Fort Ripley (Minnesota fort)

Fort Ripley was a United States Army outpost on the upper Mississippi River, in mid-central Minnesota from 1848 to 1877. It was situated a few miles from the Indian agencies for the Ho-Chunk and Ojibwe in Iowa Territory and then the Minnesota Territory. Its presence spurred immigration into the area and the pioneer settlement of Crow Wing developed approximately 6.75 miles (10.86 km) north of the fort. The post was initially named Fort Marcy. It then was renamed Fort Gaines and in 1850 was renamed again for distinguished Brigadier General Eleazer Wheelock Ripley of the War of 1812. It was the second major military reservation established in what would become Minnesota.

Fort Ripley
the United States
View of Fort Ripley from across the Mississippi River
Fort Ripley
Location in the U.S. state of Minnesota
Coordinates46°10′32″N 94°22′23″W
TypeFort
Area91 square miles (240 km2)
Site information
OwnerUnited States Army
ConditionArchaeological site, one standing building
Site history
Built1848–49
In use1849–1877
FateDecommissioned
Garrison information
Past
commanders
John Blair Smith Todd
Garrison6th Infantry Regiment Co. A
5th Minnesota Infantry Co. C
8th Minnesota Infantry Hq
Designations
Fort Ripley
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location15000 Highway 115, Little Falls, Minnesota
Area5.5 acres (2.2 ha)
NRHP reference No.71000439
Added to NRHPSeptember 10, 1971

In 1971 Fort Ripley was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its state-level significance in the historical archaeology and military history categories. It was nominated for its status as Minnesota's second major military post and for its role in maintaining peace and enabling pioneer settlement in Central Minnesota.

Camp Ripley, a training facility of the Minnesota National Guard, was established in 1929. It includes the historic site of Fort Ripley and was named in its honor. The nearby city of Fort Ripley, Minnesota, was also named for the old outpost.

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