New Book Chronicles Civil War Vets that Homesteaded in Becker County

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – A new book chronicling the history of the American Civil War in Becker County will be released this week.

The Becker County Museum has published, ‘Becker County and the Civil War’ after years of research from staff members and Lakes Area residents.

“There was a civil war gathering of information at the museum quite a few years ago, when that happened a lot of individuals came forward with more accurate information and we’ve continued to gather that information and put it together in a book form,” Becky Mitchell, Executive Director at the Becker County Museum said.

More than 360 Civil War veterans made their way to Becker County after the United States government offered to pay soldiers in land with “soldier’s homesteads” instead of money. Many of those veterans established towns, farms and started industries. Their names remain on many streets and buildings today throughout the county.

The book will be available for purchase at the Becker County Museum’s website this weekend and at the Museum beginning next week.