*Tree Planting May 2013
*New Trees Planted in fall colors at Coldwater Spring Sep 29th, 2013

Links to Park Service websites

See a Video On Coldwater!

 

Preserve Camp Coldwater Coalition

To preserve and protect the natural resources and
restore the cultural integrity of the Camp Coldwater area
and to acquaint all people with the historic Birthplace of Minnesota.

Coldwater Spring is located on the southern end of Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis.

Official Address:   5601 Minnehaha Park Drive South, Fort Snelling, MN 55111

From Hiawatha Ave/ Hwy 55: Turn east at the 54th Street light and then quickly turn south on the frontage road. Proceed one block to the front gate. Go through the gate and there is a small parking lot. Follow the walking trail  to the south going down the hill. Watch for the small stone springhouse from the 1880's.  The spring flows from the base of the flagstone structure in the NW corner of the pond. Welcome to the core of the Camp Coldwater Area.

Welcome to the birthplace of Minnesota.

CAMP COLDWATER

On May 5^th of 1820 Lieutenant Colonel Henry Leavenworth moved the 5^th U. S. Infantry troops under his command to this area to escape the unhealthy conditions they had endured at their earlier stockade on the Minnesota River. The clear, cold spring water helped restore the men and their families, who lived in tents and elm bark huts here during three summers while they built the permanent stone fort nearby. The military continued to rely on the spring's fresh water through the nineteenth century, using horse-drawn water wagons and later a stone water tower and underground pipes to transport the water to Fort Snelling.

Families who left the Red River colony of Lord Selkirk were allowed by Colonel Josiah Snelling to settle near this location in 1821. Here they raised cattle and sold provisions to the army. When they were forced to vacate the military reservation in 1840, they moved downstream and helped establish St. Paul.

Blacksmith shops, stables, trading posts such as B. F. Baker's substantial stone warehouse, the St. Louis Hotel, and a stamboat landing all occupied this area, but by the time of the Civil War nearly all were gone. Today, this spring is all that remains of Camp Coldwater.

coldwater springs minneapolis minnesota