Located on the Mississippi River, Frontenac is a
birdwatcher's paradise. It's one of the best spots in the country to view
birds migrating in the spring and fall. More than 260 species of birds have been
recorded here. No wonder: Lake Pepin's diverse habitats -- bluffland, prairie,
floodplain forest and upland hardwood forest -- attract numerous warblers,
hawks, waterfowl and shorebirds. Hikers and skiers enjoy spectacular views of
this beautifully wooded river valley. Fishing, swimming and boat tours are all
available nearby.Quick stats:
2,803 acres
95,524 annual visits
13,879 overnight visits
Naturalist:
Naturalist programs are presented on a seasonal basis, generally mid-May
through Labor Day. Check at the park for the program schedule.
Wildlife
Wildlife. Since the turn of the century, Frontenac has had a reputation for
great birdwatching. Some 260 species of birds make the park their home for part
or all of the year, while others just stop by on their way up or down the
Mississippi River flyway. Bald eagles are commonly seen in the fall, winter and
spring. A few eagles even nest in the area. Several species of warblers visit
every year, particularly the first part of May. Frontenac has numerous other
wildlife including deer, raccoon, opossum, red fox, coyote, woodchuck, various
ground squirrels, beaver and wild turkey.
History
Archeological excavations at Frontenac in 1976 uncovered artifacts from the
Hopewellian culture dating from 400 B.C. to 300 A.D. Some sites were burial
grounds; others indicated that these people lived here. Research also shows that
the Dakota and Fox Indians hunted and fished on the shores of Lake Pepin. Later,
the famous French missionary, Father Louis Hennepin, led the first European
exploration to this area of the Mississippi River in 1680. In June 1727, an
expedition left Montreal to set up a post in this area to launch further
exploration westward in search of a route to the Pacific Ocean. It is believed
that this post was located on Sand Point, although no evidence remains today.
Geology
Hundreds of millions of years ago, Minnesota was covered by shallow seas. At
the bottom of the seas, sediment accumulated and slowly hardened into rock. This
rock now makes up the bluffs along the Mississippi River. Following the glacial
period, Glacial River Warren cut a large valley through which the Mississippi
River now flows. When the river was at its peak, most of Frontenac was
underwater, except the park's bluff. One landmark in the park today, In-Yan-Teopa,
a giant rock on the edge of the bluff, is believed to have religious importance
to American Indians. At one time a stone quarry operated within the park
boundaries that produced high quality limestone, a material popular for
building. In 1883, John LaFarge and George L. Heins chose limestone from this
quarry to construct part of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York
City.
Landscape
Frontenac offers visitors a rich diversity of natural communities and
landscapes: bluffs, prairie, floodplain forests, and hardwood forest in its
2,773 acres.
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