Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Working Women of Fort Snelling
1819-1945
Photographed by Connor Olson, August 31, 2024
1. Working Women of Fort Snelling Marker
Women have been essential to the fort's work throughout its history.
In the early days, many of the working women at the fort were married to soldiers, and some were enslaved by the officers. They worked as laundresses and servants. Women and children often made up as much as a quarter of the fort's population.
By the Civil War, female nurses were serving in Army hospitals. By World War I, the US Army Nurse Corps had been founded. During World War Il, women enlisted in the Women's Army Auxiliary Corps.
[Captions:]
Camp of the 31st Pennsylvania Infantry near Washington, DC, 1862. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division
The US Army first authorized laundresses in 1802. They were in place until the early 1900s, when the Quartermaster Department began running its own laundries.
Women's Army Auxiliary Corps recruiting poster, 1943
Erected by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Women. A significant historical year for this entry is 1819.
Location. 44° 53.581′ N, 93° 10.886′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota,
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: The Sutler Store (here, next to this marker); The Schoolhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Flagpole (within shouting distance of this marker); The Hospital (within shouting distance of this marker); Gatehouse and Guardhouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Round Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Enlisted Barracks (within shouting distance of this marker); DAR Commemorative Plaques (within shouting distance of this marker).
Photographed by Connor Olson, August 31, 2024
2. Working Women of Fort Snelling Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 5, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. This page has been viewed 148 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 5, 2024, by Connor Olson of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
