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Fort Ridgely's construction
began in 1853 and by April 1855 many of the buildings were already completed. Post records indicate three civilian craftsman
still at the post - a blacksmith , a master carpenter and an engineer.
Located north of the Minnesota River, the
site for Fort Ridgely met the requirments for building material, drinking water and forage for animals and soldiers alike,
and sufficient land for training purposes.
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A view of Fort Ridgely and its changes over
time. The contemporary sketch above depicts the outpost as it looked both before and during the U.S.-Dakota Conflict
of 1862. Throughout the 14 years of service as a fort, there were gradual changes in the use of the buildings and placement.
For example, a stables for army mules and oxen appears on period sketches and maps northeast of the parade grounds.
In later sketches, a stables appears south of the parade grounds (this would later be burned during the fighting to deny attackers
a forward firing position.)
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Fort Ridgely as it appears today. Note
the foundations where the officer's quarters, post commandant and surgeon's quarters and log buildings once stood. Circles
are the location of interpretive plaques that describe the buildings.
After all soldiers left Fort Ridgely in 1874 (many
for duties even farther west), settlers in the Minnesota River Valley took what building materials they could
for their own dwellings. A portion of the commissary and the foundations remained after the
supplies were exhausted.
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