How it began
The
Minnesota River and its transportation
qualities can be credited with the birth of this community known today as Savage. In 1852,
a small trading post was established at the junction of Credit River and the Minnesota River.
Shortly afterward, Hamilton Landing was built on the banks of the Minnesota. This is where
many Scottish and Irish settlers exited the steamboat they had boarded at Fort Snelling,
setting up a village named after the steamboat landing.
But
even before white settlers arrived, the area around Savage was inhabited by Indians.
Black Dog Indian Village was located just outside of Savage. The journeys of the Indians
throughout the area created paths that settlers would eventually follow from the river
into Hamilton.
As
more and more people arrived at Hamilton, the tiny village grew. Shops and
homesteads were built, with farming and trading being the primary industries.
The
first railroad tracks were laid in Hamilton in October of 1865. The route ran to
Mendota, and hosted the first steam locomotive in the state. One year later, a
post office was constructed in the village.
Hamilton
was incorporated in 1892.
Next:
M.W. Savage and Dan Patch.
History
M.W. Savage/Dan Patch
Location
