Beaver Creek
Native Americans have regarded
the pipestone (catlinite) quarries of Southwest Minnesota
as a sacred place for thousands of years. The Pipestone National
Monument preserves the sacred red stone, where Native Americans
still carve the pipestone into ceremonial pipes and other craft
items.
Many cities in this area have
large, beautiful buildings of Sioux quartzite quarried near
Pipestone and Jasper.
Jasper
- Active quartzite quarry. Video
describing quarrying can be viewed at Jasper Historic Museum,
102 E. Wall Street. Tours given Saturday morning of Jasper's
Quarry Festival.
Pipestone
- Pipestone National Monument.
Longfellow's "Song of Hiawatha" Pageant is presented here each
summer. Traditional Native American designs and items at Upper
Midwest Indian Cultural Center.
Luverne
- Hiking trails and
large buffalo herd at Blue Mounds State Park. Annual Buffalo
Days & Auction. Tour many historical buildings.
