Historic Fort Snelling

Understanding the Layers of History at Fort Snelling

Historic Fort Snelling sits on a bluff above the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, a place the Dakota people call Bdote. Long before any fort was built, this meeting of waters was, and remains, a sacred site in Dakota tradition, tied to stories of origin and to generations of life along the rivers. Any visit is richer when you start from that fact. The fort is one chapter in a much longer story of the land.

The stone fort itself was built in the 1820s as a U.S. Army outpost on what was then the western frontier. Its history is complicated, and the site's interpretation has increasingly reflected that. Topics visitors can expect to encounter include:

• Dakota history and the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862, including the internment camp below the fort where hundreds of Dakota people were held during the winter that followed.
• Slavery on free soil, including the story of Dred and Harriet Scott, who lived at the fort for a time. Their later legal fight became one of the most consequential cases in U.S. history.
• Military service across eras, from the Civil War through the Second World War. During that war the area hosted the Military Intelligence Service Language School, where Japanese American soldiers trained as linguists.

Making the most of a visit

Plan to spend at least a couple of hours so you can walk the grounds and read the exhibits without hurrying. Some of the walking is outdoors on uneven historic surfaces, so wear sturdy shoes and dress for Minnesota weather. Programming, hours and seasonal openings change, so confirm details with the site operator before you go. The fort is reachable by car and is close to light rail and regional trails, which makes it an easy stop to pair with other plans in the Twin Cities.

Places like this help explain why the Twin Cities look and work the way they do, from treaty history to the growth of the river towns. If you are visiting with other supporters, you can check the upcoming events page to plan your day. You can also read the platform to see how questions of history, community and public lands connect to the issues on the table today.