Efforts made to protect land near Fort Juelson

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, July 11, 2008

This year Underwood — with the help of an informal committee headed by Cliff Knutson — is working to enhance the Fort Juelson site east of town and blend in the fort’s history with the annual Underwood Harvest Festival. Celebrating Minnesota’s 150th anniversary prompted this endeavor.

In 1876 settlers near Underwood took precautions for protection following the Battle of the Little Bighorn in Montana. There were fears that violence could spread eastward. Their fears, however, never came to pass. Nonetheless, over the years, the fort site north of Highway 210 became a symbol of pioneer unification.

Underwood native Stan Rudsenske, who now lives in Austin, owns land near Fort Juelson and is willing to donate a portion to Otter Tail County. However, negotiations are not yet complete for the transfer of land.

“We especially want to secure the land between the township road, north of Highway 210, in the area from the Fort Juelson gate eastward to the site of the former fort, atop the hill,” Knutson said.

In all, Rudsenske owns about 10 acres near Fort Juelson. About 2.5 acres are planted in alfalfa. Another 7.5 acres is native prairie.

“Stan is willing to make a land transfer to the county, but he’d like to be relieved of any related transfer expenses,” Knutson said. “Our informal committee will address the county board on this issue July 22.”

Knutson makes it clear that Underwood will be the beneficiary of preservation and enhancements to Fort Juelson. At the same time, the county — if the land transfer goes through as proposed — would have responsibility as the owner of the property.

“Down the road, our informal committee will be organized into a formal group called Friends of Fort Juelson,” Knutson said. “This site is part of Underwood history and also Tordenskjold Township history.”

Knutson’s wife, Phyllis, also serves on the informal committee as does Bert Kinzler and his wife, Cece.

“Development has a ways to go, but we’re getting there,” Knutson said.

Also working with Underwood civic leaders on the Fort Juelson project are Bob Block, Sesquicentennial ambassador for the western part of Otter Tail County, and Chris Schuelke, executive director of the Otter Tail County Historical Society.

Block, also a county commissioner, brought this topic — including the potential land transfer — to fellow commissioners on Tuesday, July 8. He, Knutson and other supporters of the project look forward to the July 22 county board meeting when Fort Juelson will be discussed in more detail.