Near Lake City in Marshall County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fort Wadsworth 1864

Fort Sisseton 1876

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 6, 2015

1. Fort Wadsworth 1864 Marker

Inscription. Major John Clowney, 30th Wisconsin Infantry with Cos. B. E. G. and K, Captains Burton, Devlin, Swain & Klatt, started the fort on 1 August 1864, pursuant to orders of General John Pope, Department Commander. They were mostly from the north woods and chopped and whittled out the post. Huge logs, a couple of inches above a dirt embankment, dug from a ditch in front, provided loopholes. Two hewn log blockhouses on the NW and SE corners provided enfilading fire. Major Clowney said he could resist all the redskins in the Northwest. It was named for Gen. James W. Wadsworth, killed in the Battle of the Wilderness, April 2nd, 1864. When Col. Thomas’ column arrived after the Battle of Killdeer Mountain, going east on September 28th, 1864, the 30th Wisconsin marched with him and Major Robert H. Rose, 2nd Minn. Cavalry, remained as commander and to complete the post. It was renamed Ft. Sisseton in 1876. The garrisons after the 2nd Minnesota were 1866, 10th US Infantry; 1870, 20th US Infantry; 1873 17th US Infantry, when the name was changed; 1885, 25th US Infantry, (Colored); 1888, 3rd US Infantry and Capt. Joe Hale, of the 3rd, was

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commanding officer when the Fort was abandoned June 1st, 1889. For 25 years it was the military and social center of a large area and all of the original log buildings had been replaced by stone and frame structures, which in the 1930’s were rehabilitated.

Erected 1964 by South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks Commission. (Marker Number 371.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 2, 1864.

Location. 45° 44.82′ N, 97° 31.265′ W. Marker is near Lake City, South Dakota, in Marshall County. It is on South Dakota Route 10 0.2 miles east of 434th Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lake City SD 57247, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

Fort Wadsworth Dakota Map (backside of marker) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 6, 2015

2. Fort Wadsworth Dakota Map (backside of marker)

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Post Cemetery (approx. 6.1 miles away); Stable (approx. 6.1 miles away); Wealth of Wildlife (approx. 6.1 miles away); Fort Sisseton Military Reservation, Dakota Territory (approx. 6.1 miles away); Blockhouse and Breastworks (approx. 6.1 miles away); Senator Curt Jones and Fort Sisseton (approx. 6.1 miles away); Governor William J. Janklow and Fort Sisseton (approx. 6.1 miles away); Andrew Jackson Fisk Historic Trail (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Lake City.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 6, 2015

3. Fort Wadsworth 1864 Marker

Fort Sisseton State Park (six miles south) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Ruth VanSteenwyk, December 6, 2015

4. Fort Sisseton State Park (six miles south)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 16, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 2,572 times since then and 140 times this year. Last updated on August 21, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 16, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.