Historic Mills of the Cannon Valley

An excerpt from Historic Mills of the Cannon Valley by Jeff Jarvis:

“Before the road and highway system we enjoy today was in place, the Cannon River waterway was used for centuries by the Dakota Sioux for transportation through the interior of southern Minnesota territory. This route enabled the Indians to trade, hunt and travel from the Mississippi all the way to present-day Mankato, using the river and lake system.”

“One of the first steamboats on the Cannon River was built by Captain Hall of Morristown as a source of transportation. A source of pride for Morristown, the boat was used to bring loads of grain from Waterville to be ground at Hershey Grist Mill in Morristown. Hall also boarded passengers for cruises up the Cannon River from Morristown to Waterville, passing many points of interest, with Maiden Rock being one of them.”

“Because the river’s water level fluctuated so much, some trips were taken during low water times. In these cases, the passengers were instructed by the captain to rock the boat side-to-side to help the boat over rocks and sandbars submerged in the shallow water. The boat was eventually sold to Lougee and Renslow to provide steamboat excursions on Cannon Lake in 1878. By 1880, its new name became ‘The Lady of the Lake” and was docked on Cannon Lake at the famous Polar Star Mill (later known as the King Mill).”