the 1778 Mitchell Map by John Mitchell records the river as Fiume del Lago (River of the Lake), with Samuel Mitchell reproducing the map in 1880, with the river recorded as Lake R.; Mille Lacs Lake, though, was recorded in the reproduction as Red Lake or Mustiacalsan ("Mustiacalsan" being a mis-recording of "Miſsiſacaigon"). Henry Schoolcraft in his Narratives in 1820 records the Rum River by its Ojibwe name Missisawgaiegon. By 1832, Tanner's map recorded the name of the river as Missisagaigon or Rum River. Today, two different Ojibwe names can be found for this river: one indicating the lake of its origin (Misi-zaaga'igani-ziibi, Grand Lake River) and the other reflecting the English (Ishkodewaaboo-ziibi, Fire-water River). Due to changes in the Dakota language, two slightly varying river's name appears as well: Watpa waḳaŋ representing the historically recorded name, and Wakpa waḳaŋ reflecting the current name. Naming controversy The current English name is a mistranslation of the one given to it by the Mdewakanton Dakota (see Dakota) tribe. Though Watpa waḳaŋ (Spirit(ual)/Mystic River) in the Dakota language, by the late 18th-century Europeans interpreted the Mdewakanton Dakota name for the river not as "Spirit" denoting a mystical force, but instead as "spirit" denoting alcohol and ever since it has been known as the Rum River. See also Mille Lacs Kathio State Park Rum River State Forest List of Minnesota rivers List of longest streams of Minnesota References External links Minnesota DNR: A Canoe and Boating Guide to the Rum River Rum River – State water trail: Minnesota DNR Rivers of Minnesota Tributaries of the Mississippi River Rivers of Anoka County, Minnesota Rivers of Mille Lacs County, Minnesota Rivers of Isanti County, Minnesota Rivers of Sherburne County, Minnesota