Established in 1891, Itasca is Minnesota's oldest state park. That’s the latest question for Curious Minnesota, our community-driven reporting project that invites readers into the newsroom to ask questions they want answered. Most of the area has a heavy growth of timber that includes virgin red pine, which is also Minnesota's state tree. As word spread, the conflicting claims required new scientific verifications. Curious Minnesota is a community-driven project that puts readers' inquiries at the center of our reporting. Omissions? Twitter; Facebook; Pinterest; Google Classroom; Email; Print; Credits Media Credits. That could have been the end of the story, but in 1881, Willard Glazier, a self-promoting traveler, claimed Glazier Lake as the river’s source. Rome2rio makes travelling from Chicago to Lake Itasca easy. Despite its detractors, Lake Itasca has become culturally recognized as the Mississippi’s source by tourists, mapmakers and Minnesota natives like Murzyn. His claim of Lake Itasca as the source was disputed until 1888, when Jacob Brower was sent by the Minnesota Historical Society to survey the lake. Giacomo Beltrami claimed to have discovered the headwaters in 1823. Murzyn remembers learning early on that this small stream fed the mighty Mississippi River that rushed near his elementary school in northeast Minneapolis. Wendell Duffield, a geologist and native Minnesotan, argues that the Minnesota River should be considered an alternative source. Henry Schoolcraft identified Lake Itasca as the river's primary source in 1832. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It is Minnesota’s first state park, and one of the oldest in the country. What percentage of Minnesotans spend their entire lives here? All. Like Schoolcraft, he concluded the outlet at Lake Itasca was the only one with a surface flow and volume … The 32,000-acre park is the state’s most developed park yet also one of its most pristine. As a child, Edward Murzyn remembers piling into his family’s car to head Up North nearly every summer. Write a review. As the source of the Mississippi river, Lake Itasca's drainage basin is considered a subwatershed of the entire Mississippi River basin. Brower discounted Itasca tributaries as the source because they disappeared during droughts, while Itasca had a continual flow. Rome2rio is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. From the lake’s surface, which is 1,475 feet Along the lakeshore in town stand the iconic statues of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe, the Blue Ox. If you'd like to submit a Curious Minnesota question, fill out the form below: How much are electric vehicles affected by Minnesota's extreme cold? Douglas Lodge Restaurant (86) 3.1 mi $$ - $$$ American. “One is a cultural story. It was identified in 1832 as the source of the Mississippi River. “There is something that just brings out the youthful joy and excitement of adventure and discovery,” Cox said about the headwaters. Updates? During the late 1700s and early 1800s, explorers identified a range of Minnesota lakes as potential sources, but it wasn’t until Ozaawindib, a prominent Ojibwe, led explorer Henry Schoolcraft to Lake Itasca in 1832 that Americans began calling it the Mississippi’s source. This is an account by Henry Rowe Schoolcraft (1793-1864) of his discovery of the Mississippi River's source, Lake Itasca, in 1832. Reviews. Why isn't Isle Royale a part of Minnesota? Legal. It flows northwards from the lake. Schoolcraft is generally credited with having coined the name Itasca from the Latin words veritas (“truth”) and caput (“head”). Walk across the mighty Mississippi as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. It was an international and political question,” said Patrick Coleman, an acquisitions librarian at the Minnesota Historical Society. “There’s two parts to the answer,” said Connie Cox, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State Park. It was explorer and ethnologist Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, however, who proposed Lake Itasca as the true source of the Mississippi in 1832. During their visits, Murzyn and his brother would race back and forth across the rocks that span the stream that flows out of the lake. The channel of the Mississippi leaving the lake was engineered in the 1930s to make the tourist experience more exciting. Find all the transport options for your trip from Chicago to Lake Itasca right here. Why can't Minnesotans figure out how to zipper merge? Emma Dill is a University of Minnesota student on assignment for the Star Tribune. The primary source and start of the Mississippi River are Lake Itasca. Lake Itasca is located in the southeastern region of the Clearwater County in north-central Minnesota. Rainfall that occurs here eventually, over a period of three months, winds its way down the river to the Gulf of Mexico on a lazy but impressive 2,320 mile (3,730 kilometer) journey. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. The name “Itasca” is a combination of the Latin words “veritas” (truth) and “caput” (head). Lake Itasca Lake Itasca Photograph: Rocks partly dam a small river on a lake. Still is up to dispute, but in general, Lake Itasca counts as the rivers’s source. The lake, of glacial origin, covers an area of 1.7 square miles (4.4 square km) and has a maximum depth of 40 feet (12 metres). Lake Itasca is a small glacial lake, approximately 1.8 square miles (4.7 km 2) in area, notable for being the headwaters of the Mississippi River.The lake is located in southeastern Clearwater County, in the Headwaters area of north central Minnesota.The lake is within Itasca State Park and it has an average depth of 20–35 feet (6–11 m), and is 1,475 ft (450 m) above sea level. 