In the early 1800's large-scale sheep raising pushed thousands of Scottish tenant farmers off the land. Forced to move by hunger, these peasant farmers relocated to Pembina, Canada, in the Red River Valley, where the Metis hunters, who were French and Indian already lived.

In an effort to survive, these farmers began trapping and tried to market their furs. The Hudson Bay Company in Manitoba, Canada had a monopoly on fur trading. It was illegal to remove furs from Canada without an export license.
John Jacob Aster owned the American Fur Company in St. Paul and paid 2-4 times more for furs than the British. So, these peasant farmers built their own unique carts to transport furs and goods to St. Paul. The carts were made entirely out of wood for lightness and flotation and ease of repair. Rawhide held the carts together. The wheels were high so they wouldn't overturn. In fact, the wheels could be flipped over on the cart to use as a flotation device.

Routes ran along river to provide the basics - water, wood and food. Regular cart service was established between Pembina and St. Paul by 1843. The Minnesota Valley Trail ran on each side of the Minnesota River. On the east side was the Fort Garry or Fort Abercrombie to Mendota Trail. On the west side, the Lac qui Parle to Red River Trail.

Remaining remnants of the Lac qui Parle to Red River Valley Trail can be found on the virgin prairie hills in the Lac qui Parle Valley near Lac qui Parle Village.

The Lac qui Parle River Valley helps to define our sense of community. Local and former residents value a sense of “home”- a place for their roots. Remaining remnants of the Lac qui Parle to Red River Valley Trail can be found on the virgin prairie hills in the Lac qui Parle Valley near Lac qui Parle Village.

LqP Prairie Preservation Local Preservation Efforts

The landscapes we know and return to become places of solace. We are drawn to them because of the stories they tell, because of the memories they hold, or simply because of the sheer beauty that calls us back again and again.

The Lac qui Parle River Valley and prairie is worth preserving for us to enjoy and to share with future generations. It is a silent wonder, a silent legacy that many enjoy only in private. Once wiped out it is gone forever. We are destroying the future. We don't get a second chance.

We, as a nation, have traditionally only saved historic buildings. Why can't we preserve landscapes? In 1996 a local grassroots organization, Lac qui Parle Prairie Preservation, was formed to preserve, protect and promote the historic character, beauty and integrity of the Lac qui Parle River Valley and prairie. The group has monthly educational meetings on such topics as native plants, birds, and local history. In addition, Lac qui Parle Prairie Preservation has resurrected original street signs in Lac qui Parle Village and sponsored bus tours around the Lac qui Parle Lake area.

For more information, contact: Lynn Lokken, Lac qui Parle Prairie Preservation, Rt. 5, Box 103A, Montevideo, MN 56265 320.269.2105

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