One of my students is doing a project on the Cornelia Meigs book SWIFT RIVERS (I highly recommend it to those who have not read it. Yes, it is a children's book. No, it's not for children only--though having a healthy inner child might help you enjoy it more).
The author gives pretty specific information about the setting--including the President at the time and locations on the river that can still be found on maps of the Mississippi today. All but the Goose Wing River. We have been unable to find it on maps anywhere. I've even looked it up on several websites that have maps of the area. Nothing matches the other geographical clues.
Now, I realize (both of us know, actually) that we can still complete the project very beautifully without knowing the location of the river. But I am curious--intrigued. Meigs's books are so detailed and realistic that I can't help feeling that there MUST be a place out there called the Goose Wing River. It's almost a disappointment to think that perhaps she just made the place up as she did the characters. Perhaps it no longer exists. Perhaps it was swallowed up by metropolitan Minneapolis. Perhaps is it too small to be recognized as a nameable river anymore. Perhaps it dried up long ago. Perhaps I'll be keeping my ears open for any news of such a place for the rest of my life. =)
Here's to the little intriguing details that inexplicably pique our interests! May yours bring you as much fun as ours has!
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6 comments:
I'm right there with you. My daughter is currently reading Swift River and I've looked for Goose Wing river too. Found Crow wing. No Goose.
it's nice to know that someone else has been curious about it!
The Crow Wing River in MN is the closest account in length and origin. However the bulk of Swedish immigrants are found not far from Red Wing, Mn. The topography of both areas is far from "mountainous with ridges" being more of the rolling hills and plains category. Like the foreword of the book states Meigs' topographic accuracy is low until later along the Mississippi. You won't find a Goose Wing River although some argue Goose Wing may have been an early name for Red Wing. Historical Fiction at it's best!
thank you for your information! It helps to have that additional info. My copy of the book did not come with this forward, and my personal knowledge of MN is very limited. Less limited now, though =)
When I searched it up on Google, it led me to Wing River in Wadena County...far from mountainous. Wadena County marks the transition from prairie to woods but it still pretty flat. The only "mountains" in MN are along the north shore by Lake Superior.
Thanks for weighing in on that, Sarah! I hadn't thought to compare river locations with the mountains in MN. That's a really helpful contrast for me.
Makes me wonder how logging was done in the early days of MN logging, then. More food for thought :)
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