A new monthly, free publication, “The Minnesota Arrow,” is now available in restaurants, gas stations, grocery stores and other locations in communities situated along the historic Yellowstone Trail (YT) auto route, also known as Highway 212.
The publication is produced by the Yellowstone Trail of Minnesota (YTMN), a state affiliate non-profit of the national Yellowstone Trail Association (YTA). Together, the organizations work to preserve and promote the history of the YT and its communities alongside initiatives to increase tourism-related activities around community arts, culture and recreational assets and events.
“The Yellowstone Trail provides a direct connection into the most populous and affluent area of our state in the Twin Cities. By collectively marketing ourselves through the trail through the YT brand, we are able to offer a state and national level draw that is larger than the sum of its parts,” said YTMN President Scott Tedrick.
The YT was the first grass-roots, coast-to-coast auto route, travelling 3,600 miles from Plymouth Rock, Massachusetts to Puget Sound, Washington. Such efforts served as the precursor to the modern highway system.
The initial YTA was active from 1912-1930, at which time the federal highway system was implemented and the organization disbanded. However, the historic Yellowstone Trail Association was later revived starting three decades ago by retired Eau Claire, Wisconsin professors, John and Alice Ridge, who became enthralled with the historic significance of the trail and its valued legacy.
“The idea of bringing tourism to communities was part of the initial vision of the YTA, and the legacy of that continues today,” says Tedrick. “We want to not only showcase these individual community assets collectively, but also share and seek connections between stories of the communities themselves.”
The first edition of the Arrow features relevant content of Yellowstone Trail communities from the Twin Cities to Ortonville. Individuals can read about larger than life YT champion Michael Dowling and the 100th Anniversary “Dowling School for the Disabled,” as it was originally called in Minneapolis. Beyond that there is the restoration of the Andrew Peterson Farm in Waconia, trail signage efforts in Glencoe, a new antique store, Patina Pickers, in Olivia, D-Day events at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, the Streets of Honor memorial in Appleton, Big Stone Art Crawl and upcoming 150th anniversary of the City of Ortonville and more.
“Such stories and community expressions become even more relevant when considering the upcoming 250th Anniversary of America in 2026,” said Tedrick. “The hope is that communities will look to rally around this date as an opportunity to share and meaningfully market their stories under the context of the broader narrative of the YT and America.”
Individuals interested in joining the state or national YT organizations can email stedrick@yellowstonetrail.org. Individuals interested in advertising in future editions of the Minnesota Arrow may email oproducttion@rencopub.com . The document can also be accessed digitally at: yellowstonetrailmn.com
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