is procured?
- SCSN, 22 April, 1915, p.1
The 1915 fire was apparently the last lesson because in 1916 the City Council of Elk River
replaced the old fire engine.26 Although the city had purchased a fire engine by 1911, it was
ineffective and Elk River still had to rely on assistance from Minneapolis, which was rarely
useful because of the obvious distance and time it took the Minneapolis engines or trains to
reach Elk River.27 In 1920 the Elk River Fire Department purchased a pump that could be
used with either a gasoline engine or an electric motor and a new water system that same
year gave the Department enough access to water and enough pressure to more effectively
fight fires. Fire insurance prices were also apparently lowered in 1920 because of the
improved fire equipment.28
Following the destruction of the flour mill by a flood in 1912, there was hope that
another flour mill would be built at the same spot.29 The dismantling of that mill in 1913
and a front-page editorial published in the Sherburne County Star News in 1914, however,
sparked new plans for this location. The editorial advocated using the water power that had
powered the milling industry for sixty years to provide electricity throughout the city.30 After
many delays in securing funding and in earning the support of the village council, F.D.
Waterman, who was part owner of the water power along with Fred Hildreth, incorporated
the Elk River Power and Light Company in 1915 with himself as president, his wife as vice
16
president, and M.E. Waterman as secretary. A new concrete dam was built that same year
several hundred feet up the river from where the old dam stood and a power plant was built
to the east of the new dam. J.C. Jacobson, who built the paper mill and power plant at
Sartell, supervised the construction of the new dam and power plant. The electric current
was turned on in Elk River in January 1916."
Installation of a municipal water system in 1920 was another major improvement in Elk
River during this period. The new system was built at a cost of $50,000 and the Elk River
Fire Department held a large celebration to dedicate the new system, including various
competitions between area fire departments.32
The Jefferson Highway, or current Highway 10, was constructed in the early 1920s and
opened to traffic in November 1921. The highway was originally called Trunk Highway 3
and was renamed U.S. Highway 10 in 1926. The highway, like the railroad tracks, generally
followed the original Oxcart trail and Military road.33 (For more information on State
Highway Commissioner Charles M. Babcock, the Jefferson Highway, and other Elk River
roads and bridges, see Elk River Historic Contexts Study, 19-22.)
In 1923, the first hospital and clinic were built in Elk River. Prior to 1923, health care
was provided by a few physicians with their own offices. Dr. N.K. Whittemore practiced
medicine in Elk River from 1873 until his death in 1907.34 Dr. George E. Parsons began to
assist Whittemore in 1906 and carried on that practice after Whittemore died until his own
death in April 1923. Dr. G.E. Page also practiced medicine in Elk River until his death in
1935 and had served as county coroner for twenty years.'S Dr. George R. Dunn had led the
effort to organize the hospital and clinic. Although there were several visiting doctors
associated with the hospital in its early years, Dr. B. Roehlke was the only physician
permanently located in Elk River. He purchased the office and equipment of Dr. Parsons
shortly after Parsons died.'
Along with this period of modernization, however, came the end of one of Elk River's
most important early industries. The flour mill industry lasted in Elk River from 1851 until
1932, with evidence of at least five and possibly six different mills existing throughout that
period. Floods and droughts, wheat shortages, competition from other mills, and fires were
the main obstacles for the Elk River flour mills.
From 1892 to 1912, the dam was washed away or undermined at least eight times, causing
the flour mills to shut down until the water power was restored.37 The mills were also forced
17
to shut down from time to time because of the low stage of water in the Elk River.'" In
1901, the planing mill owned by William Houlton and the flour mill owned by the Elk River
Milling Company argued over the use of the water power because the water level was too
low for both mills to run at full capacity.39
Wheat shortages and competition from other mills also hampered the flour mills at times.
In 1875, Mills and Houlton were running their flour mill 24 hours a day "notwithstanding
the great depression of the flour market. ,40 An 1899 article in the Sherburne County Star News
said that "it requires over twelve hundred bushels of wheat per day to keep [the flour mill]
running and the local supply has not yet been large enough to keep it going."41 By 1911, the
Elk River Milling Company flour mill appeared to have been in a desperate economic
situation. An advertisement appeared in the Sherburne County Star News that listed the
following six benefits of having the Elk River Milling Company in business:
"First, the Elk River Milling Co. when building a mill in Elk River paid
large amounts of money to the people of Elk River. Second, the Elk River
Milling Co. improves the market of Elk River. Third, the Elk River Milling
Co. gives work to five men, most of them heads of families. Fourth, the Elk
River Milling Co. pays a heavy yearly tax ... [Sixth], The Elk River Milling
Co. gives the farmer a chance to receive more for what he raises. [Seventh],
the Elk River Milling Co. sells at a lower price than the farmer could buy for,
should there be no flour mill."
The advertisement also claimed "If you want [the mill] to remain, we will have to have
your support.i42 Ironically, the Milling Company's mortgage was foreclosed on a week
before a flood washed out the dam and undermined the mill, rendering it inoperable. The
mill was dismantled in 1913.43
Fire destroyed four of the six known flour mills: the George Albee flour mill burned in
1868; the Mills and Houlton mill burned in 1887; the Mills and Sons mill burned in 1902;
and the Leslie Hill flour mill burned in 1932. The burning of the Leslie Hill mill in 1932
marked the end of the flour milling industry in Elk River.
18
Archaeological Probability Model
Background and Theory
The archaeological probability model is based on the types of environmental settings that
past inhabitants of Elk River would have found most suitable for habitation and use.
Models are simplified constructions of more complex phenomena, and begin with the most
important factors that lead to a final outcome or result. For Elk River, certain
environmental parameters provide strong factors in determining where peoples in the past
lived. Humans in the pre -industrial eras were far more constrained by environmental
conditions than we are today. In the past, people could not prosper at all locations on the
landscape; in the present (with the benefit of heavy machinery and engineering skills) we are
much more accustomed to modifying the landscape to fit our needs and desires. Many
obvious constraints come to mind: humans cannot survive without access to perennial fresh
water; farmers cannot prosper without arable land, villages can not be placed on precipitous
slopes. We can develop reasonable probability models to depict a range of suitable
environments in which humans could have prospered.
Human behavior and human choice, on the other hand, are difficult to model, because
they often cannot be predicted given the logic of an observer removed hundreds or even
thousands of years, and because human behavior is not consistent. When human choice is
introduced, many different outcomes are possible. For example, many people settle in
locations for reasons of tradition or family ties, even when more environmentally amenable
spots may exist ("it was good enough for grandpa and it's good enough for me"). This
behavior, which we all know is common among humans, cannot be readily modeled.
Combine this with the dearth of information on prehistoric settlements in the Elk River, and
there is limited predictive value in the model. Rather, the purpose of the model is to assess
the probability that specific kinds of locations and environments were favored by prior
inhabitants of Elk River. In other words, the model can identify which areas would have
been most amenable and thus most likely to have been utilized and inhabited in the past, but
the model cannot determine whether such areas were actually utilized. Thus while the model
is a useful planning tool, field studies are still essential.
Elk River Environmental Settin
19
During the Wisconsin ice age, beginning some 75,000 years ago, massive glaciers pushed
into Minnesota carrying sands, gravels and rocks from far north with them. Some 12,000
years ago, the climate of Minnesota became warmer and drier. The glaciers began to melt
and as they melted, cracks formed and substantial rivers and streams of melt -water were
created. These flows deposit layers of gravel and sand to create the Anoka Sand Plain. Elk
River lies within this sand plain as is clearly evident by its very sandy soils and thick deposits
of pure sand and gravel. These sandy soils have defined vegetation types and agricultural
uses in the area.`
The environmental setting of Elk River for past peoples has been defined not just by
geology, but also by climate. The climate of Minnesota has experienced minor, but
important, variations in the past 10,000 years, and the importance of these variations is
amplified in the Elk River area. Elk River lies within a transitional zone and currently sits on
the boundary between prairie, oak savannah and deciduous forest habitats. Relatively minor
shifts in temperature and wetness cause these habitats to shift, and the vegetation types of
Elk River have changed significantly in the past."
