Learn more about Half-breed Tract

The Goodhue County Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at 2 p.m. Jan. 30, at the History Center, 1166 Oak St. Following a brief business meeting and elections, Lisa Hanni will talk about the area of southeastern Minnesota known as the Half-Breed Tract.

In 1830 at the council of tribes in Prairie du Chien, the American government was negotiating Dakota land cessions in the Minnesota Territory. The Mdewakanton Dakota requested a tract along Lake Pepin for their mixed race (Dakota-white) relatives.

As migration to western lands continued, people came to Minnesota and settled on lands that they believed they could use the pre-emption or homestead rights to gain title. That was not the case, History Center Executive Director Char Henn said. Cities sprang up, people built homes, and it was inevitable that land ownership issues would ensue.

Hanni has a master's degree in public administration and has worked in the Land Surveying and GIS disciplines since 1985. She leads Goodhue County Land-use Management.

The meeting and Hanni's presentation are public. No admission will be charged, and refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact Henn at 651-388-6024 or chargchs@qwestoffice.net.

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