Fort Snelling is a historic military fort located on a high bluff where the Minnesota river joins the Mississippi, between the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. It is Minnesota's oldest surviving building.
Early History
Zebulon Pike, explorer and army officer, bought the land where the fort would be built in 1805. At that time, the area was the nation's northern frontier. Following battles with Canada in 1812 the federal government began to built forts along the northern borders for protection from the Canadians and British.
Construction started on the stone fort in 1820, and was completed by 1824. The soldiers based there prevented non-US traders from using the rivers, enforced law and order, and protected US travelers and traders. They also attempted to keep the peace between local American Indian Ojibwe and Dakota people, and white settlers.
The cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were well established and surrounded the fort by the mid 19th century. Fort Snelling and a large amount of the surrounding land was sold to local lumber baron Franklin Steele in 1858.
Civil War to World War II
Steele planned to level the fort and build housing, but before demolition could start the Civil War broke out, and Steele leased the fort back to the government. It was used as a supply depot and induction station for new soldiers.
When the Civil War ended, Steele leased the land around the fort to civilian settlers, forming the southern part of the city of Minneapolis. The army continued to use the fort when the Civil War was over, with regulars from Fort Snelling serving in the Indian campaigns and in the Spanish-American War of 1898.
Many original stone buildings were destroyed in the late 19th century and replaced with barracks, offices and storehouses to keep up with current military requirements.
During World War II, Fort Snelling became the Military Intelligence Service Language School, and taught Japanese to over 300,000 military personnel.
Fort Snelling Today
The fort was decommissioned in 1946 and split up among various government agencies. The structure fell into disrepair and the route of a freeway was planned through the site. Local opposition to the freeway lead to the fort being listed and protected as a National Historic Landmark in 1960. In 1965 the Minnesota History Society started restoring the site.
Fort Snelling was opened to the public in 1970. The fort is closed in the winter, but from May until October costumed guides entertain and educate visitors about Fort Snelling and Minnesota's history. There are historical displays, and visitors are invited to participate in period activities. There is a a visitor and education center on site. Approximately 55,000 people visit Fort Snelling every year.
The Fort is surrounded by Fort Snelling State Park, a large open space in the middle of the twin cities, which is open year-round for hiking, biking and cross-country skiing.
