Near Carpenter in Mitchell County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Severson
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
1. Fort Severson Marker
Built in 1867 by Nils Severson on his land with help of neighbor's using limestone and mortar of lime & sand from Deer Creek. Severson's design was a typical fort with small openings for rifles and larger openings for gatling guns. The Spirit Lake Massacre and uprising at New Ulm Minnesota prompted the building of forts across North Iowa. This is the only one left standing. Although Indians never came there were some scares. Settlers would come from as far as ten miles to stay here. The building was later used as a stage coach stop on a route between Northwood and St. Ansgar on the Kansas City, Rochester Minnesota stage line. As many as 20 people would sleep on the top floor, meals were served on the first floor. Immigrants would stay while looking for land to settle on. It became a farm building in the 1870's after the railroad came through. Restored in 1972 by local people as a United States bicentennial project. Use of fort & site donated by David & Judy Goplerud. Placed on the National Register of Historic Sites in July 1976.
Maintained by Mitchell County Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1976.
Location. 43° 25.352′ N, 93° 0.658′ W. Marker
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 14 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Deer Creek Lutheran Church Bell (approx. 0.8 miles away); St. Ansgar Freedom Rock Veterans Memorial (approx. 5.6 miles away); First Methodist Episcopal Church (approx. 11.2 miles away); History of Spring Park (approx. 12.9 miles away); Dragoon Trail Historical Site Marker No. 10 (approx. 13.2 miles away); Rock Island Terminal (approx. 13.6 miles away); Strand Stockyards (approx. 13.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Fort Severson. "The Deer Creek settlement felt the need of a fort for shelter and protection. Indians seen scouting along Deer Creek did not put the settlement at ease, and thus Fort Severson became a reality, bearing the date of 1867. It is of typical fort-like construction. The walls, built of native limestone taken from the banks of Deer Creek, are about two feet in thickness." (Submitted on July 26, 2008.)
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
2. Fort Severson and Marker
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
3. Fort Severson
Building #77000540
(Free admission; always open.)
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
4. Inside of Fort Severson
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
5. Fort Severson Sign
Photographed By Keith L, July 22, 2008
6. Road to Fort Severson
Credits. This page was last revised on July 7, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 2,243 times since then and 40 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 26, 2008, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • J. J. Prats was the editor who published this page.
