The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1858-03-27
The Topography OF the Country be-
tween 81. Cloud and the Red River
of the North.

tween 81. cloud aud the Red River
Of the North.
To the Editors Of the Minnesotian.
As little is known respecting that portion
of country which lies be'sceen 81. Cloud and
tie Red Rirsr Of the North, think that de-
scripton of it would not be unacceptable to
your readers.
1t was with the intention of visiting that
part of the country aforesaid, that one day
found myself in s.. Cloud all ready for the
trip.
The first town, at which you arrive, on
leaving ST. Cloud, is s.. Joseph, generally alb
breyiated TO 'St. Jo." This town is on a
beautiful and level prairie, on Sank River; it
contains eight or ten houses, two stores, one
blacksmith shop, school house, and a very
high cross bearing German, or some other
foreign inscription. The inhabitants are
chiefly Germans, and indeed, the same NAV
said of nearly all the settlements west of St.
Cloud.
The next place, on leaving "St. Jo," is
Cold Spring; here are two houses, one saw
mill, and 'Restaurant.n
The next town is Richmond; ii is beauti-
fully situated on Sank River, twenty-five
miles from St. Cloud. l arrived here in the
latter part of the day and was warmly greet
ed by Mr.. Richardson who welcomed me to
partake Of his hospitality.
There are, as yet, but few improvements
here, but have no doubt, that with the in
dustry and enterprise of Mr.. Richardson, it
will soon be flourishing village.
From Richmond to Lake Henry, distance
OF fifteen miles, there is nothing but vast
prairie; the side next to Richmond is quite
level, but as you approach Lake Henry, it
becomes more rolling. Lake Henry is more
mud-hole than anything else; it is about
half mile long, and twenty rods wide, and
Is SO grown up with grass that it is hard to
tell whether there is any water in it or not.
There is body of timber on the east side of
the Lake, of about three hundred acres, con-
sisting mostly Of oak, elm, and Eastwood.
The only settlers here are couple of Dutch
men, one of whom has his family-they also
have town site here, but have forgotten
the name of it.
The prairie, from Lake Henry to Lake
GEORGE, distance of six miles, is quite level,
with but few boys or marshes. Lake George
Is about one and half miles long, and
quarter Of mile wide /; its character is
nearly the same as Lake Henry, being
marShy all around the edges. There is nearly
section of timber on the north side of the
Lake, which has been ''taken up" by four or
five Dutchmen who are living there.
Nine miles from Lake George the trail
crosses the North Fork of Crow RiUer, which
is about five feet wide and one foot Deep
Eight miles further, we come to G,oce
Lax, the source of the North Fork of Crow
River; it is surrounded by large body of
timber, excepting the southwest end, where
tie prairie runs to the Lake There is town
site here, called Grore Lake City; it has a log
hut on it, and is owned by Thomas A.
Holmes & Co.
forgot to mention that at Lake George
there is a town site, with no house on it,
called Tacoma; it is owned by St. Anthony
men.
Twelve miles west Of northwest Of Grove
Lake, is White Bear Lake. This Lake, in
shape resembles bear sitting on his launches,
from which L suppose it derives its NAME
1t is ten miles long and about three miles
wide at the big end, and one mile at the small
end.
Here is the westernmost point of the Gov
eminent Survey; the range line between
ranges thirty-eight and thirty-nine crossing
the small end Of the Lake. The Lake, with
the exception Of little of the lower end,
lies in township one hundred and twenty-five
north Of range thirty-eight west it is about
two hundred feet below the level of the sur
rounding country; the north side is very
rough and broken, but the south is beautiful
and level prairie; there is about section of
timber on the East end, and another on the
north side, and the whole country around is
scattered over with small grores Of timber
mostly oak.
White Bear Lake is surrounded with fine
sandy beach, and is actually the most beau.
tiful Lake in Minnesota. l do not say this
for my own interest, for l have no interest
there at all, but from my own convictions of
fact. 1t has been acknowledged by every
one who has seen it, to be the handsomest
Lake they ever saw; the view from the bluffs
on the north side is very picturesque and en-
chanting. There is the Lake; its broad ex-
panse stretching away as far as the eye can
reach; whilst the country on the south side,
for about mie, slopes gracefully down to
the waters edge; and on your right, are the
hills and bluffs, diversified now and then with
groves of timber, which lend enchantment
10 the view!
The country, for some distance North of
White Bear, is not suitable for farming pur-
poses pelng TOO rough ana broken, but on
the south side, and at the east and west ends,
the land is as good as can be found in Mime
sofa.
six miles north Of White Bear, in Township
I26 north of range 39 west, is Lake Reno.
This Lake is surrounded by beautiful coun-
try, and has fine sandy beach it is about
four miles long and one broad On the North
side, is body of splendid sugar maple timber,
and there are number of groves Of good
timber within short distance of the Lake ;
making fine chances for excellent claims.
There is town site on the south side of
the Lake, with a log shanty on it !; it is called
Reno, and is owned mostly by st. Anthony
men.
There is also town site on White Bear