Pond-Dakota Mission Park

The place

Pond-Dakota Mission Park sits on the bluffs above the Minnesota River in south-east Bloomington. Its centrepiece is the brick house built in 1856 by Gideon Pond, a missionary who, with his brother Samuel, worked among the Dakota people in the area from the 1830s. The park interprets both the mission and the Dakota community whose homeland this was.

Events and programmes

The city offers tours of the house during its seasonal opening periods and hosts historical programmes, such as demonstrations and talks about Dakota culture and pioneer life. Opening times are seasonal and limited, so check the City of Bloomington's information before visiting.

History in brief

Gideon Pond established the Oak Grove mission here in the 1840s. The brick house that replaced the earlier log mission building is one of the oldest surviving houses in the region and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park also tells the story of the Dakota village of the area and of the profound changes of the nineteenth century.

Visiting with mobility equipment

Historic houses are rarely fully accessible: expect steps at entrances, narrow doorways and stairs to upper floors. The grounds include grass and natural surfaces. Ask the city in advance about which parts of the house can be visited without stairs, and whether alternatives such as photographs or a ground-floor visit are available.

Good to know

• The bluff-top setting offers views over the river valley.
• Combine a visit with the nearby Minnesota Valley refuge for a full day of local history and nature.
• Tours can be short, which suits people who tire easily.