Mankato is usually thought of as just another college town in Minnesota. But what many people don’t realize is that it has a dark past that dates back to the 1860s. On December 26th, 1862, Mankato was the site of the largest mass execution in US history.
The U.S.-Dakota War had come to a close and Lincoln ordered the hanging of 38 Dakota men in Mankato for participating in the massacres.
Wikimedia/Anton Gag 1904 oil on canvas painting by Anton Gag (died 22 May 1908). “Attack on New Ulm”
Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper published this drawing of the scene when the 38 were hanged. Lincoln commuted the death sentences of 264 prisoners, but allowed those 38 to continue. One man was granted a reprieve, as there were originally 303 sentenced.
Wikimedia/W. H. Childs
Today this statue, a buffalo carved out of a 67 tons of local Kasota limestone, sits in Reconciliation Park which serves as a reminder on the site of the execution to pay tribute to the Dakota People.
Thomas Miller
Did you know about this dark moment in Mankato’s past?
Wikimedia/Anton Gag
1904 oil on canvas painting by Anton Gag (died 22 May 1908). “Attack on New Ulm”
Wikimedia/W. H. Childs
Thomas Miller
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