By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Fort Juelson, a county park since 2011 and located two miles east of Underwood in Tordenskjold Township, is commemorating its 150th anniversary this year. Tours of Fort Juelson on Friday, June 26, also include other historic sites in the Underwood area.

“A longer tour starts at 2 p.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m. with a tour of Fort Juelson, and a shorter tour starts at 4 p.m. and also ends with the tour and commemoration of Fort Juelson at 4:30 p.m.,” says Delores Peterson, vice chairman of Friends of Fort Juelson.

Cliff Knutson, leading the enhancement of the Fort Juelson site the past several years, is excited about the activities planned for late June. Knutson is the author of “Fort Juelson and the Indian Scare of 1876” and member of the Friends of Fort Juelson.

The longer tour of 21 historic sites in the Underwood area, starting at 2 p.m. June 26, will be in shuttle wagons with canopies. The $10 fee includes an Underwood Lions pork chop, potato chips, cookie and beverage. The starting point for the longer tour is the Underwood School parking lot. The shorter tour, starting at 4 p.m., also costs $10 and includes the pork chop, other food and beverage. The starting point for the shorter tour will be the Sverdrup Lutheran Church parking lot.

Rides are free to those age 18 and under. They still must register so that event planners know how many shuttles to have ready.

People can drive directly to the fort if they so desire for the 4:30 p.m. commemoration. Admission is also $10 and incudes food and beverage.

Registrations and fees are due June 1 and can be sent to Friends of Fort Juelson, c/o Anne Stenoien, 25710 320th Avenue, Underwood, MN 56586.  If Friday, June 26 is a rainy day, the tours will still be held using covered wagons and the 150th commemoration will be held inside the Underwood School at 4:30 p.m. 

A commemorative brass coin of Fort Juelson, two sided, can by purchased for $10. The coin will be available for purchase on June 26.

Here is a link to the webpage where people can buy the tour tickets and commemorative coins. https://otchs.org/fjc.html

More about Fort Juelson

This historic site is dedicated to county residents. The site was donated to the county as a gift from Stanley Rudsenske, owner of the land.

The Fort Juelson site offers 10 acres of native prairie with a bounty of wildflowers and grasses. Most of the land has remained natural without being tilled or planted for crops. Visitors may walk the trails and enjoy the scenic view. 

Benches are placed along the trail for hikers to rest and reflect on the beautiful setting. Interpretive signs are located at the site, and there is ample parking for visitors.

The June 1876 defeat of George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry near the Little Big Horn River in eastern Montana sent shock waves across the northern plains. A small group of Norwegian immigrants near Underwood decided to make a stand by constructing a hilltop and fort two miles east of Underwood. This task was led by Hans Juelson and Berge O. Lee.

Fortunately, the fort was not needed. Settlers were, however, praised for their courage and resourcefulness in preparing for their own defense in Tordenskjold Township. The opening ceremony on June 26 will include Perham’s Lake Country Mountaineers Black Powder Club.

The park is open to the public daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., April 30 through Nov. 1. To learn more about the history of the fort and Otter Tail County, visit the Otter Tail County Historical Society at 1110 West Lincoln Avenue in Fergus Falls. (otchs.org). Their phone number is (218) 736-6038.