The history of Belle plaine by leo j. albrecht

THE FOUNDER OF BELLE PLAINE

Halfway between St. Paul and Mankato, Minnesota, following the Minnesota River and its valley, sits a prairie town with rolling hills and the "Great Woods" along its northern bank.

In the late 1840's a few French fur traders made their camps home, and set up trading posts along this scenic river. Louis Robert was one of these historic men who survived bitter cold winters and enjoyed the freshness of a natural Minnesota.

Judge Andrew Gould Chatfield was an associate of the Supreme Court by appointment of President Pierce. His territory was everything west of the Mississippi River. He was making his way, on a Spring day in 1853 to Traverse Des Sioux, to hold court. Following the Indian trails through the very dense forest, later known as the "Big Woods," he came upon a beautiful prairie located on the southern bank of the Minnesota River. The beauty of the land impressed him. In 1854, he returned and took claim of 192 acres, with the forming of a town in mind. This property is now the southeast corner of Belle Plaine, lying south of Main Street and east of Meridian Street. The following spring in 1855, he claimed another 320 acres, all of which is now included in our present town. He built a cabin for living quarters near where the old Sacred Heart Church once stood. Along with Major Robert H. Rose and William W. Smith, they laid out the town. The surveying was performed by W. H. Stoddard in 1855. The town was named from the beauty of the land "Belle Plaine."

Shortly after laying out the town, Judge Chatfield, Major Rose and Wiliam Smith formed the Belle Plaine Company. It was incorporated with stock amounting to $100,000; 100 shares of stock at $1,000 each, and with this money, improvements were started. With the existence of the Belle Plaine Company, many buildings were erected and growth was rapid. A large number of lots were sold and our town was on its way to a booming start.

The Minnesota River was very active with large paddle boats and barges arriving and departing. On a good day it might take 19 hours to travel from St. Paul to Mankato with a 12-hour return trip. Belle Plaine was one of many scheduled stops; it was a perfect place to come for a day, or stay for a lifetime. New settlers came every day. By late 1858, the country went into an economic depression and the Belle Plaine Company found itself heavily in debt. At this time Daniel Ingersoll took over all the unsold lots in Belle Plaine and the Belle Plaine Company dissolved. However, the Belle Plaine community had "roots" in hard-working, faithful people and a strong desire to see through many struggles.

Continue your tour back in time with Leo and learn more about the historic beginnings of Belle Plaine by clicking on one or all of the areas of interest below:

Mills, Foundry, Breweries and Brick Yard - the industries that made Belle Plaine flourish.

Plays, Horseracing and Fireworks - all brought good, ol' fashioned fun in Belle Plaine.

Drinking Water - Belle Plaine pumped it from the springs on the ground to the top of tower.