Fort Sisseton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
Fort Sisseton
|
|
Officers' quarters, photographed 2017
|
|
 Location in South Dakota
Location in the United States
|
|
| Nearest city | Britton, South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Area | 35 acres (14 ha) |
| Built | 1864 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73001745 |
| Added to NRHP | May 10, 1973 |
Fort Sisseton is a historic place near Britton, South Dakota. It was first built in 1864. Today, it is known as Fort Sisseton Historic State Park. It became a State Historical Park in 1959. This fort is so important that it is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.
You can still see 14 of its original buildings! The fort covers about 35 acres of land. It was added to the National Register in 1973. This listing included 15 important buildings and 9 special sites.
The United States Army used Fort Sisseton from 1864 to 1889. Cavalry and infantry soldiers lived there. The fort was first called Fort Wadsworth. But its name was changed to Fort Sisseton on August 29, 1876. This happened because there was already a Fort Wadsworth in New York. The new name honored the Sisseton band of Sioux people. They helped the fort by providing scouts.
Visiting Fort Sisseton
Fort Sisseton State Park hosts a fun festival every year. It takes place on the first weekend of June. At the festival, you can enjoy entertainment. You can also watch people reenact activities from the fort's past. It's a great way to see what life was like long ago!
African-American Soldiers at Fort Sisseton
Did you know that special soldiers called "Buffalo Soldiers" lived at Fort Sisseton? Companies E and G of the 25th Infantry Regiment were African-American units. They moved to Fort Sisseton in May 1884. This happened after another fort, Fort Hale, was no longer used. These companies stayed at Fort Sisseton until 1888. Then, they were moved to other places.
