MINNESOTA - When tracing the history of the North Star State, the timeline leads to the Mississippi River bluffs and the city of Wabasha. Established in 1830, it holds the title of the oldest continuously inhabited city in Minnesota, pre-dating the Twin Cities and the official formation of the territory.
The Founding: 1830
Wabasha’s origins are deeply rooted in the fur trade.
- Augustin Rocque: In 1830, a mixed-race French and Dakota fur trader named Augustin Rocque became the first non-indigenous settler to build a permanent home in the area.
- The Trading Post: The site was ideal for commerce due to its location on the Mississippi River. It quickly became a trading hub for the region, known for its vast timber resources and river access. Unlike military outposts, Wabasha grew organically as a civilian community.
Indigenous Roots
The city is named after a lineage of powerful Mdewakanton Dakota chiefs known as Wapasha (or Wabasha).
- The Chiefs: Chief Wapasha I, II, and III were influential leaders who navigated the complex relationships between the British, French, and Americans.
- Kezza: The area was originally the site of the village of Ke-zza (meaning "Where the creek enters the river"). The Dakota people had lived in this river valley for generations, utilizing the rich resources of the Mississippi flyway. The current city is home to the National Eagle Center, reflecting the area's continued ecological significance to indigenous culture.
A Technical Distinction: Fort Snelling and Stillwater
While Wabasha is the oldest settlement that is currently a city, there are two other contenders for historical "firsts" in Minnesota.
- Fort Snelling (1819): Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, Fort Snelling is the absolute oldest site of continuous European activity in the state. However, it was a military reservation, not a civilian city.
- Stillwater (1848): Known as the "Birthplace of Minnesota," Stillwater is where the convention was held to begin the process of forming the Minnesota Territory. While significant politically, its settlement date (1843) is later than Wabasha's.
Settlement vs. Incorporation
There is a distinction between being settled and being legally incorporated.
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Incorporation Race: While Wabasha was settled first (1830), it was not the first to officially incorporate as a city. That honor goes to St. Paul and Stillwater, which were both incorporated on the same day: March 4, 1854. Wabasha was not officially incorporated until 1858. Thus, Wabasha is the oldest community, but St. Paul is the oldest legal municipality.
Wabasha is the oldest city in Minnesota, settled in 1830 by Augustin Rocque. It is named after the Mdewakanton Dakota Chief Wapasha and served as a vital trading post on the Upper Mississippi. While Fort Snelling (1819) is the oldest European structure and Stillwater/St. Paul (1854) were the first to legally incorporate, Wabasha holds the title for the longest continuous civilian habitation.
Sources
- Minnesota Historical Society. "Wabasha County Historical Society."
- City of Wabasha. "History of Wabasha."
- National Eagle Center. "Chief Wabasha."
- Explore Minnesota. "Historic Sites: Fort Snelling."
- City of Stillwater. "History & Historic Courthouse."