Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

U.S. Army, Buildings 17 and 18

Historic Fort Snelling

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 14, 2014

1. U.S. Army, Buildings 17 and 18 Marker

Inscription. Built in 1904-05 by the U.S. Army, Buildings 17 and 18 were constructed as double barracks to house cavalry troops. By 1911 the cavalry had left Fort Snelling, but the buildings continued to house troops through the early 1940s as the post grew in size. By the mid-1940s, Military Intelligence Service Language School students, most of whom were second-generation Japanese Americans studying to become interpreters and translators, were quartered in the buildings.

After the post was deactivated in 1946, the Veterans Administration (VA) converted Buildings 17 and 18 into an outpatient clinic. The two-story porches were removed and a connecting link between the buildings was added. The facility handled more than 60,000 patients each year. The buildings have been vacant since the VA moved out in the mid-1980s.

Recent work on the structures, using State of Minnesota funds, has included asbestos abatement, exterior brick tuck-pointing, repair of the infill roofs, and total slate roof replacement. The Minnesota Historical Society is currently studying the buildings to determine their best use.

Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles. In

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addition, it is included in the Minnesota Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1911.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 44° 53.585′ N, 93° 11.017′ W. Marker was in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It could be reached from Tower Avenue 0.3 miles east of Bloomington Road. Marker is at Historic Fort Snelling. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 200 Tower Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55111, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found 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 location: Sacrifice (within shouting distance of this marker); Perseverance (within shouting distance of this marker); Pride (within shouting distance of this marker); US–Dakota War of 1862 (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Imprisonment of Dakota Families (about 300 feet away); Executions at Fort Snelling (about 300 feet away); DAR Commemorative Plaques (about 400 feet away); Service (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.

Another marker is no longer nearby. The Prairie (was within

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 14, 2014

2. U.S. Army, Buildings 17 and 18 Marker

shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

More about this marker. photo captions:
• Men on snowshoes pulling machine gun, Fort Snelling, 1923. MNHS collections.
• Cavalry barracks, Fort Snelling, 1909. Courtesy Todd Hintz.

Also see . . . Historic Fort Snelling. Minnesota Historical Society website entry (Submitted on January 21, 2026, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

U.S. Army Building and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 14, 2014

3. U.S. Army Building and Marker

U.S. Army Buildings image. Click for full size.

Photographed by K. Linzmeier, June 14, 2014

4. U.S. Army Buildings

Connecting link between the buildings.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 28, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 1,121 times since then and 27 times this year. Last updated on August 4, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 28, 2014, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.