Date I Elk River Climate and Vegetation
10,000-6000 B.C. i Open forest with a mix of conifers and _--
deciduous trees, and substantial sections of
prairie.
i 6000-2000 B.C. Prairie during a warmer drier period.
2000 B.C. - A.D. Oak Savannah and Deciduous Forest during a
300 cooler, wetter period. Some prairie may also
have been present.
A.D. 300-present Mixture of Oak Savannah, Deciduous Forest
and Prairie.
Cultural Periods
Paleoindian
Archaic
Archaic, Initial Woodland
Terminal Woodland, Early
EuroAmerican,
EuroAmerican.
The geology and changing climate of Elk River create limitations in modeling for
archaeological sites. The sandy soils and relatively flat terrain allow for and frequent changes
in the course of rivers and streams and the placement of lakes. Changing climate has
brought with it changing vegetation. While we are reasonably certain that there have been
20
no substantial variations in the courses of the Mississippi and Elk rivers in the past 6000
years, we have not accounted for the moderate variations that may have occurred. For
smaller streams and lakes, this assumption also holds true, with less certainty as to the age
and stability of those streams and lakes. Because of its location in a transitional zone, we
cannot model for vegetation coverage prior to A.D. 300, and have assumed moderate
stability in vegetation coverage since that time.
As a rule of thumb, the farther back in time one wishes to go, the less reliable the model
becomes.
Elk River Model Parameters
The Archeological Probability model works with three basic parameters: proximity to
water, topography, and vegetation coverage.
Water: Until very recently proximity to a water source was an absolute essential for any
sustainable usage of a landscape. This is the most heavily weighted category in the model, as
proximity to water determines accessibility to a variety of essential resources. Not only does
such proximity provide the obvious necessity of drinking water, it is also clear that other
essential resources are found near water sources. These include the many useful plants of
riparian and wetland areas as well as fish and fowl as food sources. Streams and rivers
provide erosional areas where gravels and stones are uncovered; these were essential on a
daily basis for prehistoric people who used the minerals as the base material for many of
their tools. Additionally, for most of Minnesota history (pre 1850s), waterways, especially
rivers like the Mississippi and Elk provided the major transportation routes; by canoes and
water craft in warmer months, and by snow -shoeing in the colder months.
For this model, three types of waters have been used: lakes, rivers and perennial streams.
Areas closer to the water sources are more probable to contain archaeological sites than
areas farther away. These categories are weighted, with rivers receiving the most emphasis
because of their essential role in transportation, lakes receiving the next highest emphasis
because of their abundant supply of natural resources, and perennial streams third.
The model is, of course, limited by the accuracy and reliability of the datasets it relies
upon. This is most telling in its use of hydrological data. As discussed above, it is to be
expected that the courses of rivers and streams, as well as size and location of lake, has
changed over time. The base hydrological data comes from mapping of current streams,
21
rivers and lakes, many of which have been modified by humans in the past 100 years. For
example, in the northwestern portion of the township, the very large Rice Lake seems to
have appeared after 1888 and then disappeared in the 1930's.41
To construct the model the dataset has been modified as follows: 1) Lake Orono was
removed, as it is completely artificial, 2) lakes less than 1 hectare in area have been removed,
as many are man-made, and lakes of this small size are of minimal importance in modeling.
The existing streams have been used for modeling but it should be noted that these seem to
have been heavily affected by drainage ditches in the northern half, and especially the
northwestern quarter, of the township.
Topography: The issue of topography does not need much explanation. While the Elk
River area is mostly flat, there are areas of high relief. The model weights areas with gentle
slope (0°to 5°) as having the highest probability, moderate slope (5°to 15°) as having
moderate probability. Areas of higher slope are not excluded from the model, but receive
no weighting in the model on the basis of topography. Additionally, hill and ridge tops are
weighted in the model. Any area that stands out in relief (at a higher elevation) than its
surroundings has long been favored as a habitation or use area, and such areas are an
important component of the model.
Vegetation: A major component of archaeological modeling is consideration of
vegetation coverage. The prehistoric and early historic peoples of Minnesota depended
directly on the land to provide them with all of their needs: food, fibers, shelter, and fuel.
Archaeological and ethnographic studies have indicated that these resources were to be
found in a variety of ecological settings. While some settings contain more resources than
others, access to the whole variety is desirable. For example, the deciduous forest provides
the most consistently and readily available food sources, but it is within the prairie that the
highly desirable bison and elk were to be found.
The key to modeling vegetation coverage is an understanding of the ecotone. The
ecotone is the boundary area between two or more ecological systems, and humans tend to
gravitate to these ecotones. For example, prehistoric and historic peoples have tended to
live along the edge of the forest, not in the depths of the forest; the ecotone joining lake and
forest has long been prime habitat, and continues in its popularity today.
For the Elk River area, which has been so heavily modified in the last 100 years, mapping
of vegetation suffers from similar limitations, and the model relies on vegetation as recorded
22
on the Marschner map, based on data from 1895 (Map 4).47 The Marschner vegetation types
have been simplified as follows:
Simplified Category Marschner Categories
Mixed Deciduous Forest
Oak Savannah
Prairie
Wetland
Aspen —Oaks, Big Woods -Hardwoods,
River Bottom Forest
Oak Opens and Barrens
Prairie
Conifer Bogs and Swamps, Wet Prairie
The model functions by weighting areas that fall along the border of any of these
ecosystems (forest, savannah, prairie, and wetland). As most desirable is to have access to all
these systems, the more ecotones present in any given area, the more heavily weighted the
area is in the probability model.
As mentioned above, the farther back in time one goes, the less accurate the vegetation
map is. Because of the environmental changes discussed earlier, the vegetation maps do not
apply to any period pre-A.D. 300. Thus two versions of the model have been produced: a
generalized model for all period, and a post 300 A.D. model that considers vegetation.
Parameters not included: Some parameters often included in a model are not included
in this Elk River model. Many models emphasize river terraces; in the Elk River model,
which initially heavily weights proximity to river and also considers hill and ridge tops, using
river terraces as a modeling factor proved to be redundant. Proximity to organic soils and
glacial sediments are often used as parameters but these proved to have a minor effect on
the Elk River model, in part because most of Elk River is in sandy outwash areas, and in part
because the glacial till, important for lithic resources, is exposed in this areas by rivers and
streams which are heavily weighted.
For the early historic period, it would be expected that the model would use proximity to
the Red River Oxcart trail and the Military Road as a parameter. Both of these routes,
however, run so closely to the already heavily weighted rivers systems, that the addition of
these trails as a parameter has no appreciable effect on the model: essential they are
redundant. For this reason the generalized model is functional for both prehistoric and early
historic periods.
23
A parameter that would be very useful to add to the model would be a consideration of
the age and depths of the various soils and fills in the Elk River area. This would allow for
consideration of potentially deeply buried sites, eroded sites, and natural site disturbance.
Using such a parameter requires extensive geomorphologic research beyond the scope of
this study.
Model Weighting: Two different base models have been created. The first, a general,
all -periods model does not consider vegetation types, as these remain unclear for periods
prior to A.D. 300. The second model includes a consideration of ecotones, but is valid only
for periods post A.D. 300.
