The Territory of Minnesota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 3, 1849, until May 11, 1858, when the eastern portion of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Minnesota.

History

The boundaries of the Minnesota Territory, as carved out of Iowa Territory, included the current Minnesota region and most of what later became Dakota Territory east of the Missouri River.

Minnesota Territory also included portions of Wisconsin Territory that did not become part of Wisconsin, located between the Mississippi River and Wisconsin, including the Arrowhead Region.

At the time of its formation, the territory contained three cities: St. Paul, St. Anthony (now part of Minneapolis), and Stillwater.

The major territorial institutions were divided between the three: St. Paul was made the capital; Minneapolis was selected as the site of the University of Minnesota; and Stillwater was chosen as the site of the Minnesota Territorial Prison.

Territorial Governors

#	Governor		Took office	Left office	Party
1	Alexander Ramsey		June 1, 1849	May 15, 1853	Whig
2	Willis Arnold Gorman		May 15, 1853	April 23, 1857	Democratic
3	Samuel Medary		April 23, 1857	May 24, 1858	Democratic

Congressional Delegates

• Henry Hastings Sibley, 31st Congress, 32nd Congress, 1849-1853
• Henry Mower Rice, 33rd Congress, 34th Congress, 1853-1857
• William W. Kingsbury, 35th Congress, 1857-1858

See also

Minnesota Territory Centennial U.S. postage stamp

• John Catlin
• Historic regions of the United States
• History of Minnesota
• Interior Plains
• Territorial evolution of the United States
  • Territory of France that encompassed land that would later become part of the Territory of Minnesota:
    • Louisiane, 1682–1764 and 1803
  • Territory of Spain that would later be returned to France:
    • Luisiana, 1764-1803
  • Territory of the United Kingdom that encompassed land that would later become part of the Territory of Minnesota:
    • Rupert's Land, 1670-1870
  • U.S. territories that encompassed land that would later become part of the Territory of Minnesota:
    • Territory Northwest of the River Ohio, 1787-1803
    • Territory of Indiana, 1800-1816
    • Louisiana Purchase, 1803-1804
    • District of Louisiana, 1804-1805
    • Territory of Louisiana, 1805-1812
    • Territory of Illinois, 1809-1818
    • Territory of Missouri, 1812-1821
    • Territory of Michigan, 1805-1837
    • Territory of Wisconsin, 1836-1848
  • U.S. territories that encompassed land that was previously part of the Territory of Minnesota:
    • Territory of Dakota, 1861-1889
  • U.S. states that encompass land that was once part of the Territory of Minnesota:
    • State of Minnesota, 1858
    • State of North Dakota, 1889
    • State of South Dakota, 1889

References

1. See The Student Page of the Minnesota Secretary of State for an overview of how Minnesota's state boundaries were determined.
2. Minnesota History at the Minnesota State University, Mankato website, retrieved 4 July 2007.

External links

• Minnesota historic documents (incl. Organic Act, Enabling Act, Act of Admission and territorial maps)