The History of Breckenridge
The land now occupied as Breckenridge was originally the hunting ground of the Dakota (Sioux) and Ojibway (Chippewa) Indian Nations. Countless herds of buffalo roamed the area. In 1851 Indian treaties opened up this land for settlement by the white man.
On January 29, 1857, an expedition of ten men reached the future site of Breckenridge Minnesota Territory. Speculators focused on this site because earlier explorations had shown a river began here which was the only river in the whole territory flowing north for such a great distance. This river is the Red River of the North which has its headwaters at Breckenridge and is the longest north-flowing river in the United States.
On January 31, 1857, in one of the worst winters Minnesota Territory has ever known, the platting of Breckenridge began with hand compass and tape line chain. A huge city -- containing 2,500 acres, 18 full blocks -- ran east and west, 36 blocks north and south and several parks. Speculators held the town by occupation against other speculators.
The town was named for John C. Breckinridge, Vice President of the United States. The "i" in his name became an "e" for an unexplained reason. On the original plat, however, it is spelled correctly with the "i."
On August 23, 1862, Breckenridge was destroyed and burned by Sioux Indians. If the Indian uprising and Civil War had not intervened, Breckenridge might today well be another Chicago, as the speculators envisioned.
October 25, 1871, however, brought the St. Paul and Pacific Railroad to Breckenridge and real development of the town began. Breckenridge had essentially been a river town from its founding in 1857. Now it became a railroad village and the distribution point for the entire surrounding area.
Today Breckenridge is an agricultural based community - home of a very proud heritage.