Zachary Taylor, president of the United States from 1849-50, was commander of Fort Snelling from May 24, 1828, to July 12, 1829. During that time, he wrote that the region was a "most miserable & uninteresting country" and an "out of the way part of the world."

[caption id="attachment_326177" align="aligncenter" width="410"] Photo courtesy: WhiteHouse.gov[/caption]