Lac qui Parle Mission facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Lac qui Parle Mission Archeological Historic District
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Lac Qui Parle Mission Church (Ruins)
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| Location | Lac qui Parle County / Chippewa County |
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| Nearest city | Watson, Minnesota |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000971 |
| Added to NRHP | March 14, 1973 |
The Lac qui Parle Mission is a historic site in Chippewa County, Minnesota. It was founded in June 1835 by Dr. Thomas Smith Williamson and Alexander Huggins. They came to the area after a fur trader named Joseph Renville invited missionaries.
The name Lac qui Parle comes from the French translation of a Dakota name. It means "lake which speaks." This mission was a very important place for the Dakota people.
At the mission, the first dictionary of the Dakota language was created. Also, parts of the Bible were translated into Dakota for the very first time. Missionaries worked here for almost 20 years.
Joseph Renville had many friends and family in the Native community. After he passed away in 1846, a man named Martin McLeod took over the mission. The relationship between the mission and the Dakota people became difficult. In 1854, the missionaries left the site and moved to the Upper Sioux Agency.
The mission building was rebuilt in 1942 by the Works Progress Administration. Today, the Chippewa County Historical Society manages the site. They work with the Minnesota Historical Society to care for it.
Exploring Fort Renville's History
The Lac qui Parle Mission site is also home to the remains of Fort Renville. This fort was a strong home and trading post. It was built in 1826 by the explorer and fur trader Joseph Renville.
What Was Fort Renville Like?
The fort had two houses and a storage building. A tall fence, called a stockade, surrounded them. There was also a bastion (a strong part of the wall) and a watchtower for protection.
Fort Renville's Importance
Fort Renville was about half a mile from the mission. It was a very important outpost in southwestern Minnesota. It served as a stopping point for traders using the Red River Trails. These trails were major routes for moving goods.
After Joseph Renville died in 1846, the fort was no longer used. In 1940, archaeologists dug up the site to learn more about it. Today, the Minnesota Historical Society protects the remains of the fort. It is not open to the public to visit.
