Lower Sioux Agency Historic Site

Destination Sites

How to get there: Located on Redwood County Hwy 2, south of Morton. Two miles east of Jackpot Junction Casino on County highway 2.

What you will find: Trails, gardens, historic warehouse, visitors center

Services at this site: giftshop

The Lower Sioux Agency was established in 1853 by the U.S. government to serve as administrative center for promised goods and services to the Dakota people. Visitors will learn more about the government’s efforts to remove the Bdewakaŋtuŋwaŋ and Waḣpekute bands of Dakota to reservation lands and colonize them into self-sufficient farmers. Explore the history, art, and culture of the Dakota Oyate, (nation) learn how government employees and missionaries sought to change their traditional way of life at the agency, and discover the roots of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 in the visitor center exhibit.

A variety of multi-sensory exhibits and displays provide background to pre-contact Dakota routines, Dakota language, values and gardening. The interpretive center also explorers the contemporary efforts of the Dakota Oyate surrounding reconciliation, healing, community progress & partnerships, and economic development.

The outdoors trails are accessible during the off-season from dawn to dusk. Hikers can investigate the original 1861 agency warehouse and three miles of trails with interpretive signs telling more of the agency’s story. The Lower Sioux Indian Community administers this Minnesota Historical Society Site.

Redwood Ferry Crossing:
There is a cast aluminum marker on Hwy 19 on the North Side of River. There is interpretive content located inside the Visitor’s Center explaining more on this historic location and attack.

Historic Site staff are available for guided tours during the summer seasons. There is a wide-range of cultural & historic programing held throughout the summer; staff is available for outreach presentations, programming and group tours throughout the year.

Things to Do: Destination Site, Museum, U.S. - Dakota War of 1862