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

The Manual Labor School

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 21, 2020

1. The Manual Labor School Marker

Inscription. In its ongoing attempt to assimilate the Dakota into white society, the U.S. Government built an Agency school with a curriculum that included reading and writing English, math, agriculture, sewing, and carpentry. Erected in 1859, the building was used as a school only until 1861. The effort failed due to a combination of friction over government policies and the prior existence of mission schools in the area.

Before the school’s destruction during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, it briefly housed U.S troops from Fort Ridgely. Constructed of brick and featuring three gabled ends, the school was the most expensive and elaborate building on the Agency. The first floor contained classrooms and a combined carpentry/blacksmith shop. The second floor served as living quarters for teachers.

Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1859.

Location. 44° 44.11′ N, 95° 27.169′ W. Marker is near Granite Falls, Minnesota, in Yellow Medicine County. It can be reached from Highway 67, on the right when traveling north. Located at the Upper Sioux Agency State Park. 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.

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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: Employee Duplex No. 2 (a few steps from this marker); Employee Duplex No. 1 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Upper Sioux Agency (about 400 feet away); The Annuity Center/Warehouse (about 400 feet away); Upper (Or Yellow Medicine) Sioux Agency (about 500 feet away); Agency Homes (about 600 feet away); Yellow Medicine City (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mazomani (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Granite Falls.

Site of the Manual Labor School image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Connor Olson, July 21, 2020

2. Site of the Manual Labor School

Credits. This page was last revised on July 31, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 377 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2020, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.