Grand Portage and High Falls – MN

High & Mid FallsGit-che O-ni-ga-ming – In the early history of our continent, negotiating the area between Lake Superior and the Pigeon River was impossible with the many rapids, cascades, gorges and waterfalls. The American Indians inhabiting the region were determined to find a way around these obstacles. Their ingenuity prevailed and a nine mile trek was established – Git-che O-ni-ga-ming. An Ojibway word meaning “a great carrying place”. This place is a nine mile “highway” connecting Lake Superior to the Pigeon River.

Grand Portage – The French explorers and Voyageurs (travelers) began using this “highway” giving it the name Grand Portage. The French established posts on both Lake Superior (North West Company) and the Pigeon River (Fort Charlotte) using the Grand Portage for easier travel. This passage greatly influenced fur trade in the area.

Voyageur

Voyageur

Grand Portage National Monument – Our first stop was the Grand Portage National Monument where the North West Company’s headquarters on Lake Superior has been re-created. Today it is a beautiful and tranquil setting. Yet we could imagine what it was like with boats arriving carrying provisions and voyageurs with fur pelts arriving from the west.

Buildings on the post

Buildings on the post

Rendezvous – The post was comprised of sixteen buildings including a business office, warehouse, food storage building, and living quarters. Once a year the post had a Rendezvous where the voyageurs arrived as well as the boats.  “In 1793, its best year, 182,000 pelts came through Grand Portage.” Understand trading only took place a few weeks per year. In 1803 the post was abandoned and the company moved its operation to Canada.

Great Hall

Great Hall

High Falls – After our visit to the Grand Portage National Monument we visited High Falls. Watching the water cascade 120 feet crashing over the rocks and making its way to the rapids beneath, we realized how important the Grand Portage was to both the native people and the voyageurs.

High Falls

High Falls

The natural beauty of this area is everywhere. Even a short ride would produce vistas and urges to stop and just take in the magnificence of the presence.

Calm back waters

Calm back waters

Falls

Falls

Serene Lake Superior

Serene Lake Superior

Long way to the water

Long way to the water

Yellow Mushrooms

Yellow Mushrooms

Flowers along the trail

Flowers along the trail

Native American home

Native American home

Wow - what a collection

Wow – what a collection

Outdoor cooking

Outdoor cooking

ready for feasting

ready for feasting

Clerk's office

Clerk’s office

Bill of laden

Bill of Lading

Birch bark canoe

Birch bark canoe

Birch bark drying

Birch bark drying

Voyageur carrying his load over the Grand Portage

Voyageur carrying his load over the Grand Portage

Goods transported in one canoe

Goods transported in one canoe

Imagine the canoes arriving

Imagine the canoes arriving

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