The Round Tower
at Fort Snelling
The Round Tower
at Fort Snelling
Embedded Files
at Fort Snelling
The Round Tower at Fort Snelling, built in 1820, is the fort’s oldest surviving structure and an iconic symbol of Minnesota history. Originally constructed as part of the fort’s defensive system, the limestone tower housed troops and stored supplies. Over time, it has served various roles, including as a prison and guardhouse. Today, it stands as a preserved landmark, offering visitors a tangible link to early 19th-century military life on the American frontier. The Round Tower was restored to its original appearance in 1966 by the Minnesota Historical Society
These first 12 are antique postcards, over a hundred years old.
Unspecified year on this card, but it has a "divided back" so it was after 1907.
Fort Snelling was actively used as a base at least through the end of World War 1.
There must have been a fad for a while to add glitter to some postcards.
This card has an "undivided back" which means it dates from 1907 or before
Bonus Cards
(additional cards not displayed in the 2025 State Fair postcard frame)
This is a Real Photo Postcard (RPPC) of the round tower taken around 1912.
Notice the lack of surrounding wall on this one.
That puts this card before the 1966 rebuilding.
The wall of the fort was rebuilt in the late 1960s
The postmark on the back of this card is from 1908.
Text on the back: "This is the way the Shriners look when out sight-seeing"
The postmark on this card is from 1913
I used a card almost exactly the same as this in the State Fair Entry for 2025.
However, this one has a mast or flagpole on it in what seems like an artistic addition.
Another card with a 1908 postmark.
This card, mailed in 1906, has an "undivided back."
The reverse side was intended only for the address.
The postmark on this card is from 1931
This is a "linen era" card. The manufacturer Curt-Teich used a numbering system, at the bottom right it starts with "5A" which means this card was made in 1935.
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