History of Mankato
From Mankatopedia
Mankato celebrated its sesquicentennial (150 years) in 2002. The city was founded in early February 1852 by Parsons King Johnson and Henry Jackson. The name Mankato comes from the Dakota word for "green-blue earth," a reference to the characteristic blue clay deposits in the region, thought to contain copper by early explorers.
On December 26, 1862, the largest mass execution in U.S. history occurred in Mankato following the Dakota War of 1862. Thirty-eight Dakota Amerindians were hanged for participation in the uprising; a total of 303 were sentenced to be hanged but President Lincoln pardoned 265 at the urging of Bishop Henry Benjamin Whipple. Lincoln's intervention was not popular at the time. Two commemorative statues are located on the site of the hangings (now home to the Blue Earth County Library and Reconciliation Park).
[edit] See also
[edit] External links
- History of Mankato by the MNSU Emuseum.
- History of Blue Earth County
- Historical Mankato photos
