Near Fairfax in Nicollet County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Four Days From Fort Snelling
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013
1. Four Days From Fort Snelling Marker
The steamer West Newton left St. Paul on April 26, 1853, transporting the first soldiers to the site of the new post. It took four days to get from Fort Snelling to Fort Ridgely. John P. Owens, passenger and editor of The Minnesotian, noted that the river serpentine so much that he expected to find it "tied up in a double bow knot." Owens described crowded conditions on the boat:
Soldiers and soldiers' wives and soldiers' stores and soldiers' equipment—soldiers' cattle and soldiers' dogs are huddled together and strewn about the boat.
Building Fort Ridgely
Once they arrived at the fort's site, the soldiers and some hired civilians cleared the land, milled wood, and quarried stone for the buildings. Originally all the fort's buildings were to be made of local granite. Because of time and cost, however, only two buildings—the barracks and the commissary—were actually granite. The rest were made of wood. The workers found these granite boulders on the prairie and used them as foundation stones.
Fort Ridgely
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles
this page online
Location. 44° 27.189′ N, 94° 44.094′ W. Marker is near Fairfax, Minnesota, in Nicollet County. Marker can be reached from County Highway 30, 1.1 miles west of State Highway 4, on the right when traveling west. Marker is in Fort Ridgely State Park; fee area – a Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 72404 County State Aid Highway 30, Fairfax MN 55332, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Economic Engine (here, next to this marker); This Fort Had a Purpose (a few steps from this marker); A Minority in Their Homeland / U.S.-Dakota Conflict (a few steps from this marker); Reinforcements Arrive (a few steps from this marker); Fort Ridgely (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ridgely Closes (within shouting distance of this marker); Officers' Quarters—C (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Ridgely State Monument (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fairfax.
More about this marker. caption:
David Geister,
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013
2. Four Days From Fort Snelling Marker
Also see . . .
1. History of Steamboating on the Minnesota River. Internet Archive website entry:
"To help carry the baggage, [the West Newton] had two barges in tow. The Tiger had also departed from St. Paul on the 25th, and the Clarion on the 26th, each with a couple of barges in tow, heavily loaded with supplies for the new fort and the agencies." (Submitted on January 28, 2014.)
2. Fort Ridgely History. Minnesota Historical Society website entry: (Submitted on June 19, 2023, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Additional commentary.
1. The Naming of Fort Ridgely
By a military order issued on June 27, 1853, Secretary of War Jefferson Davis names the fort in honor of one of three brothers (or perhaps all three) who were killed in the Mexican War.
sources: Minnesota as Seen by Travelers, The Minnesota Book of Days, and History of Weather Observations - Fort Ridgely, Minnesota
— Submitted January 28, 2014.
Photographed By K. Linzmeier, October 25, 2013
3. Fort Ridgely Historic Site
marker is at the right side of the photo
Credits. This page was last revised on June 19, 2023. It was originally submitted on January 28, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 511 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 28, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin.
