Near Granite Falls in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Agency Homes

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 21, 2020

1. Agency Homes Marker

Inscription. The 1860 US census list a population of 245 in Renville County from a statewide population of 172,023. About 100 people lived here at the Upper Sioux Agency in August, 1862, in homes such as this one built for families of government employees. Cellar depressions mark the locations of the homes. The Indian Agent, assistant agent, warehouse clerk, and blacksmith were among those who lived at this location. How the frame and log homes looked is not known, but appears that the sellers have wood floors, plastered walls, and walk out entrances. A root cellar and a cistern are also visible. Halfway down the ravine is the spring that supplied water to the Agency. All buildings at the Agency were looted and burned during the six-week U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1860.

Location. 44° 44.137′ N, 95° 27.298′ W. Marker is near Granite Falls, Minnesota, in Yellow Medicine County. It can be reached from Minnesota River Valley

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Scenic Byway, on the right when traveling north. Located in the Upper Sioux Agency State Park picnic area at Picnic Trail. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5908 MN-67, Granite Falls MN 56241, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and on the Great Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yellow Medicine City (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Employee Duplex No. 2 (about 600 feet away); The Manual Labor School (about 600 feet away); Employee Duplex No. 1 (approx. 0.2 miles away); Upper Sioux Agency (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Annuity Center/Warehouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Upper (Or Yellow Medicine) Sioux Agency (approx. 0.2 miles

Cellar depression image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 21, 2020

2. Cellar depression

away); Mazomani (approx. 0.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Granite Falls.

Also see . . . Wikipedia article on the Dakota War of 1862. (Submitted on July 29, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 29, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 29, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 406 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 29, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. A wide shot of the marker and its surroundings. • Can you help?