Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Schoolhouse
Reconstructed (Original 1824-78)
Photographed by Connor Olson, August 31, 2024
1. The Schoolhouse Marker
The fort's first students were the children of Col. Josiah Snelling and his officers.
Later, enlisted soldiers and their children took classes at the schoolhouse. Over time other school buildings were erected. Beginning in the 1930s, the fort's children attended public schools.
During World War II, the post housed an entirely new kind of school. Soldiers (mostly second-generation Japanese Americans) enrolled in the Military Intelligence Service Language School. They prepared to serve as linguists and translators by studying the Japanese language.
Captions:
This photo of the last post school, on the upper post just behind and south of headquarters, was published in the 1905 US Army Quartermaster property ledger.
Japanese American soldiers at Fort Snelling's Military Intelligence Service Language School, 1945. St. Paul Dispatch-Pioneer Press photograph
Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1824.
Location. 44° 53.562′ N, 93° 10.895′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It can be reached from Tower Avenue. Touch for map
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and in the Great River Road Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts 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: Gatehouse and Guardhouse (a few steps from this marker); Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker); The Sutler Store (within shouting distance of this marker); Working Women of Fort Snelling (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Three Sisters Garden (within shouting distance of this marker); The Round Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); DAR Commemorative Plaques (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.
Photographed by Connor Olson, August 31, 2024
2. The Schoolhouse and Marker
Photographed by Connor Olson, August 31, 2024
3. The Schoolhouse
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 1, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 181 times since then and 19 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 1, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
