Lower Sioux Agency Traditional Geocache

The Lower Sioux Agency was the scene of the first attack of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. This site was a U.S. government administrative center for the Mdewakanton and Wahpekute Bands of Dakota. In the months leading up to the war, the U.S. government failed to make annuity payments owed to the Dakota and refused to provide food and supplies. These actions contributed to the growing resentment that led to the war in the summer of 1862. As tensions mounted, a reluctant Taoyateduta (Little Crow) led an attack on the Lower Sioux Agency on August 18, 1862, killing 18 traders and government employees. The Dakota then attacked settlements along the Minnesota River Valley, in a strategic effort to reclaim their homeland, killing white settlers and compelling thousands to flee.

This is part of a series of caches put out by the Minnesota River Valley National Scenic Byway to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Dakota War of 1862. In each cache there will be a collectible card featuring a prominent figure from the conflict. Once you have collected all of the cards, bring them to the Upper Sioux Agency State Park to collect your prize. The eight caches can be found here:

1. Big Stone Lake State Park
2. Lac qui Parle State Park
3. Joseph R. Brown Memorial Cache
4. Upper Sioux Agency State Park
5. Lower Sioux Agency Cache
6. Fort Ridgely State Park
7. Flandrau State Park
8. Minneopa State Park