Discover World War II History at Port Cargill

Posted: 04/24/24

The Minnesota River was a working river during World War II and played a pivotal role in transferring supplies to United States troops in the Pacific Theater. Check out this recent KSTP news story to discover the unique history of Port Cargill in Savage, MN: https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/history-of-port-cargill/

As the Scott County Historical Society shares, large ships were built and launched from Savage to carry oil and gasoline from the Minnesota River to the Mississippi River and, ultimately, to ships battling in the Pacific Theater. Minnesota was strategically selected for its location, including access to river routes and safety in comparison to coastal regions. The US Government approached Cargill, known for building large ships to transfer grain, to build ships for the war effort. Because the ships were too large to travel down the river, the US Army Corps of Engineers dredged a navigation channel and pool that allowed large ships to launch into the Minnesota River. During wartime, Port Cargill employed 3,500 workers to lead production, a quarter of whom were women. Port Cargill launched 18 ships to aid in war efforts, earning it the prestigious Army-Navy "E" award for wartime ship production. 

Today, the nine-foot navigation channel continues to be of great importance and the Minnesota River is still heavily used for commerce and transportation. The Lower Minnesota River Watershed District (LMRWD) maintains the nine-foot channel as an important component to ensure the river is a navigable route. Learn more about the LMRWD's history as one of the oldest watershed districts in Minnesota by visiting our history page.