The Fergus Falls Daily Journal

• Latest Stories

  • E-Mail 'Authorities search for missing man' To A Friend
  • E-Mail 'Company Drivers & Owner Operators' To A Friend
  • E-Mail 'PHYSICAL THERAPY SPECIALIST' To A Friend
  • E-Mail 'Magnusson sentenced' To A Friend
  • E-Mail 'More bear sightings reported' To A Friend

Fort Juelson deed signed, recorded

A milestone was reached this week with the official signing of the deed for Fort Juelson, making Otter Tail County the owner of 10 acres of land near the former fort two miles east of Underwood, along Highway 210. The land was formerly owned by Underwood native Stanley Rudsenske who now resides in Austin.

A delay in the land transaction in recent months developed due to a legal technicality that dated back to the transfer of the property from a previous owner to Rudsenske’s parents.

“It’s great to finally have the deed signed and officially recorded,” said Cliff Knutson, president of Friends of Fort Juelson. “Now we’re ready to move forward with enhanced projects.”

It’s also celebration time for Friends of Fort Juelson. A recognition banquet will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 15, at the Underwood Community Center. Tickets, for $12 each, can be purchased at the Otter Tail County Historical Society, Farmer’s State Bank of Underwood, Underwood Park Region Telephone Co. and from Friends of Fort Juelson members.

Estimated costs associated with the enhancement of Fort Juelson include

$3,000 for survey site work and costs associated with the transfer of property, $3,500 for a split-rail fence, $12,000 to construct a parking lot,

$4,000 to install lighting to illuminate flags, signs and the parking lot, $1,800 to establish two “Historical Site” signs along Highway 210, $600 to provide an etched boulder to recognize the donor of property and $500 to work with the Otter Tail County Historical Society to establish an interpretive area for Fort Juelson.

When the fort was finished in July 1876, Fort Juelson was, as noted at the interpretive sign at the site, “as sturdy as any Hans Juelson had seen during his time with the Army of the Potomac during the Civil War.”

The effort to establish the fort was led by Juelson and Berge O. Lee who, like Juelson, was a Civil War veteran. The fort is located on a high hill (which today has a flag pole) east of Underwood that’s visible by car while looking north of Highway 210.

The structure was 100 by 120 feet and had four sod walls and two cross walls through the center.

The other three officers on the Friends of Fort Juelson board of directors, in addition to Knutson who is president, are Ron Shebeck, vice president; Janice Weniger, secretary; and Virgil Martinson, treasurer. Friends of Fort Juelson operates within the guidelines of by-laws.