Haugen Homestead

In May 1859, Olof Olson Haugen, his wife Bergeret, and son Frederick homesteaded here in section 32, Dovre Township. Over the next three years, the Haugen family worked to establish their new life by building shelter, raising crops and animals, and developing relationships with people who came before them. Dakota people had hunting and fishing camps in Kandiyohi County before American and European immigrants came, and these immigrants had to learn how to co-exist with the Dakota. Many settlers had good relationships with the Dakota and traded goods and food with them, so it was a surprise when 25-30 warriors attacked in August 1862. On August 21, 1862, while Olof Haugen had gone to Green Lake to get the mail and do trading, a Dakota war party came upon the homestead and killed Bergeret and Frederick. Their bodies were later discovered by a burial party and buried at this site.

Minnesota · United States