Minnesota Territory



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 among 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 Secretaries

 * Charles K. Smith, 1849–1851
 * Alexander Wilkin, 1851–1853
 * Joseph Rosser. 1853-1857
 * Charles L. Chase 1857-1858

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