Have you ever wondered what it would be like to step back in time and see how soldiers lived in the 19th century? Historic Fort Snelling stands at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, a place of historical significance and a glimpse into the lives of our ancestors.
Historic Fort Snelling is a former military fortification and National Historic Landmark. Built in 1819, it was initially called Fort Saint Anthony, but was later renamed to honor its builder, Colonel Josiah Snelling. It served as the primary center for U.S. government forces during the Dakota War of 1862.
Imagine the bustling activity of the fort in the 1800s. Soldiers marched in formation, the sound of the cannon echoed across the land, and the smoke from the kitchen fires filled the air. The fort had an important role in the fur trade. It drove British traders from the area, gaining control of this lucrative business. The fort was also a place of injustice as it allowed U.S. soldiers to bring enslaved people with them. This included African Americans Dred Scott and Harriet Robinson Scott. The Scotts sued for their freedom, leading to the landmark case Dred Scott v. Sandford.
Over the years, Fort Snelling has been a recruiting station during the Civil War, the Spanish-American War and both World Wars. During the Civil War, volunteers were organized here into the 1st Minnesota Regiment. It was decommissioned in 1946 and fell into disrepair until restorations began in 1965. Today, Historic Fort Snelling allows visitors to explore the past and experience what life was like for those who lived and worked there.