A light rain shower greeted the Walking Lake Pepin (WLP) group in Old Frontenac on Wednesday night July 1. The walkers stood under the elevated van hatch to stay dry as Jim Schreck gave the group some new information about the woman who helped settle Old Frontenac.
One of the more interesting facts concerns the mixed-race sisters of the Santee Dakota Mdewakanton tribe, Jane Wells and Mary Elizabeth Faribault.
Each sister received ownership of land from the Half Breed Tract which was established by the 1830 Treaty of Prairie du Chien which set aside 320,00 acres of land west of Lake Pepin. Each sister and their children received 400 acres of the half breed tract.
Jane married James Wells an early settler who established the first trading post in 1837. The Wells family moves to Faribault, selling their home and trading post in 1854 to Evert Westervelt
Evert Westervelt, a partner of Israel Garrard, who were the leaders in developing the Frontenac area, builds the Locust Lodge in 1861 on the Wells property.
Current renovation to the Locust Lodge was noted as the WLP group walked by. Also under renovation is the Dakota Cottage that was owned and occupied by Lewis Garrard from 1862-1870. It was gratifying to see these historic homes being restored.
The group walked along Garrard Avenue taking in the splendor the original homes that were built here in the late 18th century; St. Hubert Lodge and the Winona Cottage built by Israel Garrard. Both homes are in great shape and still speak to the era they were built in.
Wednesday July 8 the WLP group walk explored the historic sites of Center and Oak Streets with Anne Tabot as their guide.
On July 15 the WLP group will carpool to Red Wing and visit Memorial Park that offers a bluff view of Red Wing, Mn and the Mississippi River Valley. The WLP walkers will meet at 6:30 at the Ohuta Beach Parking lot to carpool to Red Wing. All are welcome. Updates regarding weather can be found on the Walking Lake Pepin Facebook page.
Photo: Decotah Cottage
One of the more interesting facts concerns the mixed-race sisters of the Santee Dakota Mdewakanton tribe, Jane Wells and Mary Elizabeth Faribault.
Each sister received ownership of land from the Half Breed Tract which was established by the 1830 Treaty of Prairie du Chien which set aside 320,00 acres of land west of Lake Pepin. Each sister and their children received 400 acres of the half breed tract.
Jane married James Wells an early settler who established the first trading post in 1837. The Wells family moves to Faribault, selling their home and trading post in 1854 to Evert Westervelt
Evert Westervelt, a partner of Israel Garrard, who were the leaders in developing the Frontenac area, builds the Locust Lodge in 1861 on the Wells property.
Current renovation to the Locust Lodge was noted as the WLP group walked by. Also under renovation is the Dakota Cottage that was owned and occupied by Lewis Garrard from 1862-1870. It was gratifying to see these historic homes being restored.
The group walked along Garrard Avenue taking in the splendor the original homes that were built here in the late 18th century; St. Hubert Lodge and the Winona Cottage built by Israel Garrard. Both homes are in great shape and still speak to the era they were built in.
Wednesday July 8 the WLP group walk explored the historic sites of Center and Oak Streets with Anne Tabot as their guide.
On July 15 the WLP group will carpool to Red Wing and visit Memorial Park that offers a bluff view of Red Wing, Mn and the Mississippi River Valley. The WLP walkers will meet at 6:30 at the Ohuta Beach Parking lot to carpool to Red Wing. All are welcome. Updates regarding weather can be found on the Walking Lake Pepin Facebook page.
Photo: Decotah Cottage
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