An Historical Study of the Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota

Woolworth, Alan

Grand Portage National Monument lies on the rugged north shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minne.ota. It has a partially reconstructed late 18th century fur trade depot; an 8 1/4 mile long portage; and Tort Charlocte, an advanced depot on the Pigeon River. The monument preserves unique historioal values of the fur trade era, the exploration of northwestern North America, and the American Indian~ The Grand Portage Trail ia the major hi.torte feature of the monu~n~. Originating in prehistoric times. it became the gateway to the northwest for the French and British fur trade of the 17th and 18th centuries. Voyageurs carried packs of trade goods up the long portage to the pigeon River and returned with bales of fura. This report focuses on the phy&ical and ecological aspects of the portage; lts hietory and uses in the late 18th century and makes recommendations for aroheological etudise of Bome ot its poses or resting places. ~his information provides the basic facta for the preparation of a Trail Mar.agement Plan. Selected posee can serve as on site interpretation points to tell the story of the portage and the men who used it. Future research is needed to gu~de archeological inves~i9ations~ historic preserv&tion. and interpretation of this cent'.J.ries old. porta.ge.