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Near Churchill in Chippewa County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
 

Williamson Cabin

Erected 1836

 
 
Williamson Cabin Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Connor Olson, June 29, 2021
1. Williamson Cabin Marker
Inscription. Thomas S. and Margaret Williamson's 1½-story log cabin was completed near this location in December, 1836. One of the first two rooms also served as a church and school until 1841. Missionaries Stephen and Mary Riggs lived in one of the upstairs rooms from their arrival in 1837 until 1843. The hearthstone, originally under the Williamson's stove, was relocated to a Dakota mission in Nebraska in the 1880s, before being returned to the site more recently.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Religion & Religious StructuresSettlements & Settlers. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1837.
 
Location. 45° 1.416′ N, 95° 52.081′ W. Marker is near Churchill, Minnesota, in Chippewa County. It can be reached from 140th Avenue Northwest (County Road 32) 0.1 miles north of 1st Street West (County Road 13), on the right when traveling north. Located at the Lac qui Parle Mission State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Watson MN 56295, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. 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: Acculturation & Autonomy (a few steps from this marker); The ABCFM (a few steps from this marker); Missionaries at Lac qui Parle (a few steps from this marker); Dakotas at Lac qui Parle (a few steps from this
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marker); Huggins Cabin (within shouting distance of this marker); The Dakota (within shouting distance of this marker); Lac qui Parle Mission (within shouting distance of this marker); Lac qui Parle Mission & Fort Renville (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Churchill.
 
Site of Williamson Cabin image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Connor Olson, June 29, 2021
2. Site of Williamson Cabin
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2021. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 316 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos:   1, 2. submitted on July 2, 2021, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.
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Jun. 26, 2026