Join the hiking group for an urban walk on the wild side around the environs of Minneapolis' Boom Island Park. Islands of the Mississippi in the area of Minneapolis include Boom Island, where log booms formerly retained the lumbermen's logs until they were gradually supplied to the sawmills; Nicollet Island, a residential portion of the city named in honor of the French explorer and geographer, Joseph Nicolas Nicollet; Hennepin Island, named after Father Louis Hennepin, a priest who visited the area with a French expedition in 1680; Cataract Island and Carver's Island, just below the falls, the latter being named for Captain Jonathan Carver, who visited the falls in 1766; Spirit Island, formerly a high remnant of the rock strata that reportedly was held in awe by the Indians; and Meeker Island, an alluvial tract between the Franklin Avenue bridge and the Milwaukee Railway bridge, which was owned by Judge Bradley B. Meeker, for whom a Minnesota county is named. The hike route also passes by the outlet of Bassett Creek, Minneapolis' best known subterranean stream. Boom Island was the center of commercial activity in the "Upper Town" portion of St. Anthony. Boom Island was owned by Pierre Bottineau until he sold it to Franklin Steele in 1848. In 1849, Steele completed the original plat of St. Anthony, which eventually merged into Minneapolis. Franklin Steele was the father-in-law of Henry Hastings Sibley, Minnesota’s first governor as a state. An 1893 fire destroyed everything on Boom Island. The hike route also includes Nicollet Island and the James J. Hill bridge over the falls of St. Anthony. St. Anthony falls were the steepest drop on the entire river before the falls were significantly altered to provide water power for saw mills and grain mills early in Minneapolis’ history.
If driving: From downtown Minneapolis, take Washington Avenue north to Plymouth Avenue North and turn east (right). Continue across the Plymouth Avenue North/8th Avenue Northeast bridge to Sibley Street Northeast, which is the entry point to Boom Island Park. Park in the Boom Island Park parking lot (Minneapolis Park Board pay parking lot) or park for free on the street across Plymouth Avenue from the park on nearby Sibley Street Northeast or nearby Ramsey Street Northeast.
If coming by public transit: Take Metro Transit route(s): 827 (East side of the River) or 14, 20, 32, or 52K (West Side of the River). The closest bus service point appears to be either the east side or the west side of the Plymouth Avenue bridge. From the bridge, walk south to Boom Island Park. Applicable Metro Transit Map / Bus Schedule information
The group will reassemble at a nearby restaurant (Broadway Pizza, 2025 West River Road, Minneapolis) after the hike.
Map to hike start point:
8th Ave Ne At Sibley St
Minneapolis, MN 55413
Boom Island and Mill Area Archaeology
James J. Hill Stone Arch Bridge
Nicollett Island archaeology
Boom Island archaeology
Bassett Creek archaeology
Mill District archaeology
Mill District Ruins archaeology
St. Anthony Falls archaeology
St. Anthony Falls and the Army Corps of Engineers
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This page was last updated on July 27, 2008.