Map of the General Government Roads in the Territory of Minnesota

One of the first ever ‘road maps’ of Minnesota.

The earliest routes accessing the land that would ultimately become the Minnesota Territory were made by Native Americans and wild animals. These various trails were further developed by French, and eventually British, fur traders along the upper reaches of the Mississippi River. The development of local military installations, notably Fort St. Anthony, further additional development and federal investment in the road system of the region.

This map shows the network of government roads as of 1854, four years prior to Minnesota statehood. The routes largely follow the navigable rivers of the Mississippi and Kettle Rivers, and include a portion of the Portage Trail near Fond du Lac. Settlements, Native American agencies, fortifications, and geographic features are noted throughout. The lower left includes a table outlining each route and its respective construction progress.

The map was drafted by James Henry Simpson and reproduced by J.S. Sewell. Lithography by Wagner & McGuigan of Philadelphia. Published to accompany the Senate Congressional Report to the Bureau of Topographic Engineers in September of 1854.

Source.