General Model
Parameter
Weight
Proximity to River
30% i
Proximity to Lake
20%
Proximity to Stream
20%
I Slope
e
15%
__
Hilltop
15%
Post A.D. 300 Model
? Parameter Weight
Proximity to River 30%
Proximity to Lake ( —� 20%�
Proximity to Stream 10%
s
Slope f 15%`__._..__1
a Hilltop 15%
Proximity to Ecotones I 10%
Removal of Developed Areas: As the goal of this model is to provide a useful basis
for preservation and project planning, the final version of the model has classified all heavily
24
developed areas as having low archaeological site probability, as these areas have already
been significantly disturbed. These developed areas have been derived from the 1993
Minnesota DNR, Department of Forestry GAP Land Cover dataset. As such, there are
newly developed areas that have not been incorporated into the model.
Using the Model
Users of the Elk River Archaeological Probability model should remember one very basic
consideration. This is a probability model; it does not predict the presence or absence of
archaeological sites, but only indicates where one is more likely or less likely to find such
sites. Thus when planning, the model can be used to identify where archaeological sites are
least likely to be, but field examination of such areas is still a necessity. Likewise, the model
can be used to avoid development planning in areas of high archaeological potential, but the
model cannot in and of itself identify areas of archaeological significance; again, field
examination is required.
Special caution should be used when working in already developed areas. The model
sets these areas to a low probability by default, as the presence of extensive development
increases the likelihood that any archaeological sites present have already been disturbed.
There are, however, ample cases in Minnesota of archaeological sites being discovered in the
midst of heavily developed areas, and field checks should not be neglected.
For the simplest use of the model, individuals should consult the Generalitied Model of
Archaeological Probability for Elk River (Maps 5 and 6). This model is the least specific, but as
its name implies, most generally useful version.
Additional reference can be made to the Post A.D. 300 Model of Archaeological Probability for
Elk River (Maps 7 and 8), which includes additional parameters and may indicate
differentiations not present in the General Model.
Because of the heavy modification of streams and lakes in the northwestern quarter of
the township, the model is less reliable for this area. Additionally, the model uses extant
DNR hydrological maps, and consideration of man-made lakes and water courses, as well as
modification of existing waters should be considered as part of any development or
fieldwork plan.
25
Gazetteer of Prehistoric Sites
There are no confirmed prehistoric archaeological sites in Elk River Township. A 1981
report inventories reports of archaeological sites and material, but none of these sites were
visited or examined by the authors." The recorded sites within the township illustrated in
the Reported Prehistoric Sites Map (Maps 9 and 10).
( I)Tbompson Mounds. T33 R26 S '/2 Sec 5, S '/2 N '/2 Sec 4.
An oval mound 1x17x15m was reported on a high bluff 50 feet above Rice Lake.
Additionally a collection of Ethics and ceramics was noted from SE '/4 SW 1/4 Sec 5.
Material may be Archaic/Woodland.
(2)Prjeaile Site. T33 R26 E 1/2 Sec 7, W '/a Sec S.
Report of projectile point found on property.
(3)Twin Lake Site. T33 R26 E '/2 Sec 24.
A projectile point collection from the site was noted.
(4)Kliewer Site. T33 R26 W '/2 SW 'A Sec 35.
Report of one projectile point and flakes '/4 mile east of the house of Edward K]iewer.
(5)Peterson Site. T33 R26 SW '/4 NW '/4 Sec 6.
Report of artifacts '/4 miles south of farmhouse along CO32. Collection held by son
of Bart Peterson. Axe or blank made of Hixton Quartzite reported.
William Warren report in his History of the Ojbway People that battles were fought in Elk
River between the Ojibwa and Dakota peoples in 1772 and again in 1773. Warren wrote his
account 100 years after the fact and his version should be used with caution. At the very
least, however, the tradition illustrates the nature of Elk River as a crossroads. In both
battles the encounter begins with the Ojibwa traveling along the Elk River encountering
Dakota peoples traveling upon the Mississippi. These battles were really skirmishes, with
no deaths occurring in the first, and eight deaths marking the second battle as a very serious
event. There is no expectation that there would be archaeological remnants of these
skirrnishes.49
26
Gazetteer of Historic Sites
These sites are indicated on the Milling District Historic Sites map (Maps 11 and 12).
FLOUR MILLS
(I)First Flour Mill and (2)FirstSawmill (See Figure 1).
The first flour mill was built by Ard Godfrey and John G. Jameson along the Elk River
shortly after they built the dam. In a September 1851 letter to his wife Nancy, who was also
Godfrey's sister, Jameson says that they had started work on the dam and the gristmill and
would be starting the sawmill either that winter or by the following spring.50 Godfrey and
Jameson ran the mill together until 1855 when they divided their property. Jameson took
the farm land east of the Elk River while Godfrey kept the mills and the land west of the
river.51
In 1858 Godfrey sold the mill property to Richard Martin, who then sold the property to
Edward Martin in 1863. The mills were purchased by James B. Mills in 1863 and by George
Albee, Mill's brother-in-law, in 1865.52 There is sketchy evidence that Albee rebuilt the grist
mill in 1864. Why the mill needed to be rebuilt is unknown. It is unclear if the mill was just
upgraded or completely rebuilt. Albee died in 1865.53 An 1865 Minnesota business directory
listed no flour mill in Elk River or Orono so it was likely not operating at the time.54 James
Mills purchased the property at a public auction in 1868.55 The flour mill was leveled by fire
in 1868.56
(3)Mi11s and Houlton Flour Mill
A new flour mill was built in the same spot soon after the first mill was destroyed by fire.
Even though the flour mill was being operated by Mills and Gardiner in 1870, it was still
referred to as the Albee mill in a newspaper article so it is possible he rebuilt the mill.57 In
1869, Edward P. Mills had purchased his brother James's share of the mills.58 Susan Albee
sold her remaining mill property to William H. Houlton in 1873.59 The mills were then
known as the Mills and Houlton Flouring and Sawing Mills. The flour mill was built mostly
of oak and was seventy feet square and sixty feet high.60
By 1880 the flour mill was running full-time nine months out of the year and part-time
the other three months. They employed an average of ten men throughout the year and had
27
a capacity of 200 barrels of flour per day. The mill was powered by the Elk River using four
turbine wheels.' This mill was destroyed in May 1887 in a fire that wiped out the entire
milling industry at Upper Town. The fire started in the Mills and Houlton planing mill and
then passed to the saw and flour mills.Z
(4)Mills and Sons Flour Mill
Following the 1887 fire, another flour mill was built in the same spot and was completed
by December 1887.63 The new mill was three stories high and was water -powered like the
previous flour mill. In 1889 the mills capacity was 250 barrels of flour per day. 4 Mill
advertisements show that the new mill was operated by Edward P. Mills and Sons, until
1894.65 Houlton had retired from the flour mill following the fire but in January 1894, he
again became involved in the flour mill.66 An article in the Sherburne County Star News noted
that "Mr. W.H. Houlton has taken a running interest in the flouring mill business at upper
town ... The style of the new firm will be Mills and Houlton."67
By 1897 the Elk River Milling Company had been incorporated and had taken over the
operation of the flour mill. Houlton served as president, Henry Castle as vice president,
W.G. Babcock as secretary, treasurer, and manager. In 1899 the mill was closed for a couple
of week to increase the capacity of the mill to 275 barrels per day and that same year made a
shipment of flour to Europe, which was the mill's largest shipment ever at that time.$ In
1901 the Elk River Flour Mill employed an average of fifteen people and its capacity had
been increased to 300 barrels of flour per day.69 On the morning of March 12, 1903, another
fire destroyed the flour mill. The loss was estimated at $30,000 with $19,000 worth of
insurance on the building and machinery.70
(S)Mill Elevator
In 1891, following the construction of a spur track from the main railroad line to the
intersection where Main Street turns east, Mills and Sons moved their grain elevator from
near the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot to the end of the spur track. The elevator was
used until the flour mill burned in 1903 and was still standing in 1905.71 By 1911 a new
elevator had been built adjacent to the new flour mill so the old elevator would not have
been needed.72
28
(6)Elk KiverMilling Company Flour Mill (See Figures 5 and 6)
A new Elk River Milling Company was incorporated in 1907 by a group of men from
Massachusetts. The officers of the company were George E. Putnam as president and
Charles H. Hartwell as secretary/treasurer. Putnam was director of the Middlesex Trust and
Safe Deposit Company in Lowell, Mass. and Hartwell was the director of the Lawrence
National Bank and trustee of the Lawrence Savings Bank in Lawrence, Mass. Members of
the Milling Company board of directors included Henry K. Webster, Gilman Harnden, and
George C. Jackman, all bankers and businessmen from Lawrence, Mass. M.L. Welch was
appointed manager of the mill.73 The new flour mill was built by W.F. Chadbourne and
completed in October 1907 at a cost of $40,000. It was sixty by sixty feet and four stories
(fifty-six feet) high. The mills capacity was 350 barrels of flour per day and 50 barrels of rye
flour per day.
