Historic Fort Snelling – Protecting the Frontier
Fort Snelling, a landmark steeped in history and echoing with the stories of millennia, stands at the strategic confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers in the state of Minnesota. This location, far from being a mere geographical point, represents a pivotal intersection of cultures, trade, and military ambition that has shaped the region’s identity. For thousands of years, this area has drawn inhabitants, evolving from a vital hub for indigenous peoples to a crucial military outpost and, ultimately, a treasured historical site.
The story of the land where Historic Fort Snelling now resides begins long before European contact. Archaeological evidence suggests human presence dating back 9,000 to 12,000 years. These early inhabitants, likely following migratory herds of game animals, recognized the potential of the area for sustenance and survival. Around 1,000 years ago, the indigenous people living at the junction of the rivers harnessed the waterways for transportation, food, and the development of an extensive trade network with other native communities. This intricate system of exchange fostered cultural connections and economic interdependence among the various tribes populating the region.
By the 17th century, the landscape of what is now Minnesota was primarily inhabited by two major indigenous groups: the Dakota and the Ojibwe. For the Mde-wa-kan-ton-wan Dakota, known as the "Dwellers by Mystic Lake," the confluence of the rivers held profound spiritual significance. They believed it to be the very place of origin, the center of the earth, a sacred site imbued with power and meaning. This deep connection to the land underscores the profound cultural impact of subsequent events on the indigenous population.
The arrival of Europeans in the region during the late 17th century marked the beginning of a complex and often tumultuous relationship with the American Indian tribes. The site quickly became a crossroads in the burgeoning fur trade, where European traders exchanged manufactured goods for valuable furs trapped by the native populations. This exchange, while initially mutually beneficial, gradually shifted the balance of power, leading to significant economic and social changes for both groups. Following the American Revolution, the United States and Great Britain engaged in fierce competition to dominate the lucrative North American fur trade, further intensifying the pressure on the indigenous communities and the land itself. The strategic location of what would become Historic Fort Snelling made it a key point of contention in this struggle for control.
In 1805, a pivotal event occurred that would shape the future of the region. Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, under the authority of the United States government, negotiated the Treaty of St. Peters with the Sioux, acquiring 100,000 acres of land for the establishment of military posts. This acquisition, often referred to as Pike’s Purchase, paved the way for significant settlement by European Americans. The treaty, however, was a source of contention and resentment for many Sioux people, who felt they had been unfairly compensated for their land.
Following the War of 1812, the United States Department of War recognized the strategic importance of the northwestern territories. To protect against potential Canadian and British encroachment, the government embarked on a program to construct a chain of forts and install Indian agents between Lake Michigan and the Missouri River. These forts served not only as military outposts but also as symbols of American authority and influence in the region. The Indian agents, tasked with promoting and protecting the interests of the United States in the fur trade and fostering cooperation with American Indian communities, played a crucial role in the government’s expansionist policies. The establishment of Historic Fort Snelling was a direct result of this strategic initiative.
In 1819, the Army established Fort Saint Anthony on the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi Rivers. Its primary purpose was to control exploration, trade, and settlement along these vital waterways. Under the leadership of Colonel Josiah Snelling, commanding the 5th Infantry Regiment, the construction of the fort commenced in 1820 and continued until its completion in 1824. During this period, the majority of the soldiers resided at Camp Coldwater, a nearby encampment that provided a crucial source of drinking water for the fort throughout the 19th century. In 1825, upon its completion, the Army renamed the fort Fort Snelling in honor of its commander and architect, Colonel Josiah Snelling. Colonel Snelling’s tenure was marked by both his dedication to the project and his personal struggles. He suffered from chronic dysentery, which often exacerbated his temper. In September 1827, he was recalled to Washington, D.C., and he tragically died in the summer of 1828 from complications related to dysentery and what was described as "brain fever."
The soldiers stationed at these northwestern frontier outposts played a critical role in maintaining order and asserting American dominance. Their duties included restricting commercial river traffic to United States citizens, preventing white settlement on American Indian lands until treaties permitted it, enforcing law and order, and protecting legitimate travelers and traders. At Historic Fort Snelling, the garrison also attempted to mediate disputes and maintain peace between the often-warring Ojibwe and Dakota Sioux tribes.
However, by the 1840s, the fur trade had experienced a significant decline in the Minnesota region. This decline was attributed to several factors, including changing fashion trends, the availability of less expensive materials for hat-making, and the reduction of available hunting grounds for Dakota and Ojibwe hunters due to treaties with the U.S. government. As the fur trade waned, many fur traders transitioned into land speculation, fundamentally altering the region’s economic landscape. For many Dakota and Ojibwe people, who had become increasingly reliant on trade, ceding land to settle debts with traders became a matter of survival.
As the towns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul grew and their populations increased, the need for a forward frontier military post in the region diminished. In 1858, the Army sold Fort Snelling, including 8,000 acres later annexed into south Minneapolis, to Franklin Steele for $90,000.
During the Civil War, Franklin Steele leased Historic Fort Snelling to the War Department, which used it as an induction station. More than 24,000 recruits from Minnesota received their initial military training at the fort. During the Dakota War of 1862, the Army used it as a concentration camp, holding hundreds of Dakota women, children, and elders captive on the river flats below the fort throughout the winter of 1862-63. Tragically, hundreds of these captives died due to disease, starvation, and exposure. After the war, Steele leased the land surrounding Fort Snelling to settlers, and Minneapolis began to expand into the fort’s surroundings.
Following the Civil War, the United States Army assigned a garrison to Fort Snelling once again. The fort dispatched forces to protect the interests of the colonizers on the frontier from the Dakota people westward to the Rocky Mountains. Soldiers from Fort Snelling participated in the Indian Wars and the Spanish-American War of 1898.
During World War II, the War Department selected Fort Snelling as the location for the Military Intelligence Service Language School. This school was established to teach the Japanese language to Army personnel. The War Department constructed several buildings for housing and instruction, and the school processed approximately 300,000 soldiers. After the war, in June 1946, the school was relocated to Monterey, California.
The War Department decommissioned Fort Snelling on October 14, 1946. Following decommissioning, various federal agencies acquired parcels of land from the old fort’s grounds. Over time, the majority of the structures fell into disrepair. However, in 1960, recognizing its historical significance, Fort Snelling was designated a National Historic Landmark. This designation acknowledged its importance as the first major military post in the region and its later contributions to the development of the United States Army.
Even after being decommissioned, Fort Snelling continued to serve as the headquarters of the United States Army Reserve 205th Infantry Brigade and supporting units throughout the Upper Midwest. This role was deactivated by the Defense Department in 1994. Over the decades, many deceased Minnesotan soldiers and other United States Armed Forces members have been interred at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, a testament to the fort’s enduring connection to military service. Some military facilities continue to operate in the vicinity of the old fort, underscoring its continued presence in the region.
In the meantime, the Minnesota Historical Society took steps to preserve and interpret the original walled fort. The area was transformed into an educational establishment, with buildings reconstructed to resemble their original appearance from the 1820s and 1830s. The Minnesota Historical Society now operates the fort, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.
Fort Snelling served the U.S. military for more than 120 years through conflicts at home and abroad, and thousands of Minnesotans received their first taste of military service within its walls. Today the fort is a National Historic Landmark and has been named a "national treasure" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
Contact Information:
Historic Fort Snelling
101 Snelling Lake Road
St. Paul, MN 55111
612-279-3550