September 8, 2011: Snelling Lake/Fort Snelling State Park (Minneapolis)

April 21, 2011: Snelling Lake/Fort Snelling State Park (Minneapolis)

Join the group for a hike around Snelling Lake in Fort Snelling State Park in Minneapolis. The naming of "Fort Snelling" was preceded by several other names. In 1819, Col. Henry Leavenworth and his troops spent the first three winters in a cantonment or barracks of log houses on the southeastern or Dakota County side of the Minnesota River, about a third of a mile southeast from the site of the fort. "St. Peter's Cantonment" took its name from the French and English name of the river and was also called "New Hope." At the time of high water of the river in the spring, they moved to an upland prairie camping place, about a mile northwest from the fort site. Copious springs of clear and cool water issue on the face of the river bluff below that second campground, which was mostly of tents, named "Camp Coldwater." After three years of alternation in cabin and tent life at New Hope and Camp Coldwater, the troops moved into their barracks within the enclosure of the fort, in the late autumn of 1822. Its cornerstone was laid in 1820, soon after Colonel Josiah Snelling succeeded Leavenworth in the command, and its construction was well completed in 1824, when General Winfield Scott visited it on a tour of inspection of western army posts. Up to that time and until the beginning of 1825, it was called "Fort St. Anthony," alluding to the neighboring Falls of St. Anthony.

If traveling by automobile: From the West: Take Hwy 62/Crosstown Highway east to Highway 55, then proceed south on Highway 55, towards the Mendota Bridge, to the "Fort Snelling Historic Sites" exit (between the V. A. Hospital and the Mendota Bridge). Follow the signs to the Fort Snelling Historic Sites and park in the Minnesota Historical Society Fort Snelling Interpretive Center parking lot. Meet at the river overlook near the interpretive center.

From the East: Head west across the Fort Road/West Seventh Street/Highway 5 bridge from St. Paul's Highland Park area and take the Highway 55 exit and proceed north on Highway 55. Take the "Fort Snelling Historic Sites" exit and follow the signs to the Minnesota Historical Society Fort Snelling Interpretive Center parking lot, park in the lot, and meet at the river overlook near the interpretive center. Note: The Fort Snelling Historic Society is different from the Fort Snelling State Park entrance, which is off of the Post Road exit from Highway 5 near the airport.

If traveling by public transit:Take Metro Transit route(s): 4; 7; 9; 15; 54; or 442. The closest bus service point appears to be the Whipple Federal Office Building just west and slightly north of the Fort Snelling Interpretative Center . Applicable Metro Transit Map