Mankato in Blue Earth County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Tourtellotte Park

Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, July 23, 2026

1. Tourtellotte Park Marker

Inscription. Tourtellotte Park is named for Colonel John E. Tourtellotte--a lawyer, Civil War veteran and Mankato philanthropist. Tourtellotte was born July 3, 1833 in Connecticut. He opened a law practice in Mankato in 1857. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, he recruited and commanded his own volunteer military company known as the "Valley Sharpshooters." It became Company H of the 4th Minnesota Infantry.

After the war, Tourtellotte returned to Mankato, where he resumed his law practice. Within six months he left Mankato to take a commission in the regular U.S. Army and served in a number of distinguished positions until he retired in 1885.

In 1888, Tourtellotte donated $8,000 for the construction of the city's first hospital. Tourtellotte Hospital operated at Fourth Avenue and Maxfield Street until 1906. Tourtellotte died in 1891.

In 1927, the City of Mankato recognized Tourtellotte's earlier generosity by naming an abandoned railway right-of-way on North Fourth Street "Tourtellotte Parkway." The stone marker remains.

Tourtellotte Park was created in 1939 through the Works Progress Administration (a Great Depression

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work program). A swimming pool, wading pool, and bathhouse were opened to the public on June 30, 1940. The pools and bathhouse were renovated in 1983. Additions to the park over the years include tennis courts, picnic areas, pavilions, softball fields, playground and water slides.

This site was locally designated as a Heritage Preservation Landmark in 2016.

Erected by Blue Earth County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1940.

Location. 44° 11.033′ N, 93° 59.087′ W. Marker is in Mankato, Minnesota, in Blue Earth County. It is at the intersection of N 2nd Street and E. Mabel Street, on the right when traveling north on N 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mankato MN 56001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota and specifically in the Minnesota

Photographed by Koen Schneidawind, July 23, 2026

2. Tourtellotte Park Marker

River Valley.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

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

and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Riverfront Park (approx. one mile away); Washington Park / Fourth Street Route Depot Grounds (approx. 1.2 miles away); Reconciliation Park (approx. 1.4 miles away); Dakota (Sioux) Memorial – 1862 (approx. 1.4 miles away); Minnesota River Steamboating (approx. 1.4 miles away); Korean War (approx. 1.4 miles away); Reconciliation and Remembrance (approx. 1.4 miles away); Tanley Field (approx. 1½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mankato.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 27, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 27, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 15 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 27, 2026, by Koen Schneidawind of Mankato, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.