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

Fort Snelling's Later Uses

1946-2023

Photographed by McGhiever, October 21, 2024

1. Fort Snelling's Later Uses Marker

Inscription.

Fort Snelling's Later Uses. , After more than a century as a military outpost, the U.S. Army decommissioned Fort Snelling following World War II. The site was transferred to the Veteran's Administration (VA) in 1946. Some of the Upper Post's building were used for medical care. The Hospital served as an annex for the nearby Minneapolis Veteran's Hospital and provided an additional 200 beds for patients. Others were used as administration buildings for the VA staff., Many of the buildings here, including those along Officers' Row, were used as housing for VA staff, doctors, and their families. The non-traditional neighborhood was referred to as "VA City" or "Tower Town," named for the prominent Round Tower at the Lower Post (now Historic Fort Snelling). Residents continued to use the Upper Post's many amenities, including the swimming pool, fieldhouse, and golf course. They formed social clubs, planted gardens, and even gave tours of the Round Tower., "Mrs. John Tramposch Plants Flower Seeds," Minneapolis Daily Times, May 30, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library, "Veteran's Administration at Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library, The U.S. Army Reserve bean using parts of the Upper Post for administration and training facilities in the 1960s. In 1971, the increasingly vacant site was transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. However, the VA continued using the site throughout the 1970s and the U.S. Army Reserve maintained a presence at the Upper Post until 1997. In 2023, after a long renovation project, the Upper Post Flats opened, ready to house new residents., "Washday for Mrs. Frank Fellows," Minneapolis Daily Times, May 30, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library, Children play at the Fort Snelling swimming pool at the Upper Post. "VA City in Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library, Since Fort Snelling wasn't part of either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, residents had their own governing board, a mayor, and even independent police and fire departments. "VA City in Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Henneping County Library

After more than a century as a military outpost, the U.S. Army decommissioned Fort Snelling following World War II. The site was transferred to the Veteran's Administration (VA) in 1946. Some of the Upper Post's building were used for medical care. The Hospital served as an annex for the nearby Minneapolis Veteran's Hospital and provided an additional 200 beds for patients. Others were used as administration buildings for the VA staff.

Many of the buildings here, including those along Officers' Row, were used as housing for VA staff, doctors, and their families. The non-traditional neighborhood was referred to as "VA City" or "Tower Town," named for the prominent Round Tower at the Lower Post (now Historic Fort Snelling). Residents continued to use the Upper Post's many amenities, including the swimming pool, fieldhouse, and golf course. They formed social clubs, planted gardens, and even gave tours of the Round Tower.

"Mrs. John Tramposch Plants Flower Seeds," Minneapolis Daily Times, May 30, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library

"Veteran's Administration at Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library

The

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

U.S. Army Reserve bean using parts of the Upper Post for administration and training facilities in the 1960s. In 1971, the increasingly vacant site was transferred to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. However, the VA continued using the site throughout the 1970s and the U.S. Army Reserve maintained a presence at the Upper Post until 1997. In 2023, after a long renovation project, the Upper Post Flats opened, ready to house new residents.

"Washday for Mrs. Frank Fellows," Minneapolis Daily Times, May 30, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library

Children play at the Fort Snelling swimming pool at the Upper Post. "VA City in Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Hennepin County Library

Since Fort Snelling wasn't part of either Minneapolis or Saint Paul, residents had their own governing board, a mayor, and even independent police and fire departments. "VA City in Fort Snelling," Larry Schreiber, photographer, Minneapolis Morning Tribune, June 27, 1947, Minneapolis Newspaper Photograph Collection, courtesy of the Henneping County Library

Topics.

Photographed by McGhiever, October 21, 2024

2. Fort Snelling's Later Uses Marker

This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1946.

Location. 44° 53.05′ N, 93° 11.568′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It is on Taylor Avenue south of Leavenworth Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6520 Taylor Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55111, United States of America. Touch for directions.

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 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 marker: Growth and Change at the Fort (within shouting distance of this marker); Life Underfoot (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Fort Snelling 1861–1946 (about 600 feet away);

Paid Advertisement

Military Units of Fort Snelling (about 700 feet away); Fun at the Fort (about 800 feet away); Military Training at Fort Snelling (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Upper Post at Fort Snelling (approx. ¼ mile away); Getting Around at the Fort (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 12, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 126 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on June 12, 2025, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.