The following description of the mills machinery was published in the Sherburne County
StarNewr.
"On the first or main floor of the mill the grinding, packing, weighing and
shipping will be done. Here also is the farmers' exchange, office, etc. The
machinery consists of five double stands of 9 x 30 and three double stands 9
x 24 rolls for grinding wheat; two double stands 7 x 14 rolls for grinding rye;
one 2-pair high 9 x 24 feed rolls; one 3-high roller mill for grinding
screenings; three Silver Creek flour packers and one bran packer; Fairbanks'
hopper scale, 100 bushels capacity, for weighing wheat from the cars as well
as from teams. On the second floor are four double -sieve middlings
purifiers; two No. 15 Perfection dust collectors; one shorts duster, one Prinz
milling separator, tempering bins, packet bins, etc. On the third floor are
located two 6 x 12 and one 4 x 17 center drive square sifters for bolting
wheat flour; one 1 x 10 sifter for rye flour; four 20 x 18 differential reels; one
receiving separator; two wheat scourers; one rye scourer. The fourth floor
contains five dust collectors; one 50 foot conveyor for distributing wheat to
the storage bins; also the heads of 45 elevators, which extend from the
basement up through the various floors. The entire machinery equipment
was furnished by the Nordyke and Marmon Company and is the most
modern and complete ever built by this leading mill furnishing house.i74
This mill was also powered by the Elk River with one 48 inch Victor turbine that drove
the flour mill and one 36 inch American turbine that drove the rye and feed machinery. In
November 1907 a spur track was built from the main -railroad line to the flour mill. It
separated from the main line between Proctor and Oxford Avenues and curled southwest to
the flour mill (see section on spur track).75 In 1911 the mill was employing five people.'
29
In May 1912 the Elk River Milling Company mortgage of $40,000 was foreclosed against.
The property was purchased by the Lawrence National Bank of Lawrence, Mass. The main
stockholders of the Milling Company were also the main owners of Lawrence National Bank
and so the ownership of the mill remained basically the same." A week after the mortgage
was foreclosed, the Elk River washed out the dam and undermined the foundation of the
flour mill. Dynamite was used to try and divert the water away from the mill by blasting a
passage at the west end of the dam but it did not save the mill.78 Supports were placed under
the mill but there was no power to operate the mill.79 The mill stood until October 1913
when the machinery from the mill was sold to Shane Bros. & Wilson, a milling company in
Hastings, and the building was dismantled.80
(7)1-eslie Hill Flour Mill
In 1919 Leslie Hill from Minneapolis arranged to have another flour mill built in Elk
River. The mill was built on lots owned by Nellie Hill (relationship unknown) and was also
known as the Elk River Milling Company." It stood about 350 feet north of the old County
Court House on the north side of the railroad tracks where present day Fourth Street and
Railroad Drive intersect (Grove and State Streets in 1928).12 The Elk River Machine
Company is now across the street (north) of where this mill stood.
The building, constructed by C.J. Anderson of Minneapolis, was thirty by forty feet with
three stories and a basement. It was a type of mill known as a "Flavo Midget" that took up
little space. At 60 barrels per day, the capacity of this mill was much smaller than that of the
earlier mills on the Elk River. C.R. Remer, who had previously ran a mill in Grace City,
North Dakota, was the manager of the mill.$'
A fire that was caused by "spontaneous combustion" destroyed the mill in February 1932.
The firemen ran one hose from the hydrant on Princeton Street (now Jackson Street) and
another across the railroad tracks, which forced them to flag the morning train. The
building was nearly leveled an hour after the fire was discovered but continued to smolder
for four days. By this time the mill was owned by George S. Wilson of Minneapolis and was
managed by Roland K. Wilson.84
FLOUR MILL TIMELINE
30
1851 — 1864: Ard Godfrey and John Jameson flour mill
1864 — 1868: George Albee flour mill (questionable)
1868 —1887: Mills and Houlton flour mill
1887 —1902: Mills and Sons flour mill
1907 — 1912: Elk River Milling Company flour mill
1919 — 1932: Leslie Hill flour mill
SAW AND PLANING MILLS
(2)First Sawmill
The first sawmill in Elk River was built in 1852 by Ard Godfrey and John G. Jameson
after they had built the dam and grist mill.85 The mill was powered by the Elk River and was
located about 300 feet east of the Main Street bridge." It had one sash saw with a capacity
of sawing 3,000 feet per day.87 As stated in the flour mills section, Godfrey and Jameson ran
the mills together until 1855 when they divided their property. Jameson took the farm land
east of the Elk River while Godfrey kept the mills and the land west of the river."
In 1858 Godfrey sold the mill property to Richard Martin, who then sold the property to
Edward Martin in 1863. The mills were purchased by James B. Mills in 1863 and by George
Albee, Mill's brother-in-law, in 1865.89 When Albee died in 1866, his wife Susan became the
owner of both the flour mill and the sawmill. James Mills purchased the flour mill property
at a public auction in 1868.90 In 1869, Edward P. Mills purchased his brother James's share
of the mills and Susan Albee sold her remaining mill property to William H. Houlton in
1873.91
Edward Mills and William Houlton went into business together and operated the Mills
and Houlton Flouring and Saw Mills. In 1875 they updated their sawmill to include a double
circular saw, an edger, a trimmer, and a lath and shingle machine, which increased the mills
capacity to 20,000 feet per day.92 By 1880 the Mills and Houlton sawmill had two circular
saws, employed an average of eight men, and operated fulltime four months out of the year
while being idle the other eight months.93 The sawmill was destroyed by the May 1887 fire
that also destroyed the planing and flour mills at Upper Town.
(8) Villiam Houlton Sawmills (See Figures 2, 3 and 4)
31
In 1888, Houlton built a new sawmill on the Mississippi River southwest of the Main
Street bridge.94 This was a steam -powered band -saw mill that employed thirty-five men. It
had a capacity to cut 40,000 feet per day.JS Logs were diverted off the main course of the
Mississippi River by a series of booms into a smaller branch of the river on which the mill
was located. The lumber was cut at this mill and then finished at the planing mill, located by
the dam on the Elk River. There was also a boarding house a short distance east of the mill
for the men who worked there. This mill was destroyed by fire in June 1893. 96
By March 1894 Houlton had built a new sawmillin the same location. The new mill had
the capacity to cut 40,000 feet per day but only cut about 25,000 feet per day. It employed
about twenty-five men.' For about a month in 1899, the sawmill ran two twelve-hour shifts
per day to meet the demand for lumber." The Houlton sawmill operated until 1903 when
the mill was sold to E.W. Cundy of Anoka, who sent the machinery to other mills."
(9)PlaningMills (See Figure 1)
The first planing mill in Elk River was built in 1873 by Thomas S. and W.C. Nickerson."'
