House survived Dakota conflict; earns marker

By KURT NESBITT

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Fredrick Kiesling had no idea that one day city officials, distant relatives and historical preservationists would gather outside his house to dedicate a historical marker.

But now, some 140 years later, it is one of three buildings that still stand as markers of the times when German settler fought Dakota warriors and nearly 75 percent of New Ulm burned in the struggle.

"This house is one of the few left to survive," said Darla Gebhard, president of the New Ulm Junior Pioneers and a Brown County Historical Society librarian. "It's an appropriate time to remember."

It was that idea, Gebhard said, that led the Junior Pioneers to raise money for a historical plaque for Kiesling Park, which was dedicated Saturday evening. Like others at nearby Jacob Nix Platz and Schonlau Park, the marker tells the short story of the house's role in the early days of New Ulm.

Fredrick Kiesling, a blacksmith and ferrier, built the house in 1861 for $125 -- one year before the conflict with the Dakota broke out. It was spared from the fate of most of the rest of New Ulm because of a barricade the settlers built from old furniture, said mayor Arnold Koelpin.

"This is destined to be a blip in time, but this house continues to tell a pioneer's story," Koelpin told a small crowd who gathered on a sidewalk for the dedication.

The house itself stayed in the family until it was restored in 1970 by three families who descended from Kiesling. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places two years later and served first as the offices for the New Ulm Chamber of Commerce and now houses the Council for the Arts in New Ulm gallery. The money for the restoration came from the three families, state and federal grants.

New Ulm Parks and Recreation Director Dave Bechthold said that the department is considering a plan to redesign the park. He said the plan would involve using a historical architect and should be in place in the next few months.

Gebhardt said the Junior Pioneers aim to keep the memories of the original New Ulm pioneers alive and donated the money for the marker in order to help further that cause.