Fort Totten in Benson County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Fort Totten Historic Site
North Dakota History
Named in honor of Brevet Major General Joseph Gilbert Totten, Fort Totten protected overland transportation and communication routes from Minnesota to the Missouri River and Montana. In addition, the treaty of February 19, 1867, provided for a Sioux reservation near Devils Lake and small groups of Sisseton, Wahpeton and Cuthead Sioux quickly moved into the area. The military provided provisions and protection until 1871 when the Indian population was large enough to allow an agency. The fort then assisted the agency with the process of acculturation of the native peoples.
The original fort, built in 1867, consisted of crude log structures surrounded by a stockade of oak logs and was located 800 yards to the north. Work on the permanent post began a year before Congress authorized funds on April 6, 1869, and it is this 1868-1871 development that stands almost intact today. Outside the parade ground and surrounding square were the stables, quartermasters storehouses, sinks, bath houses and other service buildings. Fort Totten was an infantry garrison until 1873; thereafter, two or three infantry companies and one or two cavalry companies manned the post until it closed.
As the residents of Devils Lake Reservation became more self-sufficient, the military presence became unnecessary and even detrimental to Indian progress. The fort was abandoned in 1890 and Congress approved transfer of the facilities to the Department of Interior for use as an Indian School. In 1960, Fort Totten was turned over to the state for preservation as an historic site.
Erected 1975 by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Forts and Castles • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1867.
Location. 47° 58.631′ N, 98° 59.583′ W. Marker is in Fort Totten, North Dakota, in Benson County. Marker can be reached from Calvary Circle just north of Calvary Road (1st Avenue). The marker is located on the south side of the Fort Totten square, just inside the gate. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 417 Calvary Circle, Fort Totten ND 58335, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Memorial to the Area Veterans (approx. 10 miles away); Landing of the Steamboat "Minnie H." (approx. 10.8 miles away); Works Progress Administration Project (approx. 11 miles away); Keating's Furniture Annex (approx. 11.1 miles away); Nash-Finch Company (approx. 11.1 miles away); Woolworth's (approx. 11.1 miles away); Jamieson Block (approx. 11.1 miles away); Mac's Lounge (approx. 11.1 miles away).
More about this marker. Fort Totten State Historic Site is open seasonally during normal business hours and on weekends. A nominal fee is required to tour the site, buildings and exhibits.
Regarding Fort Totten Historic Site. National Register of Historic Places #71000629.
From the National Register Nomination:
The Fort Totten State Historic Site, administered by the State Historical Society of North Dakota, is one of the best preserved military posts of the Trans-Mississippi West dating back to the Indian hostilities era. Most of the buildings comprising the square surrounding the center of the post, remain intact.
Also see . . .
1. Fort Totten State Historic Site (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
During its 13 years of operation as a fort, Fort Totten was used during the American Indian wars to enforce the peace among local Native American tribes and to protect transportation routes. After its closing in 1890, it operated until 1959 as a Native American boarding school, called the Fort Totten Indian Industrial School.(Submitted on September 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Fort Totten State Historic Site. Excerpt:
Fort Totten served American Indian policy from 1867 to 1959. Constructed as a military post, it became an Indian boarding school, Indian health care facility, and a reservation school. Initially, the fort policed the surrounding reservation. The soldiers enforced the peace, guarded overland transportation routes, and aided Dakota (Sioux) who lived near Devils Lake after 1867. On January 5th, 1891 the former post became the property of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The post served as an Indian boarding school until 1935. Academic and vocational training prepared Indian youth for life off the reservation. Enrollment sometimes topped 400.(Submitted on September 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on December 3, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 119 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 2, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on September 3, 2023, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 15. submitted on November 29, 2023, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland.