Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site

As the first permanent U.S. military fort established in Dakota Territory in 1858, Fort Abercrombie was the gateway to the West and spearpoint of the U.S. Army's advance into the northern Plains. Dakota warriors besieged the post for almost six weeks during the U.S.–Dakota War of 1862.
An essential transportation hub, the fort guarded the fur trade era's oxcart trails, military supply wagon trains, and stagecoach routes, as well as steamboat traffic on the Red River. It also provided supplies for wagon trains headed to the Montana goldfields. In 1877 the Army abandoned the fort and the buildings were sold. A Works Progress Administration project reconstructed three blockhouses and the palisade (wooden protection wall) and returned the original military guardhouse to the site.
The site grounds with outdoor interpretive signs are open year-round. Buildings are open and interpretive staff are onsite Memorial Day to Labor Day.