Wasioja Recruiting Station - Wasioja, MN
N 44° 04.765 W 092° 49.155
15T E 514472 N 4880709
This historical marker can be found on 601st Street in Wasioja, Minnesota.
Waymark Code: WMB0DF
Location: Minnesota, United States
Date Posted: 03/19/2011
Views: 8
Wasioja Recruiting Station
When the Civil War began in 1891. Minnesota was the first state to
offer and send troops to aid the Union cause. In April 1861, this
building was converted to use as a recruiting station. Recruits from the
Wasioja station, numbering over 200, formed the nucleus of Company C
of the Second Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment. They were sworn in by
Colonel James George, who later led them at the Battle of Chickamauga.
Built in 1855 by Colonel George, a mexican war veteran, to serve as
his law office, and as a bank, the building was the meeting center of
the village in the late 1850s. In the years following the Civil War, it
was used as a jail, office, storeroom, post office and private residence.
The Dodge County Historical Society purchased the building in the
early 1860s in order to preserve what was at that time the only
remaining Civil War recruiting station left in Minnesota. In 1987 the
Society undertook a restoration project to return the structure to its
original appearance. The project was completed in July 1988 at the
time of the 125th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg.
The recruiting station stands today as a reminder of the sacrifices made
by the men of Minnesota who fought and died to preserve the Union.
Marker Type:: Roadside
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Visit Instructions:
A photo of the 'Marker' or 'Plaque' is required to identify the location, plus a picture of the 'Historic Site'.