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<br />Conclusions and Recommendations <br /> <br />Elk River has an early industrial history of local and statewide importance. The <br />pre:l:-.istoric archaeology of Elk Riv~r is grol';sly u!'derst'ldi~d, bl!': .?f potentially k.i:ge <br />significance, Because the City of Elk River has begun to consider these issues at an early <br />date, there is a good chance for Elk River to leverage existing heritage and potential <br />archaeological sites to enhance and preserve a unique community character, As the area <br />from Maple Grove to St Cloud continues expansion, it is quite likely that the a.bility of <br />communities to fonn and maintain identities will be essential to their long-term success and <br />attractiveness. Because of it strong historic heritage, Elk River has an opportunity not <br />shared (or recognized) by other communities jn tii" canido!. <br /> <br />1. The industrial heritage of Elk River, largely because it is so early, is significant at a <br />local and perhaps at a statewide level. This heritage is a unique aspect of Elk River <br />which can be used to sustain and promote community character and continuity. <br />2, The physical remains of the Milling District need to be more fully documented, <br />While the Mills are, for the most part, largely obliterated, the landscape that contained <br />them, especially around the exit of Lake Orono, remains sufficiendy intact that the <br />City should consider preservation and interpretation. Of particular importance is the <br />preserved landscape; one cannot see the Mills anymore, but the landscape is intact <br />and it is very easy to visualize them. <br />3, The prehistory of Elk River is of great importance to understanding statewide and <br />even regional prehistory. Great care should be taken to locate, preserve and <br />investigate remaining archaeological sites. The very early historic and industrial <br />development of Elk River, and the large areas already urbanized, fall in areas of high <br />archaeological potentiality, Thus remaining areas of high potentiality should be <br />carefully considered, <br />4. The Archaeological Probability Model (Maps 5 and 6) provides a valuable tool to the <br />City of Elk River for planning future development as well as preservation efforts. <br />5. The land at the confluence of the Elk and Mississippi River presents the City with a <br />unique undeveloped area that corresponds with sites of historic importance as well as <br />area of high archaeological probability, 1bis area should be considered as a potential <br /> <br />38 <br />