1 Restaurant within 5 miles. Itasca State Park, Lake Itasca: Hours, Address, Itasca State Park Reviews: 5/5. By following the Minnesota River, Duffield has traced the source of the Mississippi to the northeast corner of South Dakota. Founded in 1985 by Captain Thomas K. Coborn and Mickey Coborn, Lake Itasca Tours has made over 8,000 Naturalist Narrated boat tours to the Headwaters of the Great Mississippi River. The Mississippi River is protected from its headwaters at Lake Itasca in Clearwater County, to the southern boundary of Morrison County, near Little Falls. While some argue a river’s source should be traced to its longest tributary, others trace it to the stream that contributes the most water. French explorer Joseph Nicollet surveyed the area in 1836 and confirmed Schoolcraft’s claim. How did Nicollet Island become parkland with private housing on it? Best nearby. Traveler rating. The process, which included draining of the swampy area surrounding the source, was done by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Lake Itasca is a glacial lake which approximately measures 4.7 km 2. Visitors also enjoy wading across the shallow 18-inch deep water, crossing from the east side to the west side, where a rock dam indicates the end of Lake Itasca and the beginning of this mighty river. Will review what you ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article ” Cox said about headwaters. If you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) the Indians, Lac Biche. Skyways first created to combat the cold – or something else created to combat the cold – or something?! And the water here flows out through the entire drainage system of the Mississippi North into Minnesota search... The southeastern region of the River leaves the Lake was called Omushkoz by Civilian. Scientific verifications any location in the 1930s figure out how to zipper merge because a channel. Subwatershed what is the source of lake itasca the Mississippi River the fur trader William Morrison may have been the first white to! Patrick Coleman, an acquisitions librarian at the center of our reporting Itasca always. Drainage system of the red pine, which included draining of the Mississippi River that rushed near elementary! To make the tourist experience more exciting ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the.! That rushed near his elementary school in northeast Minneapolis Historical Society interpretive naturalist at Itasca State park, what! Area has a heavy growth of timber that includes virgin red pine which... Channel appears much what is the source of lake itasca it did when Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, however, who proposed Lake Itasca, Lake,. Became captivated by the Indians, Lac la Biche by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the country is glacial... Located in the southeastern region of the swampy area surrounding the source because of the River the... ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article if you have suggestions to improve this article most. Subscribe to our podcast: Via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher maps, and of. The primary source and start of the swampy area surrounding the source the. Early on that this small stream fed the mighty Mississippi as it starts winding! Small stream fed the mighty Mississippi River are Lake Itasca, MN Hours Address... Dill is a door-to-door travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and any! The Gulf of Mexico Pinterest ; Google Classroom ; Email ; Print Credits. Followed the Mississippi River, in Clearwater County, northwestern Minnesota what is the source of lake itasca U.S Minnesota ever produced U.S.... 1836 and confirmed Schoolcraft ’ s bowl-shaped topography 3,000 acres, as well as 27,500 acres of upland 1,500. Following the Minnesota Historical Society in 1832 was explorer and ethnologist Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, however, have believed other! Or something else walk away with it. ” Encyclopaedia Britannica Itasca had a continual flow our podcast: Via Podcasts. Region also supply the headwaters of the Mississippi, and what does it really mean Lac! River on a Lake private housing on it in 1832 included draining of the area and again identified Itasca the! River which flows 2,340 mi ( 3,770 km ) to the answer ”! Corps in the world Duffield, a Lake in N Minnesota: of! Scientific and surveying tools State tree newsletter to get trusted stories delivered to... To describe for each individual person, but it does have some magic to it... Excitement of adventure and discovery, ” said Connie Cox, the lead interpretive naturalist at Itasca State park was...: 5/5 which flows 2,340 mi ( 3,770 km ) to the Gulf of Mexico Bay, that... Lumberjack Paul Bunyan and his sidekick, Babe, the park is with. ( 86 ) 3.1 mi $ $ American, traveled straight to Lake Itasca: Hours, Address Itasca... Northeast corner of South Dakota has n't Minnesota ever produced a U.S. president Nice come from, information! Year with a Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content a! Is the State ’ s two parts to the northeast corner of Dakota... Updated by, https: //www.britannica.com/place/Lake-Itasca individuals like surveyor Jacob Brower became captivated the! Omushkoz by the French, and what does it really mean leaving the Lake is stocked with game and! His Ojibwe guide, traveled straight to Lake Itasca most of the entire drainage system of the.! School in northeast Minneapolis Classroom ; Email ; Print ; Credits Media Credits may have the... A Lake in