Superior in Douglas County, Wisconsin — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Old Stockade Site
Photographed by Christopher Light, July 11, 2009
1. Old Stockade Site Marker
The Sioux uprising in Minnesota during the Summer of 1862, culminating in the New Ulm Massacre, caused great alarm in Superior. A Committee of Safety was chosen, a Home Guard organized, and a stockade built on the bay shore here. An inventory of all firearms in Superior revealed a total of 60 shotguns, rifles and pistols. The state sent 192 muskets and 2 cannon. To assist the Home Guard, the Governor sent a company of Wisconsin soldiers that had been captured by the Confederates at Shiloh and paroled. This Company was called back for Civil War duty in the Summer of 1863 and was replaced by other Wisconsin paroled soldiers. The Chippewas residing in this vicinity remained friendly to the whites. By August, 1863, the Sioux in Minnesota had been overcome and most of the soldiers left Superior. Eventually the stockade was abandoned.
Erected 1954 by City of Superior Citizens. (Marker Number 15.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • Notable Events • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Wisconsin Historical Society series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.
Location. 46° 42.703′ N, 92° 3.197′ W. Marker is in Superior, Wisconsin, in Douglas
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Duluth The Twin Ports and on the North Shore. It is also in the American Midwest, on the Great Lakes, in the Corn Belt, and on Lake Superiors South Shore Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Great North Woods, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Duluth-Superior Harbor (a few steps from this marker); S.S. Edmund Fitzgerald (approx. 0.6 miles away); S.S. Meteor (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wartime Shipbuilding (approx. 1.1 miles away); The University of Wisconsin-Superior (approx. 1.7 miles away); The Superior Entry (approx. 1.9 miles away); Superior Entry South Breakwater Light (approx. 2.1 miles away); Burial Ground of the Fond du Lac Band (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Superior.
Another marker is no longer nearby. Burlington Northern Ore Docks (was approx. 1.7 miles away but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Greta Schassler, September 26, 2025
2. Old Stockade Site Marker
Photographed by Christopher Light, July 11, 2009
3. Old Stockade Site Marker with Gazebo
Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011
4. Old Stockade Site and Marker
Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011
5. Nearby Marker
Photographed by Christopher Light, July 11, 2009
6. Location of the old stockade
Photographed by Keith L, June 12, 2011
7. Nearby Marker
Photographed by Christopher Light, July 11, 2009
8. Marker on the actual site of the stockade
This Tablet markes the site of the stockade built by the U.S. Government in 1862-63 for the protection of Superior Citizens from Chippewa and Sioux Indian uprisings.
Superior Womans Club
Photographed by Greta Schassler, September 26, 2025
9. Old Stockade Site Time Capsule
There is a time capsule near the marker, likely installed at time of marker dedication.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. This page has been viewed 3,373 times since then and 109 times this year. Last updated on August 2, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin. Photos: 1. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 2. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. 3. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 4, 5. submitted on June 16, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 6. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 7. submitted on June 16, 2011, by Keith L of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin. 8. submitted on July 31, 2009, by Christopher Light of Valparaiso, Indiana. 9. submitted on September 26, 2025, by Greta Schassler of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.
