The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1855-08-04
Poe the Minnesotie,
St. Leui. House. IIennepin County. :.

sga st. Lcuts House. Hennepin County. qfr IL
Many ofthose who are travellers to this Ter-
ritory for heallh-which they are sure to fnd-7
OF IN, search Of the speculations of wealth,
Which, 1t is said. not few have also found,
VIII remember that pleasant SPOT on the bank
VI tne Mlssissippl, about one mile above Fort
Sneiiing. "here the Saint Louis, House,
stands. But perhaps few Of those who enioy
the hospitables Of that quiet and eomfortabls
Hotel or drink of the delicious waters which
flow forth-within few yards pitts doors. from
one Of the grandest fountains in the northwest,
know, or learn correctly, the early history and
associations connected with the place. During
a short scjourn we procured the following
notes on the subject, believing that others
might be induced to feel with US, that apart
from the natural beauties which surround this
locali y, and the favorable advantages Of its
position, it requires but to be known to be full
ly appreciated. f. t., 81
1t has historical recollcctions. Formerly it
was called Camp cold-water' This was
when Col. Smelling removed his troops from
their unhealthy cantonment on the alluvial fat
near where Gamell's ferry is now established
at the mouth of the Minnesota. The remains
of their temporary chimneys are yet to be seen,
although they were rudely aud hastily con-
structed before Fort Smelling was commenced.
At the cantonment the soldiers suffered, aud
numbers of them died, but after their arrival
at Camp cold water" favorable change took
place. s,. ...., .-.
1t afterwards became trading post of very
considerable Importance, under the guidance
of Mr.. Benjamin F. Baker, Virginian. This
gentleman had come early to the northwest,
had rambled and wandered and " talked" with
the Chippewas beyond the sounds of the Mis-
sissippi before he settled ut Camp cold water.
and became for time successful rival of the
then American Fur Co, whose principal depot
was at New Hope, now known as Mendoza.
These were the palmy times of the Fur trade,
and the few now living look back upon them
as the brightest of their early days in Mime
sofa. ..-. -..,-.,... ..,-.f r r.. ---.
The front, or stone part Of the Saint Louis
House was built in 1887, and inhabited by Mr.
Baker as private residence in 1888. 1t was
among the first substantial dwellings erected
in the Territory, The only other stone build
ings outside Of the garrison were the Indian
Agency houses, and two or three others at
New Hope. -.o.
AS residence for families or for transient
bachelors in search Of the picturesque, and the
quietly comfortable, we know Of no place We
can recommend in preference to the Saint
Louis House, within sight of Fort Smelling,
and other points of interest to the tourist it is
bat miles from st. Anthony and Minneapolis.
The Little Falls is in the immediate neighbor-
hood, while the. lakes Calhoun, Harriet, Lake
pf the Isles and innumerable other places Of
resort are but a few miles distant, and all these
iavorite spots can be reached over the best Of
roads. z-e. Esrl
/ To the sojourner, whether weak in body.
gloomy in mind, or depressed by any Of the
Thousand ills to which flesh is heir to, we re-
commend the Saint Louis House as q quiet
home and calm retreat. while to those who
desire the invigorating influences of rural ex.
ercise. with the sports Of fishing and hunting.
we can equally and even more heartily recon.
mend it as a place from where they can sally
forth to the qualification of their .tasts and fa-
vorite. and return with renewed zest TO the
quiet enjoyment of a comfortable "homa" con-
Quoted by an obliging and gentlemanly land
lorG. 49,. -.s5,-r t- TIER.