The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1856-12-27
From the Superior Chronicle
The North shore Of Lake Superior.

The vast section of country lying on and
back from the northern shore of Lake Su-
perior, within the territorial limits of Min
nesota, is but little understood, and but lit
tie appreciated. An extent of area. large
enough to cons itute a state Of respectable
size, is popularity supposed to he a barren,
broken, desolate region, utterly useless for
agricultural purposes, and Of no worth for
anything except its mineral deposits along
the shores of the lake.
| A visit to that section and n!Urma ton
gained thereby, has convinced us Of the cr-
ror of this suppostion. instead Of being a
worthless country, OF fit only for the prose
cution of single pursuit, We arc satisfied
that this section is in all respects among the
most desirable within our limits. Directly
along the shore, the country rises so gradu-
ally that person walking back from the
lake can travel miles without being aware Of
the ascent. This is the case at almost every
point from Superior to Grand Portage river,
which forms the boundary between our coun-
try and Grcqt Britain. The slope Of coun-
| try gives a southern exposure, and yegeta-
tation quickens and natures with great "a
pidity. The soil is almost universally OF
good character, and capable Of growing ali
| the various grains and roots which belong t.
the temperate zone. 1t will be especially
| favorable for the growth of wheat We saw
specimens of winter wheat on this north
shore, which would have taken premium
at any agricultural fair, even in the great
whcat-growing region of the GeEcsscc Val
ley Of Western New York. We saw gar
dens there which were filed with ali tie ne
cessaries and many dccacies Of tic table.
Undoubtedly, however, the greatest attrac
ton of the country is its mineral wealth.
This exceeds, according 10 the testimony OF
experienced mineral explorers, that of the
south shore of the lake, which has become
world-famous COPPER is lound there in the
greatest abundance. and of the lest quality
and the fact that it possesses, in addition to
mineral wealth, agricultural capacity in the
highest degree, must mike il Il very popu-
lous as well as a wealthy section.
! The establishment OF Il land district, the
survey of lands, and the opportunity which
will soon be given to acquire titles to the
property in that section, will insure its inl-
mediate development.
So splendid a country cannot long remain
unimproved. The rush of emigration thi-
ther during the past summer, in antcipa-
ton Of the government survey, though large
is only the faint be.inning Next season t e
hundreds which have gone there the present
year, will be followed by thousands. Claims
have been already taken up for sixty or sew
enty miles from Superb r, and towns are
Springing up to meet the wants of the set
tiers. Those of the greatest promise are
Buchanan and Beaver Bay.
| Buchanan is located about twenty-five
miles cast of Superior on Carp river bay.
and has lately been designated bv the Presi-
dent as the site of the land office for the
northeastern land district Its location is
beautiful and it has the advantage of being
in the very centre of the richest mineral por-
ton of the north shore. There is little
question but that it will rise at once into a
point of considerable Importance.
Beaver Bay is situated about sixty miles
from Superior, on the best natural harbor
between the head of the Lake and Grand
Marias. 1t is backed by valley equallng
in extent, beauty, and fertility of soil, the
La Crosse valley, which enjoys high west
ern celebrity. A colony of Germans, from
Ohio, numbering some fifteen families, were
settled there at the date of our visit. Addl-
tons to the number of forty families were
anticipated before the close Of the season,
and still further ones next spring, which
would increase the total population to two
hundred families. We shall BIZ greatly sur
prised if Beaver Bay fails in becoming place
of great commercial consequence. 1t has ev
cry element and advantage to make it a first
class town.
The country on the north shore is worthy
of more attention than has hitherto been be-
slowed upon it by our people. A few years
will render it one of our most important Sec
tons, as it is now one OF the most interest
ling.-PioneeT and Democrat.
We fully endorse all onr cotemporary has