It was located on the Elk River waterpower near the Mills and Houlton sawmill and at some
point the mill came into the possession of Mills and Houlton. This first planing mill was
destroyed in the May 1887 fire.101
Another planing mill was in operation by 1890 and was most likely in the same location
as the first planing mill. This mill was initially powered by the Elk River but by 1894 a steam
plant was built for additional power. Lumber that was cut at the sawmill on the Mississippi
River and was then brought to this mill for finishing touches. A vast lumber yard occupied
the area between the sawmill and the planing mill.102 The planing mill operated until 1903
when the sawmill machinery was sold and the operation shut down.103 The building was
then used as storage for a number of years by the Houlton family for the farm located near
the mill and the offices in the mill were used as a residence for a time. In March 1923 the
planing mill was destroyed by fire.104
(10)Horatio Houlton Saxmill
This mill was built by Horatio Houlton, his brother William H. Houlton, and Thomas S.
Nickerson in 1868.105 It was located along the Mississippi River just south of where
Highway 10 now crosses Main Street.'06 In 1870 this mill was operating six months out of
32
the year and had five different machines, including a circular saw, lath and shingle machines,
and a planer!" It was destroyed by fire in 1873.108 The Houlton brothers and Nickerson
built another sawmill in the same location but it soon became the sole property of Horatio
Houlton as William Houlton purchased part interest in the flour and saw mills at Upper
Town and Nickerson built a planing mill at Upper Town.10'
Unlike the Upper Town sawmill, both of H. Houlton's sawmills were steam powered."'
His second sawmill contained similar machinery as the Upper Town mill (two circular saws,
an edger, a trimmer, and a lath and shingle machine) but had a larger daily capacity at 25,000
feet of lumber, 30,000 shingles, and 20,000 laths."' This mill employed an average of ten
men but only operated f illtime three months out of the year while being idle the rest of the
year.112 The mill was likely shut down sometime in the mid 1880s when H. Houlton moved
to Duluth. A June 2, 1892 article in the Sherburne County Star News noted that Houlton was in
Elk River visiting for the first time in seven or eight years.1 ' The mill stood unused from
the mid 1880s until a fire destroyed the remains of the mill in 1894.114
TRANSPORTATION
Oxcart Trail and Military Load
Orono and Elk River were located on what was known as the Metropolitan Oxcart Trail.
This trail ran from St. Paul to Sauk Rapids, where it met the Woods Trail and the Middle
Trail. The trails originated in the Pembina region of Canada, just north of the Minnesota -
North Dakota -Manitoba border. The Metis, those of French or British and Native
American ancestry, lived in the Pembina region and used the trails to haul furs to the Twin
Cities where they could sell or trade the furs for supplies. The trails were mostly used from
the mid-1840s to the mid-1850s. The Metropolitan Trail generally followed the north shore
of the Mississippi River and crossed the Elk River in southeast quarter of section thirty-three
of Elk River.
A military road was established along generally the same path as the Metropolitan and
Woods Trails in the mid-1850s. It started in at Point Douglas, where the St. Croix River
meets the Mississippi River, and ran north to Fort Ripley, north of Little Falls. The military
road crossed the Elk River in section thirty-six of Big Lake Township and then rejoined the
33
oxcart trail on the southeast side of Elk River. Highway 10 and the railroad line now
generally follow the original paths of the military road and the Metropolitan Trail.
Ferries
The Minnesota territorial legislature granted Oliver Kelley a ferry license in 1855. The
license said the ferry would operate between what was then Cass and Benton (now Wright
and Sherburne) Counties at the head of "Kelley's Island," which is on the Mississippi River
by section 14 in the southeast corner of Elk River.'15 [Not illustrated on map].
(11) In 1856, the Benton County Commissioners granted a license to P.O. Hawes to
operate a ferry about one-half mile above the mouth of the Elk River.116 (12) In 1857 a
steamboat landing was also located section four of Elk River, near where the branch of the
river later used for the Elk River Sawmill reenters the Mississippi River."'
( 13) Horatio Houlton started a ferry across the Mississippi River in 1867, just south of
where Highway 10 and Main Street now intersect."" By 1879 the ferry was being operated
by G.E. Thomas.1" Prosper Vassar purchased this ferry in 1900 and moved it further up the
Mississippi River to straight south of lot three, block five of the original Elk River plat,
between what are now Jackson and King Avenues.12' This was referred to as the "lower
ferry." The ferry went out of business in 1906 when the bridge across the Mississippi
between Elk River and Otsego was completed.121 By 1895 there was also a ferry at Section
five of Elk River that crossed the Mississippi River to Otsego." This was known as the
"upper ferry" and operated until at least 1903.1' It was likely also out of business by 1906
because of the completion of the Elk River — Otsego Bridge. [Upper ferry not indicated on
maps].
Spur Track
In 1891, William H. Houlton had a spur track built off the main Great Northern Railroad
line to where the flour mill's elevator then stood north of where Main Street turns east after
crossing the Elk River.124 The following year Houlton had a short additional track laid that
branched off the spur track and ran on the east side of the elevator to Main Street.125 In
1899 the spur track was extended from the elevator on Main Street down to the flour mill
along the Elk River. There was speculation at this time that the spur track would be
34
extended over the Elk River to serve Houlton's sawmill located on the Mississippi River but
this apparently never happened.12'
Following the burning of the flour mill in 1903, the spur track was removed back to the
elevator. In 1906 Houlton made an agreement with Great Northern that if another mill was
built the spur track would again be extended to the mill.127 This agreement was fulfilled the
following year when the Elk River Milling Company built another flour mill where the
previous mill had stood and the spur track was again extended to the new mill.128 The track
was eventually removed after the flour mill was undermined during a flood in 1912. The
track was removed when there was no mill that needed access to the railroad so the railroad
company would not have to pay property taxes on the unused line.
OTHER HISTORIC SITES
(14)First Cabin at Upper Town
In 1848, French trader Pierre Bottineau built a trading post on what was likely lot 5 or 6
of Block 2 of the Auditor's Addition of Elk River."' Another account says that David
Faribault established a post on the Elk River in 1846. H.M. Rice and S.P. Folsom than
purchased this post and built a cabin in 1848, which Bottineau then purchased later that
year.130
(15)First Cabin at Lower Town (see Figure 7)
In 1849, Pierre Bottineau built the first building at Lower Town Elk River. It was a log
cabin situated on lot 1, block 5 of the original Elk River plat, what is now the southeast
corner of King Avenue and Main Street. The cabin was called the Elk River House and
served as a tavern. In 1850 the main part of a new hotel was built by John Q.A. Nickerson
adjacent to the log cabin and was also called the Elk River House, and later the Riverside
Hotel. The cabin was torn down in 1894 after serving as a storage shed for many years.131
(16) Ard Godfrey Store
In the early 1850s, after he had completed the dam, the flour mill, and the sawmill, Ard
Godfrey built a general store about 165 feet east of where the flour mill stood.132 It is
uncertain how long the store was open or how long the building stood. Ard Godfrey had
left Elk River by 1862 and went to Montana, where he built the first sawmill in that state.133
35
P.O. Hawes built a store at Orono in 1856 so it is possible that Godfrey's store was closed
by then.134
(I7)Orono Cooper Shop
Featherstone and Pollard, a cooper shop for manufacturing barrels, existed in Upper
Town Elk River as early as 1875.135 It was located on lots 8 and 9, block 10 of the original
Orono plat, on the south side of Main Street just west of the Main Street —York Avenue
intersection.'31 In 1880 the cooper shop was being operated as Featherstone and Company,
employing three people, and operating full time ten months out of the year.137 The barrels
made at the cooper shop were mostly used for flour by the Elk River flour mill.138 The last
reference to the cooper shop is in 1903. The burning of the flour mill and the loss of their
major client likely caused them to go out of business.139
(1 S)Elk River Starch Factory
A starch factory was started in Elk River in 1889 and was located on the south side of the
Jackson Avenue and Main Street intersection, where there is now an open lot. The factory
was incorporated by Thomas S. Nickerson, J.Q.A. Nickerson, H.O. Nickerson, W.F.
