Mankato, Minnesota: Largest U.S. Mass Hanging Site

On December 26, 1862, 35 Santee Sioux and three French/Native American men were simultaneously hanged by the US Government for their alleged role in an uprising in which settlers on (former/still disputed) tribal land were killed, mutilated, and raped. President Lincoln reviewed the cases and pardoned 265, leaving 38 for execution. A 1976 "reconciliation" historical marker and various statues mark the site.

Blue Earth County Public Library

Address:: 100 E. Main St., Mankato, MN
Directions:: Blue Earth County Public Library. On Riverfront Drive just north of E. Main St. More statues and monuments across Riverfront Drive in Reconciliation Park.
Phone:: 507-304-4001

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Historical marker and statue.

Library on Site of Largest US Mass Execution

The Blue Earth County Public Library sits on the site of the largest mass execution in U.S. history. On Dec. 26, 1862, 38 Sioux Indian men were hanged after attacking nearby New Ulm.

Originally, 303 were to be hanged, but President Lincoln pardoned all but the 38 who were proven to have killed settlers. Hundreds of Minnesotans came from miles around to watch and made a full day out of it.

Not our proudest moment as a State, but it's a part of our history. It's situated in our downtown area and has several statues as "reconciliation" to the Sioux.

[Jake, 01/19/2011]

A historical plaque and statues mark the site, in front of the Blue Earth County Public Library. Across Riverfront Drive is a 20-foot-tall scroll -- erected in 2012 -- with all 38 names, and a large statue of a buffalo.