Lower Sioux Agency State Historic Site
Located on Redwood Co. Hwy #2, south of Morton.
In 1853 the U.S. Government established the Agency to administer treaty obligations with the Dakota people living on reservations along the Minnesota River. Explore the history and culture of the Dakota, learn how government employees and missionaries sought to change their traditional way of life at the agency, and discover the roots of the U.S.-Dakota Conflict of 1862 in the visitor center exhibit. Outdoors, investigate the original 1861 agency warehouse and three miles of trails with interpretive signs telling more of the agency's story. Administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.
507-697-6321
Lower Sioux Community
4 miles SW of Morton, Redwood Co. 2.
The People of the Lower Sioux Indian Community are known as Dakota , and come from the Mdewakanton ("Dwellers by Mystic Lake") band. The Lower Sioux Indian Community (LSIC) is located on approximately 1750 acres held in trust status in southwestern Minnesota, bounded by Redwood County, MN and the Minnesota River. Of the tribal population, 50% live on the reservation with an approximately equal number residing within the 10-mile tribal service zone. Historic sites include St. Cornelia's Church and the Bishop Whipple School Trading Post.
Established by St. John's Episcopal Mission, St. Cornelia's Church served Christian members of the Dakota community living near the Lower Sioux Agency. Begun before the Dakota Conflict of 1862, the church remained unfinished until years later. After being forcibly resettled on reservations in other states, members of the Lower Sioux community gradually returned to Minnesota. The congregation dismantled the incomplete structure and moved the stones to St. Cornelia's present location in 1891, building this Gothic Revival church.
507-697-6288