Chadbourne, J.F. Lewis, C.F. Stimson, Amos Houlton, E. Thomas, and H.H. Wheaton. The
factory used potatoes purchased from Elk River area farmers to make starch.140 The factory
manufactured its first carload of starch, about eighteen tons, in September 1889, which was
shipped to Boston.747 The factory burned down in 1898 after a fire got started in the livery
stable, which stood immediately west of the starch factory. By that time, Thomas Nickerson
had become the majority stock holder of the company and William H. Houlton had owned
the livery stable.'42
(19)Old Sherburne County Fairgrounds
The Sherburne County fair was held in Elk River on the piece of land that is bordered by
the Elk River to the west and the Mississippi River to the east, south of what is now Morton
and Norfolk Avenues. Although the first fair in Elk River was held at another location in
August 1915, the first fair at this location was held in 1916. In 1917 a pavilion was built at
this location that was 60 feet by 120 feet. Barns for hogs, cattle, and horses were also built.
The fair was held here into the 1950s when it was moved to its present location. The
36
pavilion at the old fairgrounds burned down in 1957 and the other buildings were sold
around the same time.143
Camp Co; y Recreational Area
In 1925, Andrews W. Jesperson created a 500-acre recreational area along the Elk River
and on the border of Elk River and Big Lake Township. The area included camp grounds,
picnic areas, roads, a golf course, gardens, and seven plats for homes and cottages. One of
the main attractions at Camp Cozy was a three mile canoe route that included man-made
canals, a lock and dam, and a flume which allowed canoes to pass over the Elk River and
return to the starting point. The Camp Cozy Tavern used to stand between Highway 10 and
the Elk River. It burned down in 1962. There was also a dance hall / roller rink near the
tavern that burned down in 1965.144
37
Conclusions and Recommendations
Elk River has an early industrial history of local and statewide importance. The
prehistoric archaeology of Elk River is grossly understudied, but of potentially large
significance. Because the City of Elk River has begun to consider these issues at an early
date, there is a good chance for Elk River to leverage existing heritage and potential
archaeological sites to enhance and preserve a unique community character. As the area
from Maple Grove to St. Cloud continues expansion, it is quite likely that the ability of
communities to form and maintain identities will be essential to their long-term success and
attractiveness. Because of it strong historic heritage, Elk River has an opportunity not
shared (or recognized) by other communities in this corridor.
1. The industrial heritage of Elk River, largely because it is so early, is significant at a
local and perhaps at a statewide level. This heritage is a unique aspect of Elk River
which can be used to sustain and promote community character and continuity.
2. The physical remains of the Milling District need to be more fully documented.
While the Mills are, for the most part, largely obliterated, the landscape that contained
them, especially around the exit of Lake Orono, remains sufficiently intact that the
City should consider preservation and interpretation. Of particular importance is the
preserved landscape; one cannot see the Mills anymore, but the landscape is intact
and it is very easy to visualize them.
3. The prehistory of Elk River is of great importance to understanding statewide and
even regional prehistory. Great care should be taken to locate, preserve and
investigate remaining archaeological sites. The very early historic and industrial
development of Elk River, and the large areas already urbanized, fall in areas of high
archaeological potentiality. Thus remaining areas of high potentiality should be
carefully considered.
4. The Archaeological Probability Model (Maps 5 and 6) provides a valuable tool to the
City of Elk River for planning future development as well as preservation efforts.
5. The land at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi River presents the City with a
unique undeveloped area that corresponds with sites of historic importance as well as
area of high archaeological probability. This area should be considered as a potential
W
multi -use environmental and historic preservation area that would be the envy of any
of the developing areas from Maple Grove to St. Cloud.
6. Areas along the eastern edge of Elk River Township, especially along Trott Brook
and associated lakes, contain areas of very high and high archaeological probability.
Further investigation is called for, and special care should be taken in consideration of
any subsequent development.
Additional fieldwork and documentation of archaeological and historic sites, as well as
testing of the archaeological probability model will result in further expansion and
explication of these recommendations, with more specific information about identified areas
as well as possible identification of other specific areas of concern.
39
Figures
1 '
J
—
a�
Figure 1: 1887 Flour Niill (left), Saw mill (center), Planing mill (right) (MHS HD5.5 r21)
Figure 2: First Holton Mill, c. 1890 (Cjnrvth of Sher*umo County, p. 91)
40
Figure 3: Second Houlton AIM, c. 1893 (SCHS 90.200.583)
Figure 4: 1898 Mississippi River Survey, Mill Area
41
�iw, Fzt.
Figure 5: Elk River N illing Company Flour Mill, 1907 (SCHS 90.200.511)
Figure 6: 1912 Washed-out Dam and Mill Foundations (Growth of Sherburne County, p. 257)
42
Figure 7: Bottineau's Second Cabin (right), Nickerson Hotel (left) (AMS Negative 47560)
Figure 8: Camp Cozy (Lottie Embretson)
43
Maps
Wa
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44
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45
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Map 3: 1898 Mississippi River Map
46
Elk River Township
1895 Vegetation
I.
'P4
e.
J.
1695 Vegetation
Aspen -Oak Land
Big Woods - Hardwoods
Conifer Bogs and Swamps
Lakes (open water)
Oak Openings and Barrens
Prairie
C-D-
River Bottom Forest
Wet Prairie
Current Roads
Water
It* F. J. Marschner, "The Original Vegetation
-of Minnesota, a map compiled in 1930 by
F.J. Marschner under the direction of M.L.
Heinselman of the U.S. Forest Service,'
St. Paul, MN: Cartography Laboratory
of the Department of Geography,
University of Minnesota, 1974.
Digital Data Courtesy Minnesota DNR -
Division at Forestry
J
.. .. ... ......
0 1 2 3 4 Miles
Map 4: 1859 Vegetation Map
a
N
Richard M. Rolhaus
St Cloud Stale University
02004
47
Elk River Township
General Archaeological Probability
' r
A. Probability
„s Low
Moderate
High
Very High
Map of General Archaeological
04 P4, Probability for Elk River Township.
Area
ily developed by 1993
have sbeenvdesignated low probability.
`� _.
f} _
4 r
?, [i
r �
'n1
1 ♦t !, M r W
r
Richard M. Rothaur,
i n + ? a 0' 'd. C3oud State WVSrsty
QZD04
Alap 5: Generalized Archaeological Probability Model (Eik River Township)
49
n0
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VJ n
Vi'
u
Mom:
co
o
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Map 6: Generalized Archaeological Probability Model (Milling District)
49
Elk River Township
Post A.D. 300 Archaeological. Probability
�_...
_..... _._........................................................... -----------
Probability
i •�
Low
l Moderate
r`• A High
Very High
Map of Post A.D. 300 Archaeological
.� Probability For Elk River Township.
& Areas heavily developed by 1993
have been designated low probability.
r-
1 i•
A
M
RPchaM M. RotheJJ5
t a t a ] + mm— St. Cloud S;aie University
... ...................................... 0 2OD4
l�xap 7: Post A.D. 300 Archaeological Probability Model (Elk River Township)
50
Q
Cu
0
v EL
�L
C)}
CY)0
0
_ au
L L
L.[ . 0
CM
LLI 6
Q
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0
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Map 8: Post A.D. 300 Archaeological Probability Model (Milling District)
51
Elk River
Reported Prehistoric Sites
onto
0 1 2 3 A Man
.......... - ...................... ............ ..................................... ............................ ............ .......... ... ............. ..............
Map 9: Reported Prehistoric Sites (Topographic)
52
.. ....... . . . ..................... . .......... .
Reported Sites
(1)Thompson Mounds.
An oval mound I x1 7xl Sm was reported
on a high bluff 50 feet above Rice Lake,
with an associated collection of Iftbics and
ceramics. Material may be Archaic/
Woodland,
(2)Projectile Site.
