Great Depression programs built Fort Ridgely
Many buildings still in use
FORT RIDGELY STATE PARK — More than a dozen people learned about the history of some of the most stoutly built structures at Fort Ridgely State Park Saturday.
Programs created in the Great Depression long ago by President Franklin Roosevelt that put World War I veterans back to work included the Civilian Conservation Corps, (CCC), Veterans Conservation Corps (VCC), and Works Progress Administration (WPA).
Young men built granite structures found at Fort Ridgely and many other Minnesota state parks, said Scott Kudelka, Minneopa Area Naturalist with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
“Men made $30 a month. They kept $5 and had to send the remaining $25 home to their families,” Kudelka said.
Many of the structures built of Morton gneiss stone in the 1930s still stand today. Several of them are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Established in 1911 as a memorial to the Fort Ridgely military post, the state park became more than an historic site. Land was later purchased to allow for the development of campgrounds, picnic areas and a golf course built in 1927.
The Fort Ridgely military site, the only post between Sioux reservations and settlers, was built between 1953 and 1855. On Aug. 20, 1862, many new volunteers were at the fort when a reported group of several hundred Indians, starving from lack of food promised them by White agents, attacked the ill-prepared fort. A number of soldiers were killed and wounded.
Two days later, about twice the number of Indians attacked. The first attack was repelled. Several other attacks took place before a more serious attack took place in the cooler evening. Commanding Officer Lt. Timothy J. Sheehan ordered buildings on the north side of the fort to be set on fire to keep the Indians from reaching them.
Chief Little Crow and several other chiefs remained in the area for a few days until Col. Henry H. Sibley arrived with 1,400 trained militia to repel the advance.
After the last U.S. Army troops closed Fort Ridgely in 1872, buildings were left to deteriorate. Parts of the buildings including many large stones removed by local farmers.
In 1896, the State of Minnesota erected a 52-foot stone and bronze monument to the soldiers and civilian defenders in the former fort parade grounds.
In 1911, the original fort became a state park. Archeological work on the old fort began in late 1936 under the direction of the National Park Service as a part of the Veterans Conservation Corp. camp. All building sites were excavated and the old commissary was reconstructed. It still stands today, along with a building that formerly housed ammunition.
Kudelka led the group through parts of park trails. Plants along the way included hardy Golden Alexanders, attractive to many kinds of butterflies and other insects. They are an excellent source of accessible pollen and nectar to benefit many beneficial insects.
The Minnesota River Paddle will be held at Fort Ridgely from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, June 10. An 8.5 paddle will include bottomland forest and Fort Ridgely Creek flowing into the Minnesota. Register with Kudelka at scott.kudelka@state.mn.us or call 507-384-8890.
The Company B Reenactment will be held 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. June 10-11. Join Civil War re-enactors from Company B, the New Ulm Battery and other groups as they demonstrate what life was like for soldiers during the 1860s. The men will cook their supper over the fire, run musket drills, fire cannons and educate visitors on a typical day at the fort.
Re-enactors arrive Friday night and stay through Sunday, so families are encouraged to stay the weekend and camp at the state park. Cost of the program is included with site admission of $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 veterans/active military and ages 5-17, free age 4 and under and NCHS and MNHS members.
fbusch@nujournal.com
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