Old Wadena Historic District, Historic district in Thomastown Township, US
The Old Wadena Historic District contains archaeological sites and former trading posts located where the Crow Wing and Partridge Rivers meet. The land shows evidence of human settlement and economic activity spanning several periods.
Four trading posts were established one after another between 1782 and 1856, marking the start of Euro-American settlement in Wadena County. These posts served as centers for the fur trade and connected different peoples through commerce.
The district shows traces of encounters between French-Canadian fur traders, Dakota people, and Ojibwe communities during the early settlement period. These interactions shaped how the region developed and how people conducted business here.
The district is located in a rural area and requires planning to visit, since sites are spread across the landscape. Historical documentation and archaeological findings can be accessed through Minnesota's State Historic Preservation Office.
The original Wadena township sat on this land but was abandoned when the railroad chose a route further south in 1871. This shift shaped where people and commerce moved in the region for generations.
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