Report of projectile point found on property,
(3)Twin Lake Site -
A projectile point collection from the site was
noted.
(4)Miewer Site.
Report of one projectile point and flakes 14.
mile east of the house.
(5)Peterson Site.
Report of artifacts Y4 miles south of farmhouse
along C032. Axe or blank made of Hixton,
sandstone reported,
J. Schaff and B. Lass, "Cultural Resources.
Survey of Sherburne County,' 1981.
Sherburne County Historical Society.
-------------
N
Richard M. Rothaus
St. Claud State University.
02004
Elk River
Reported Prehistoric Sites
1 Reported Sites
(1)Thompson Mounds.
An oval mound 1x17x15m was reported
on a high bluff 50 feet above Rice Lake,
with an associated collection of lithics and
ceramics. Material may be Archaic/
Woodland.
(2)Projectile Site.
Report of projectile point found on property, '
(3)Twin Lake Site.
A projectile point collection from the site was
noted.
(4)101awer Site.
Report of one projectile point and flakes % '
mile east of the house.
(S)Peterson Site.
Report of artifacts % miles south of farmhot
along CO32. Axe or blank made of HbdGn
sandstone reported.
J, Schaff and B. Lass, "Cultural Resources:
Survey of Sherburne County,' 1981.
Sherburne County Historical Society,
4A
N
Richard M. Rothaus
St Cloud State Univem
0 2004
Map 10: Reported Prehistoric Sites (Airphoto)
53
uQi
�
m
rn
,
a
m
me_
m
GO
¢
�
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Z'
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O
C7 2
U
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IL (A m m a E a m E V u Ur c CL 'Qi
I ¢ O W 06 $
u g v C m w o cv ci a z- so n co rn m r. _
.... Z. ZZ
Map 11: Milling District Historic Sites (Topographic)
54
.lm--�
1
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/ {
\ } \
\
\ \ \ \
{ J J ! \ § ! { k \ ®
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Ma I± Mom/ District Historic Ses(Airp§oo
55
Endnotes
1 E. Johnson, Cultural Resource Survey of the Mille L.acsArea, Minneapolis: University of:Minnesota,
Unpublished Report, 1984; E. Johnson, "The 17t" Century i\Idewakanton Dakota Subsistence Mode," in
Archaeology, Ecology and Ethnohistory of the Prairie forest Border Zone of Minnesota and Manitoba, edited by J. Spector
and E. Johnson, 154-63, Lincoln: J&L Reprint Company, 1985; G. Gibbon, "Cultures of the Upper
Mississippi River Valley and Adjacent Prairies in Iowa and Minnesota," in Plains Indians A.D. 300-1500. The
Archaeological past of Historic Groups, edited by K Sclnlesier, 128-48, Norman :University of Oklahoma Press,
1994; D. Mather, Archaeological Overview of the Mille Lacs Locality, Loucks Project Report 96506-1, Minneapolis:
Loucks Associates, Unpublished Report, 2000; G. Gibbon, Guy, The Dakota and Lakota Nations, Oxford:
Blackwell Publishing, 2003.
2 The Sioux, 27-28.
3 The Sioux, 43.
4 W.H.C. Folsom, Fifty Years in the Northwest, Pioneer Press Company, 1888.
5 N.H. Winchell, et. al. History of the Upper Mississippi Valley. Minneapolis: Minnesota Historical Company,
1881, 296.
History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
7 John G. Jameson, St. Anthony, MN to Nancy Godfrey Jameson, Maine. September 1851 Letter.
Transcribed copy of letter in "Orono, MN by Jack Klein," at SCHS. Letter in possession of Mrs. Margaret
Hoeft, Nancy's great-granddaughter.
8 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
9 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 301, 307.
10 Mary Jo Allen, Heath''sAddition to Orono. Available at SCHS.
11 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 295.
lz History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297-298.
13 Elk River Historic Contexts Study, 18.
14 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 295.
15 1880 Manufacturing Census, Elk River, Minnesota.
16 1879 View of Elk River.
17 "Bank of Elk River is Pioneer Financial Institution of County," SCSN, 23 July 1931.
18 "Only National Bank in County Located at Elk River," SCSN, 28 November 1929.
19 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
20 "Fire 25 Years Ago," SCSN, 16 May 1912, 5.
21 "Disastrous Fire," SCSN, 28 April 1898, 1.
22 "Out of the Ashes," SCSN, 8 January 1903, 1.
23 "Hit by Fire," SCSN, 5 January 1911, 1.
24 "Another Big Fire Loss," SCSN, 22 April 1915, 1.
2' Growth of Sherburne County, 174, 240.
26 Growth of Sherburne County, 303.
27 "Another Big Fire Loss," SCSA; 22 April 1915, 1.
28 Growth of Sherburne County, 337.
56
29 "Flour Mill is Purchased," SCSN, 18 July 1912, 5.
30 "Electricity," SCSN, 2 July 1914, 1.
31 "Elk River's Fine New Power Plant," SCSN, 27 January 1916, 1.
32 "Water System is Dedicated," 2 September 1920, 1. See also Elk River Historic Contexts Study, 35.
33 "Open Highway November First," SCSN, 20 October 1921, 1.
34 "Yields to Death — Dr. N.K. Whittemore Succumbs Last Thursday," SCSN, 6 June 1907, 1.
35 Growth of Sherburne County, 431.
36 "Establish Clinic and Hospital," SCSN, 7 June 1923, 1.
37 "High Water in the Elk — Carries away the Mill Dam and Overflows the Country," SCSN, 24 May 1894,
5. Also mentions dam being carried away twice in 1892; Growth of Sherburne County, p. 128 for 1897; SCSN, 26
October 1899, 5; SCSN, 2 January 1908, 5; SCSN, 22 December 1910, 5; "Dam out Again," SCSN, 9 May
1912, 1.
38 One example is the Growth of Sherburne County, p. 60 for 1885.
39 Growth of Sherburne County, 164.
40 SCSN, 24 December 1875, 4.
41 "The Elk River Flour Mill," SCSN, 21 September 1899, 5.
42 "What has the Elk River Milling Company done for Elk River?" SCSN, 30 March 1911, 1.
43 "Dam Out Again," Sherburne County Star News, 9 May 1912, 1.
44 T. Jackson, Soil Survey of Sherburne County, Minnesota, USDA, n.d.
45 S. Anfinson, and H.E. Wright, "Climate Change and Culture in Prehistoric Minnesota," in The Woodland
Tradition in the Western Great Lakes, edited by G. Gibbon, Publications in Anthropology 4, Minneapolis:
University of Minnesota, 1990; J.P. Bradbury and W.E. Dean Elk Lake, Minnesota. Evidence for Rapid Climate
Change in the North-Central United States. Special Paper 276, Geological Society of America, US Geological
Survey, Denver, 1993; T. Webb III, E.J. Cushing and H.E. Wright Jr., "Holocene changes in the vegetation of
the Midwest," in Wright H.E. Jr, Late Quaternary Environments of the United States, 142-165, Minneapolis:
University of Minnesota Press, 1983; H.E. Wright H.E., "Patterns of Holocene climatic change in the
Midwestern United States," Quat. Res. 38 (1992) 129-134.
46 Steven Rohlf, personal communication.
47 F. J. Marschner, "The Original Vegetation of Minnesota, a map compiled in 1930 by F.J. Marschner
under the direction of M.L. Heinselman of the U.S. Forest Service," St. Paul, MN: Cartography Laboratory of
the Department of Geography, University of Minnesota, 1974.
48 J. Schaff, and B. Lass, "Cultural Resources Survey of Sherburne County," 1981, Sherburne County
Historical Society.
