By Tom Hintgen

Otter Tail County Correspondent

Fort Juelson, a county park since 2011 and located two miles east of Underwood in Tordenskjold Township, commemorated its 150th founding year on Friday, June 26. 

The earthen fort was constructed in July 1876 following the defeat of George Armstrong Custer’s Seventh Calvary in eastern Montana. A small group of Norwegian immigrants near Underwood decided to make a stand, while many others fled, by constructing a fort atop a hill 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.

Among the speakers June 26, during the 150th Anniversary of Fort Juelson Ceremony, was Cliff Knutson who has led the enhancement of the Fort Juelson site the past several years. “Today we recognize the sacrifices of early settlers in this area,” he said. Knutson also is the author of “Fort Juelson and the Indian Scare of 1876.”

The commemoration event was hosted by the Friends of Fort Juelson and the Otter Tail County Historical Society. MC Chris Schuelke, recently retired executive director of the historical society, reminded attendees that the hill and adjoining property is the final resting place for many Native Americans from previous centuries.

Fort Juelson was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2013 following an archaeological evaluation of the site.

“We value the perseverance of the early settlers who established Fort Juelson,” said County Commissioner Kurt Mortenson of rural Underwood. “Today we honor the past and carry lessons learned into the future.”

State Sen. Jordan Rasmusson of Fergus Falls thanked current residents who have worked to preserve the Fort Juelson site. “Settlers who established Fort Juelson in 1876 were closer to the nation’s founding, in 1776, than to where we are today, in 2026,” he said.

Stanley Rudsenske, who donated the land on which Fort Juelson was built to Otter Tail County in 2010, expressed appreciation for organizers of the June 26 commemoration. 

Also speaking was Margaret Miller, the great-granddaughter of Syrak Bjorge who was one of the builders of the fort. She donated his bear gun to the county historical museum. That firearm was used in 1876 to make certain that the earthen walls at Fort Juelson were strong enough. 

Many people arrived at the fort site for the celebration on shuttle wagons starting in Underwood. After the late afternoon ceremony, attendees enjoyed a Underwood Lions Club pork chop supper. Many attendees walked to the top of the hill to view the Fort Juelson site.

The ceremony on June 26 included Perham’s Lake Country Mountaineers Black Powder Club which fired their cannon. Underwood band and choir members also participated at the event as did many volunteers who helped make the commemoration a big success. The event also included other historic sites in the Underwood area.

A commemorative brass coin of Fort Juelson, two sided, can by purchased for $10 at the county museum Here is a link to the webpage where people can buy commemorative coins. https://otchs.org/fjc.html

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. 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.