Reconciliation Park
history
Mankato was originally named “Mahkato,” meaning greenish-blue earth, by its early inhabitants, the Dakota. Mankato is located at the confluence of the Minnesota and Blue Earth Rivers.
1852: Parson King Johnson and Henry Jackson arrived at Sibley Mound on the banks of the Blue Earth River on Feb. 5
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1852: Mankato town site surveyed and platted by S. P. Folsom of St. Paul.
1862: US-Dakota Conflict (Aug. 17-Dec. 26, 1862) Hundreds of white settlers and Dakota lost their lives. The decision to have 38 of 303 Native Americans sentenced to death resulted in the nation’s largest mass execution.
2014 Guide to Visiting & Living in Greater Mankato
1868: Mankato Normal School established and first classes were held in basement of Methodist Episcopal Church by Professor George M. Gage. Building constructed in 1869 on Fifth Street (future MSU).
1868: The Minnesota Valley Railroad completed line to Mankato and first train arrived in Mankato.
1879: Iron truss bridge was first bridge across the Minnesota River between Mankato and North Mankato.
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