Itasca State Park

By: Ann WielenbergItasca State ParkHistoryEstablished in 1891It is the oldest park in MinnesotaThere is evidence that people lived in Itasca over 8,000 years agoThey hunted, trapped, harvested wild rice and buried their dead in mounds located adjacent to the headwaters.

History continuedThe headwaters were discovered by the Europeans more than 300 years before the park was established.Henry Rowe Schoolcraft claimed the discovery of the headwaters.In the late 1800s the park was endanger of deforestionJacob Brower then began his battle to establish the park.Brower became the first superintendent of the parkHe then devoted the last 14 years of his life acquiring land for the park.

History continued Development of the park began in 1905 with the construction of the Douglas Lodge the first rustic style building.Over the next 20 years 12 more rustic style lodges were added.

Mississippi Headwaters DamnIt is a 44 foot long outlet damnIts located at the North end of Lake ItascaIt is made of concrete, rocks and boulders that are pressed into the concreteThe rocks and boulders were weathered and darkened to make it appear natural.

ITASCA STATE PARKThe park has 32,000 acres157 lakes covering 3,000 acres27,500 acres of upland1,500 acres of swamp The upland is mostly covered with heavy timber, witch includes the Virgin Red and the Norway Pine Some of the trees are over 200 years old

ITASCA STATE PARKLake Itasca is the official source of the Mississippi RiverAt Itasca State Park, the mighty Mississippi River begins its 2,552-mile journey to the Gulf of Mexico. Established in 1891 to preserve remnant stands of virgin pine and to protect the basin around the Mississippi's source, this park has become a famous natural and cultural landmark in North America.

ReferencesMinnesota Historical society (2011) retrieved March 3, 20011 from http://www.mnhs.org/places/nationalregister/stateparks/Itasca.htmlMinnesota Department of Natural Resources (2011) retrieved March 3, 2011 from http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/state_parks/itasca/narrative.html