From 1832 to 1862, Red River Ox Carts traveled extensively in Minnesota as a mode of transportation between St Paul and the fur trading outposts at Pembina, ND, and Fort Gary in Canada. The trail passed Frazee, followed the NP Railroad track to Big Detroit, continued along North Shore drive to the site where Detroit was later founded, then went north to White Earth and on to Pembina. Some carts were enclosed boxes about 3 feet high, while others were flat surfaces with stakes. Originally their wheels were made from a single slice of tree attached to the axle, but later they were changed to spoked wheels that were more practical in mud and ruts. No nails or iron were used, and the wheels were attached with wooden pegs that produced a distinctive tone, so the squeak of the colorful caravans could be heard for miles as they wound through woods, swamps, and prairies.