History mystery

Reader Kim Ochocki was good enough to translate some of the copy we found in the Minneapolis newspaper, Echo de L’ouest, from February of 1918. We had hoped it would contain some clarification on the naming of the Cloquet River, and, subsequently, the city.

Alas, we merely get one of the theories that has survived the years. It’s an important find, as there are more than a few thoughts out there. Finding a source from more than 100 years ago helps narrow the field a bit.

Here is some of what Kim translated for us:

“Where does this name Cloquet come from? It is claimed that this name came from...