Fort Snelling, Minneapolis (must see)

Fort Snelling is a former military fortification and National Historic Landmark in the U.S. state of Minnesota on the bluffs overlooking the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers. It is on the Dakota homeland of Bdóte with a history spanning thousands of years. The military site was initially named Fort Saint Anthony, but it was renamed Fort Snelling once its construction was completed in 1825.

The former United States Army fortification that was designated a military reservation. That designation placed fort lands outside territorial administration or jurisdiction. Over time the location was part of the Louisiana Purchase and was included in the Missouri Territory. When Missouri became a state in 1812 the land not included became an unorganized territory which included Minnesota west of the Mississippi. When the Wisconsin Territory was formed Minnesota and Fort Snelling were included in the new territory. When Wisconsin gained statehood in 1848 the Minnesota Territory was formed. By an Act of Congress the military reservation was reduced in size on 26 August 1852. It was again reduced on 4 January 1871.

The fort is in the Fort Snelling unorganized territory that is bordered by Hennepin, Ramsey, and Dakota Counties. The Minnesota Historical Society administers Historic Fort Snelling structure. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources administers Fort Snelling State Park at the bottom of the bluff. Fort Snelling once encompassed the park's land. It has been cited as a "National Treasure" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The historic fort is in the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a National Park Service unit.