49 W. Warren, History of the Ojibway People, Vol. 5, Collections of the Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul:
Minnesota Historical Society, Reprint 1984. All other accounts of this battle are derived directly from Warren,
who is the sole source.
i0 John G. Jameson, St. Anthony to Nancy Godfrey Jameson, Maine. September 1851 Letter. Transcribed
copy of letter in "Orono, MN by Jack Klein," blue binder at SCHS. Letter belongs to Mrs. Margaret Hoeft,
Nancy's great-granddaughter.
51 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 296. ; also Benton County Book of Deeds, Book A — p.194.
52 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 296. ; also Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book B — p.394 for
Mills purchase and Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book B — p.712 for Albee purchase
73 Email from Annette Mills to Bobbie Scott, July 3, 2003.
57
54 Minnesota Ga.Zetteer and Business Directory for 1865, available at MHS, p.121.
55 Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book C — p.667.
56 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
77 1870 Federal Census, Elk River, Minnesota; "Old Times in County," SCSN, 14 September 1911, 1.
58 Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book C- p.710.
59 Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book H — p.169.
60 "The Elk River NEU — What Has Been Done the Past Season." Sherburne County Star News, 30 December
1880, 4.
61 1880 Manufacturing Census for Elk River, Sherburne County.
62 "Fire 25 Years Ago," Sherburne County Star News, 16 May 1912, 5.
63 The Growth of Sherburne County, 70.
64 "ll•Ziniature Description of Elk River," Sherburne County Star News, 28 February 1889, 5.
65 "E.P. Mills and Sons — Proprietors of the Elk River Flour Mill," Sherburne County Star News, 17 January
1889, 1; and 4 January 1894, 8.
66 "The New Flour Mill," Sherburne County Star News, 17 October 1907, 1.
67 Sherburne County Star News, 4 January 1894, 5.
68 "The Elk River Flour Mill," Sherburne County Star News, September 21, 1899, 5; Growth of Sberburne County,
146.
G9 Souvenir of Elk River, Minnesota (Minneapolis: Wall & Haines, 1901) at SCHS
70 `Another Disastrous Fire," Sherburne County Star News, 12 March 1903, 5.
71 1905 Sanborn Map, Elk River, Sherburne County.
72 1911 Sanborn Map, Elk River, Sherburne County.
73 "Flour 1\•, ill by September," Sherburne County Star News, 9 May 1907, 5.
74 "The New Flour Mill," Sherburne County Star News, 17 October 1907, 1.
75 Sherburne County Star News, 21 November 1907, 5.
76 "What has the Elk River Milling Company done for Elk River?" Sherburne County Star News, March 30,
1911, 1.
77 "Notice of Mortgage Foreclosure Sale," Sherburne County StarNews, 25 April 1912, 10; "Dam Out Again,"
Sherburne County Star News, 9 May 1912, 1.
78 "Dam Out Again," Sherburne Couno Star News, 9 May 1912, 1.
79 "Mill is Still Standing," Sherburne County Star News, 16 May 1912, 1.
80 "Dismantle the Flour Mill," Sherburne County Star News, 2 October 1913, 1.
81 "Work on 1\•lill Delayed," Sherburne County Star News. 10 July 1919, 1.
82 1928 Sanborn Map of Elk River.
83 "New Flour 1\7ill Near Completion," Sherburne Coun_0 Star News, 7 August 1919, 1.
84 "Fire Destroys Local Feed Mill," SCSN, 11 February 1932, 1.
85 John G. Jameson, St. Anthony to Nancy Godfrey Jameson, Maine. September 1851 Letter. Transcribed
copy of letter in "Orono, MN by Jack Klein," blue binder at SCHS. Letter belongs to Mrs. Margaret Hoeft,
Nancy's great-granddaughter.
58
86 Jack Klein, History of the Sawmill at Orono (Elk River) Minnesota, available at Sherburne County Historical
Society.
87 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
88 History of the Upper
Mississippi Valley, 296. ; also Benton County Book of Deeds, Book A — p.194.
$9 HPStoYy Of the Upper Mississi Valley, 296. ; also Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book B — p.394 for
Mills purchase and Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book B — p.712 for Albee purchase
90 Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book C — p.667.
91 Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book C- p.710 for Mills; Sherburne County Book of Deeds, Book H
— p.169 for Houlton.
92 History of the Upper
Mississippi Valley, 297.
93 1880 Manufacturing Census for Elk River, Sherburne County.
94 W.H.C. Folsom, Fifty Years in the Northwest, Pioneer Press Company, 1888.
97 "Elk River Saw Mill," SCSN, 18 September 1890, 5.
96 "In Ashes — The Saw Mill at Elk River Completely Destroyed by Fire Sunday Afternoon," SCSN, 15
June 1893, 5; also see 1894 Sanborn Map of Elk River.
97 SCSN, 26 April 1894, 5.
98 SCSN, 25 May 1899, 5; SCSN, 8 June 1899, 6; SCSN, 29 June 1899, 5.
99 SCSN, 5 March 1903, 5.
100 History of the Upper Mississi Vally, 297.
101 SCSN, 16 May 1912, 5.
102 "Memories of Other Days in Elk River — The Houlton Sawmill," SCSN, 15 June 1933; 1894 Sanborn
Map of Elk River.
103 SCSN, 5 March 1903, 5.
104 `Blaze Destroys Old Planing Mill," SCSN, 8 March 1923, 1.
105 History of the Upper
Mississippi Vally, 297.
106 1879 View of Elk River Map at Sherburne County Historical Society.
107 1870 Federal Census, Elk River, Minnesota.
108 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
109 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
110 1880 Manufacturing Census for Elk River, Sherburne County.
111 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
112 1880 Manufacturing Census for Elk River, Sherburne County.
113 SCSN, 2 June 1892, 5.
114 SCSN, 6 September 1894, 5.
115 "Session Laws of the Territory of Minnesota," Minnesota Legislative Assembly. Hotchkiss, Staples &
Jones, Territorial Printers: Minneapolis, MN, 1855. 123-124.
116 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
117 1857 Map of Orono, available at Sherburne County Historical Society.
119 History of the Upper Mississippi Valley, 297.
59
119 1879 View of Elk River, Sherburne County.
120 1903 Plat Map of Elk River, Sherburne County.
121 SCSN, 15 February 1906, 1.
122 SCSN, 25 April 1895.
123 1903 Plat 1\.1ap of Elk River, Sherburne County.
124 SCSN, 25 June 1891, 5.
125 John Oliver 1986 Spur track Blueprint, Note #3.
126 SCSN, 6 April 1899, 5.
127 John Oliver 1986 Spur track Blueprint, Note #4, Note #6,
128 SCSN, 21 November 1907, 5.
129 History of the Uj2j2erMississip�ii Talley, 297.
130 Fifty Years in the Northwest., W.H.C. Folsom, Pioneer Press Company, 1888.
131 SCSN, 13 December 1894, 5; also see 1894 Sanborn Map, Elk River.
132 History of the UpperMississippi Talley, 297.
133 Helen McCann White, Ho! For the Gold Fields, St. Paul, 1966, 34.
134 History of the Upper Mississi Valley, 297.
135 Growth of Sherburne County, 6.
136 1894 Sanborn Map, Elk River.
137 1880 Manufacturing Census, Elk River, Sherburne County.
138 "Memories of Other Days in Elk River — Orono Cooper Shop," SCSN, 18 May 1933, 1.
139 1903 Plat Map of Elk River is last reference to Orono Cooper Shop.
140 "The Starch Factory — Company Incorporated and Officers Elected," SCSN, 11 April 1889.
141 SCSN, 26 September 1889, 5.
lag "A Holocaust of Horses — Starch Factory and Livery Stable Burned," SCSN, 2 June 1898, 1.
143 Ella Kringlund, "History of the Sherburne County Fair," 1978, available at Sherburne County Historical
Society; also "Early History of the Fair," SCSN, 22 September, 1921, 1.
144 Information provided by John Oliver.
60