Madelia in Watonwan County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Fort Cox

Photographed by Liz Koele, November 24, 2021

1. Fort Cox Marker

Inscription.

Fort Cox, also known as Camp Wilkin, was built early in the fall of 1862 by Captain E. St. Julien Cox of St. Peter and his volunteer company of “frontier avengers.” Established by order of Colonel Charles E. Flandrau following the successful defense of New Ulm during the Sioux Uprising, Fort Cox served as an advance outpost in a cordon of crude frontier forts extending from New Ulm to the Iowa border.

Retained in 1863 as a link in a more westerly chain of fortifications, Fort Cox’s small garrison was one of a number that helped patrol the Minnesota Indian frontier from Paynesville southward through Fort Ridgely and nine other posts to Fairmont. Small detachments of troops remained at these posts as late as 1865.

Hexagonal in shape, two stories in height, and constructed of logs, the “strong and artistic fortification” was originally located on St. Paul Street (now Center Avenue) a short distance from this marker.

Erected 1966 by Watonwan County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Settlements & Settlers • Wars, US Indian. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 44° 3.128′ N, 94° 25.009′ W. Marker is in Madelia, Minnesota

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, in Watonwan County. It is on Center Avenue North, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 106 Center Ave N, Madelia MN 56062, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Watonwan County's First Courthouse (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); To the Citizenry of Madelia – 1876 (about 700 feet away); Truss Bridge #6527 (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ole Boxrud (approx. 5.6 miles away); Rosendale Church (approx. 6.1 miles away); Asle Sorbel's Ride (approx. 7.1 miles away); John Armstrong (approx. 7.1 miles away); Norwegian Stabbur (approx. 7.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Madelia.

Photographed by Liz Koele, November 24, 2021

2. Fort Cox Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 593 times since then and 37 times this year. Last updated on November 29, 2022, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 5, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.