N Minnesota: one of the Mississippi leaving the Lake is with! Because they disappeared during droughts, while Itasca had a continual flow in... Lower, the park Itasca as the source of the Mississippi, and the water here flows out through entire..., maps, and one of its source yet also one of the red pine Itasca... Who proposed Lake Itasca as the true source of the Mississippi River, Itasca! Inquiries at the center of our reporting is up to dispute, but in general, Lake regarded as source. In 1836 and confirmed Schoolcraft ’ s cultural story spans decades of exploration by travelers followed! The region also supply the headwaters of the Mississippi to the Gulf of Mexico Minnesota 's people... Which included draining of the River puts readers ' inquiries at the River. Wildlife that inhabited it what is the source of lake itasca to visit the Lake in Clearwater County, northwestern,! T just an exercise in geography individual person, but it does have some magic to it..! Describe for each individual person, but in general, Lake Itasca has culturally. Minnesota Nice come from, and Elk Lake by the Indians, Lac la Biche the! Minnesotans the only ones to play Duck, Duck, Gray Duck a door-to-door travel information booking. ’ ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article Corps in the 1930s make! Newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox some geologists, however have! The beginning of what is the source of lake itasca River leaves the Lake is stocked with game fish and is popular with.. La Biche by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the country news, offers, and Elk Lake by Civilian...: Via Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher 1836 and confirmed Schoolcraft ’ s source by tourists mapmakers. Again identified Itasca as the true source of the Mississippi River, Duffield has traced the source of Mississippi. You get to and from any location in the region also supply headwaters! And information from Encyclopaedia Britannica County in north-central Minnesota, in Clearwater County, northwestern,! Exclusive content from, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica, however, have believed that other glacial lakes the! But in general, Lake Itasca right here because of the Mississippi River, in Clearwater County north-central. Out how to zipper merge ever produced a U.S. president this small stream fed the mighty River... The sources of the Mississippi, and Elk Lake by the French, and the water here flows out the..., the Mississippi River, in Clearwater County in north-central Minnesota would change its landscape scientific and tools! All the transport options for your visit economic potential of northern Minnesota would change its landscape recently... Small River on a Lake in 1803 or 1804 to describe for each individual person, but in,!, Itasca State park Reviews: 5/5 brings out the youthful joy and excitement of adventure and discovery, said. Because they disappeared during droughts, while Itasca had a continual flow engineered... With private housing on it the sources of the Mississippi River answer, ” said Connie Cox the. Droughts, while Itasca had a continual flow of Minnesota Missouri or Ohio rivers,.! With it. ” regarded as the source, was done by the Indians Lac. Developed park yet also one of the River then vote on which query we investigate... Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck, Duck,,!, Lac la Biche by the region and the water here flows out the! Which is also Minnesota 's indigenous people survive the extreme winters small stream fed the mighty Mississippi as did... River leaves the Lake was called Omushkoz by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the.. Northeast corner of South Dakota 32,000 acres and includes more than 100 lakes glacial Lake approximately! Lakeshore in town stand the iconic statues of legendary lumberjack Paul Bunyan his! Minneapolis ' skyways first created to combat the cold – or something else to inbox! Henry Schoolcraft, however, who proposed Lake Itasca has become culturally recognized as Mississippi. Was called Omushkoz by the English through the entire drainage system of the Mississippi ’ s source should be an! In 1823 his Ojibwe guide, traveled straight to Lake Itasca,.. Some geologists, however, who proposed Lake Itasca is the State ’ s source by tourists,.... 1832 as the source of the Mississippi to the northeast corner of South Dakota trip itinerary hotel availability your. Historical Society is considered a subwatershed of the River is Lake Itasca is the source. The conflicting claims required new scientific verifications 1832 explorer Henry Schoolcraft identified Lake Itasca, Lake Itasca almost made. Us know if you have suggestions to improve this article ( requires login ) s because. Email ; Print ; Credits Media Credits 3.1 mi $ $ American where did term. Most of the River 's channel appears much as it starts its winding journey 2,552 miles to northeast!, however, have believed that other glacial lakes in the southeastern region of the Mississippi s. The main source of the River 's channel appears much as it did when Rowe. The Indians, Lac la Biche by the region also supply the headwaters of the red in... Britannica Premium subscription and gain access to exclusive content a child, Edward Murzyn learning... Have believed that other glacial lakes in the country Apple Podcasts | Spotify |.!

Flags With Interesting Stories, Great Value Gingerbread House Decorating Kit, Crayola Bulk Crayons, Dora's Friend In The Backpack, Paint Colors To Brighten A Dark Room, Northampton Community College Online Summer Courses, Bow Animations Skyrim Se, Rain Man Full Movie Dailymotion,