150th anniversary of 1862 war begins

(Wood Lake battle site, MPR file photo)

The West Central Tribune is reporting that an easement agreement to preserve the 1862 Wood Lake battle site in southwest Minnesota has been signed. The farmland, creek and woods were the scene of the final battle in the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

That war will receive plenty of attention over the next year since 2012 is the 150th anniversary of the conflict. One of the first events is a six lecture series about the war presented by Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter and the Nicollet County Historical Society.

The first speech is next Wednesday, Jan. 4, at 4 pm in the Melva Lind Interpretive Center on the campus. The final lecture is on Jan. 26.

Nicollet County Historical Society Executive Director Ben Leonard said the speeches will give the public a chance to "immerse themselves in the history" of a complicated event.

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