Monument at Fort Ridgely near Fairfax, Minnesota, 1913 Postcard Reproduction

Nice view of the monument at Fort Ridgely near Fairfax, Minnesota from 1913.

This monument is located at Ft. Ridgely State Park located on County Road 30 near Fairfax. The inscription reads: "In memory of the fallen, in recognition of the living and for the emulation of future generations." Part of the inscription states "Erected A. D. 1896, by the State of Minnesota to preserve the site of Ft. Ridgely, a United States military post established in 1853, and especially to perpetuate the names and commemorate the heroism of the soldiers and citizens of the State, who successfully defended the fort during nine days of seige and investment, August 18-27, 1862, and who gallantly resisted two formidable and protracted assaults upon it, made August 20 and 22, 1862, by a vastly superior force of Sioux Indians under command of Little Crow and other noted Indian leaders and warriors.”

It is important to point out that the monument represents a one-sided viewpoint of the war - the side of the US European-American soldiers and citizens. The monument states that on "August 18, 1862, the Sioux Indians of the Upper Minnesota River, in violation of their treaties, broke into open rebellion, and within a few days thereafter, massacred about one thousand citizens in the southwestern part of the State, and destroyed property of the value of millions of dollars..." The monument does not address the causes of the war, which include broken treaties, fraud, or corruption on the part of the US government and its representatives (Indian traders and agents).

Fairfax is a city in Renville County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,235 at the 2010 census. Minnesota State Highways 4 and 19 are two of the main arterial routes in the city. Fort Ridgely State Park is nearby.

A bit of history, fantastic for dropping friends or family a note the old-fashioned way, and makes a great gift! This is a reproduction of the original 1950s postcard.

4" x 6" postcards

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