List of 19th-Century U. S. Western Frontier Forts, Part I: Minnesota and Iowa

Note: This is the first of a series of lists of the U. S. forts of the Wild West. It is intended for use in research by writers, readers, movie fans, and others, so not much information is provided in this list itself; instead, it refers readers, by way of embedded links, to websites that provide brief historical accounts of the forts and, in many cases, one or more photographs or illustrations associated with each of the forts. All photographs and illustrations are in the public domain.

Western forts could be highly effective when used as part of a comprehensive, strategic approach that prioritized engineering, leadership, and resource management. Their success depended less on the natural environment itself and more on human ingenuity and systemic planning. Failures often stemmed from neglecting these aspects rather than inevitable environmental or economic hardships alone.

Minnesota (admitted May 11, 1858; previously Minnesota Territory)

 

Fort Ridgely (Minnesota)

Fort Ridgely (1853-1857)

Built 1853–1854, in Minnesota Territory, Fort Ridgely was a frontier United States Army outpost until 1867. Two companies of troops assisted in quarrying the granite, transporting it two miles, and using the stone to erect a 400-man stone barracks. Surprisingly, the fort lacked walls.

After Congress approved $10,000 to clear timber and $50,000 to build a road, a wagon road was built from St. Anthony Falls to Fort Ridgely.

On August 18, 1862, Captain Marsh took most of the garrison to the Lower Sioux Agency after reports of an attack. Marsh requested assistance from C Company to oversee annuity and provisions exchange at the Upper Sioux Agency. Marsh sent a runner to support C Company, who marched through Glencoe, Minnesota, and returned to Ridgely by noon ("Fort Ridgely," Wikipedia).

The Sioux attacked Ridgely's combined military/civilian force twice, with 800 Mdewakanton and Wahpekute led by Little Crow. Fort artillery repulsed the overwhelming force, and Ordinance Sergeant John Jones organized men with artillery experience to man three cannons.

Abbie Gardner

The sole civilian survivor of the massacre, 14-year-old Abbie Gardner, was the prisoner of the outlaw Wahpekute band of the Santee Sioux for four months. Ransomed, she was taken to the Upper Sioux Agency and Fort Ridgely, from whence she was sent to St. Paul by riverboat ("Spirit Lake Massacre," Wikipedia).

Fort Snelling (Fort St. Anthony) (1819-1946; 1963-1994)

Fort Snelling

Acting on the recommendation of Lieutenant Zebulon Pike, the U. S. began building Fort Snelling at the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Missouri River in 1819 ("Historic Forts in Minnesota," Historic Posts). The Army permitted soldiers stationed at the post to bring their slaves with them, an action that prompted Dred Scott and his wife Harriet to sue for their freedom, having lived in "free territory" during the years they'd lived at the fort. The case's decision was essentially that neither slaves nor anyone of African ancestry could become U.S. citizens ("Fort Snelling, Wikipedia).

Among other missions, the soldiers of Fort Snelling enforced the 1812  Treaty of Ghent's prohibition of the operation of British-Canadian traders in the U. S.; "served as a concentration camp for more than 1,600 Dakota people during the winter of 1862-63, [amid] suffering, disease, and death" ("Historic Forts in Minnesota," Historic Forts); and became an induction center for Union troops during the Civil War ("Fort Snelling," Wikipedia).

Iowa (admitted December 28, 1846; previously Iowa Territory)

Fort Dodge (Iowa)

Fort Dodge (originally Fort Clarke) (1850-1853)

Initially known as Fort Clarke, Fort Dodge received its new name to avoid its confusion with another fort in Texas, with which the Iowa fort shared its name ("Fort Dodge," Wikipedia). Built in 1850, Fort Dodge was abandoned 1853. Its soldiers' mission had been to defend settlers against the Sioux ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Old Fort Madison (Iowa) (1801-1831)

Old Fort Madison, the first such U. S. post in  Iowa's  Upper Mississippi region, was "established to control the new Louisiana Purchase territories,... to "control trade, [and to] pacify the Native Americans." Canon fire repelled the Sauk when they attacked the fort, but they and other tribes "harassed troops" once they left the fort. In September 1812, "a coordinated attack" by the Sauk and other tribes was conducted, during which several of the fort's building were damaged, and another siege followed. Abandoning the fort "weeks later," the troops burned its buildings during their withdrawal to prevent the warriors from seizing them. Upon seeing the abandoned, burned-down fort, Chief Blackhawk voiced his satisfaction at the fact "that the white people had retired from the country" ("Fort Madison," Historic Forts).

Old Fort Madison (Sketch by A. Reynolds, 1842).

Fort Atkinson

According to "Historic Forts of Iowa," Fort Atkinson was "founded in the early 1840s, [primarily] to oversee and protect the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) [Native Americans] after their forced removal from Wisconsin."

A Wikipedia article adds that "The regular army turned the fort over to Iowa volunteers as the troops stationed there were needed for the Mexican-American War."

Fort Des Moines (Iowa)

Fort Des Moines No. 1 (1834-1830s)

In 1834, where the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers joined, Fort Des Moines No. 1 was erected. While its primary mission was to maintain peace between white settlers and nearby Native American tribes, Fort Des Moines No. 1 also played a pivotal role in scouting and exploration activities in the region.

Despite its initial strategic importance, the tenure of Fort Des Moines No. 1 was surprisingly brief, "floods, disease, and a reassessment of military needs" leading to its abandonment in the late 1830s ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Fort Des Moines No2. (1834-1840s)

Fort Des Moines No. 2, established in 1834, marked a significant expansion of the U.S. military’s presence in the uncharted territories of Iowa. Overlooking the Mississippi River, it was a critical point of control and defense for the burgeoning Western frontier ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Fort Defiance (1850s-?)

Fort Defiance was primarily established to protect settlers, becoming a safe haven for them in times of danger ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Fort Severson

Established in the mid-19th century, Fort Severson protected early settlers who traveled into uncharted territories and, as a trading post, brought pioneers and Native American tribal members together. The fort was decommissioned as settlements developed into towns and cities. ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Fort Sanford (1840s-?)

Established in the 1840s, on the Des Moines River, Fort Sanford, was located near a previous trading post from donated cabin, with new quarters being built for officers and as stables for the officers' horses. ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).

Fort Dodge 2 (Fort Clarke)

Fort Dodge 2 (Fort Clarke)

Located near important trade routes and waterways, Fort Clarke facilitated interactions between the U.S. government and Native American tribes. Fort Clarke was renamed Fort Dodge on June 25, 1851 ("Historic Forts in Iowa," Historic Forts).