Historic Fort Juelson

The earthen fort was constructed in July 1876 in response to rumors that American Indians were attacking homesteads and villages in the region. Even though no attack was imminent, Tordenskjold township pioneers chose to complete the fort for future protection. It was reportedly used for several nights a few years later following another rumor of impending Indian attack. The remains of the earthen barricade are still visible on this site. Additional information on historic Fort Juelson may be found at the Otter Tail County Historical Society in Fergus Falls.

Wikipedia: Fort Juelson, designated 21OT198 in the state archaeological inventory, is a historic site located east of Underwood, Minnesota, United States. An earthen fort was built at this hilltop in July 1876 after rumors of Indian attacks in Foxhome, French, and Fergus Falls following the Battle of Little Bighorn in Montana.^[3] Many settlers left the area. Charles A. Dollner, a local merchant, suggested the rest of the people band together and build the fortification under leadership of two American Civil War veterans, Hans Juelson and Berge O. Lee. The scare proved to be a hoax, and the fort was never used for defensive purposes.^[4] Remnants of the sod barricade are still on the site.

It was discovered that the fort was built on the site of a Woodland period burial mound group, which is also a part of this historic designation. It is made up of four small elliptical and linear burial mounds. Two of the mounds were located inside the fort, one was along the western wall of the fort, and one is located 12 metres (39 ft) west of the fort. The site was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2013.^[1]