Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
St. Peters Agency
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
1. St. Peters Agency Marker
In 1820 the US government established an Indian agency near the site of Fort Snelling. Located near where Highways 5 and 55 intersect today, the agency was supervised by a civilian agent. The agent's duties were to manage the region's fur trade and cultivate positive relations with Native American tribes. The agent worked to maintain peace in the region and promoted the government's assimilation policy toward Native Americans.
From 1820 to 1851 the St. Peters Agency was a hub of diplomacy between the US government and sovereign Native American tribes, who frequently met with the agent to discuss political and economic issues. The agency complex included a council house for meetings, residences for agency employees and visitors, and trade shops.
After the 1851 Treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota, the St. Peters Agency was replaced by the Upper (Yellow Medicine) and Lower (Redwood) Sioux Agencies located on the newly established Dakota reservation. By 1853 most of the Dakota who lived near the St. Peters Agency moved to the reservation, and the agency was closed.
[Caption:]
St. Peters Agency seal used by Lawrence Taliaferro, 1820-39.
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these
this page online
Location. 44° 53.549′ N, 93° 10.939′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker can be reached from John A. Johnson Memorial Highway (Route 5) north of Great River Road (Minnesota Route 62), on the right when traveling north. The marker is at Historic Fort Snelling, on the paved path between the visitor center and the old fort. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Tower Avenue, Minneapolis MN 55417, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Three Sisters Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); Executions at Fort Snelling (within shouting distance of this marker); Imprisonment of Dakota Families (within shouting distance of this marker); US–Dakota War of 1862 (within shouting distance of this marker); Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); Perseverance (within shouting distance of this marker); Sacrifice (within shouting distance
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
2. St. Peters Agency Marker at Historic Fort Snelling
Credits. This page was last revised on August 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 1, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 69 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 1, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
