Welcome to Old Frontenac, a quaint yet historically rich community nestled along the Mississippi River in Minnesota. This charming area, now a census-designated place, has roots that stretch back to the mid-19th century. Let’s take a journey back in time to uncover the stories and events that have shaped Old Frontenac.
In the early 1850s, James Wells established a trading post in this area, primarily engaging with the Native American community. However, it was in 1854 when brothers Israel and Lewis Garrard stumbled upon this picturesque landscape during a hunting trip. Enchanted by its natural beauty, they purchased large plots of land and laid the foundation for what would become a thriving community.
Originally named Westervelt, to honor postmaster Evert V. Westervelt in 1855, the settlement was renamed Frontenac in 1860. The Garrard brothers chose this name to pay homage to Louis de Buade de Frontenac, a notable French colonial governor of Canada, despite him never visiting the Mississippi River area. The Garrards were instrumental in establishing Frontenac as a summer haven for the wealthy, with several elegant summer homes and hotels, including the Lakeside Hotel built in 1867.
The community’s evolution was closely tied to the arrival of the railroad in the 1870s. Although the town’s founders refused to sell land to the railway company, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad line was eventually established nearby, leading to the development of a new area known as Frontenac Station. This shift marked the beginning of what would later be referred to as Old Frontenac.
As you stroll through Old Frontenac, you may notice the historical churches that stand as testaments to the community’s enduring spirit. St. John Lutheran Church, part of the Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod, and Christ Episcopal Church, with its unique outdoor amphitheater, both serve as spiritual and architectural landmarks.
Today, Old Frontenac is enveloped by Frontenac State Park, established in 1957. This area is a sanctuary for nature lovers and bird watchers, situated within the Mississippi Flyway. The park’s diverse landscape of floodplains, bluffs, and forests provides a glimpse into the natural beauty that first captivated the Garrard brothers and continues to draw visitors.
Old Frontenac may be a small community, but its rich history and timeless allure make it a significant chapter in Minnesota’s story.
