The Oak Point area has another claim to ancient historical significances called the "Leech Lake Trail". This ancient trail begins on the northeastern side of Oak Point (formally called Squaw Point) and ended up at the east side of the Red Lake Agency in Beltrami County. The beginning of the trail is lost in the pre-history of the Dakota, or Sioux, who had villages on both lakes. The Dakota were driven out by the Chippewa probably around 1750. Henry Schoolcraft in his 1820 accounts called the route "ancient". The trail was used for communication and trade between the tribes. Travel was by foot across the high ground and across the lakes and rivers by canoe.
From the trails beginning at Oak Point it went northwest to the northwest side of Pike Bay and then proceeding to the eastern side of Little Wolf Lake all in Cass County. At that point the trail proceeded north into Beltrami County east of Wolf Lake to cross the Mississippi River near the entrance to Andrusia Lake before proceeding on to Red Lake in a northern direction.
The trail was improved under the Chippewa Treaty of 1863 when a $5,000 budget was allocated for construction. The trail continued to be used until travel was replaced by railroads and roadways. But it all started out on Oak Point.
From the trails beginning at Oak Point it went northwest to the northwest side of Pike Bay and then proceeding to the eastern side of Little Wolf Lake all in Cass County. At that point the trail proceeded north into Beltrami County east of Wolf Lake to cross the Mississippi River near the entrance to Andrusia Lake before proceeding on to Red Lake in a northern direction.
The trail was improved under the Chippewa Treaty of 1863 when a $5,000 budget was allocated for construction. The trail continued to be used until travel was replaced by railroads and roadways. But it all started out on Oak Point.
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