Pilot Knob Historic Site Receives $75,000 Partners in Preservation Grant

in Mendota Heights will receive $75,000 in the second round of grants awarded through the Partners in Preservation program.

The city requested a in the first round to relocate power lines and do some additional restoration work on the site, but in that contest, which was driven by Facebook votes. The Basilica of Saint Mary emerged as the winner, earning a $110,000 grant.

This second round of 12 awards was chosen by an advisory committee, and winners were announced last week. The remaining 12 sites will receive $5,000 a piece. American Express provided funding for the campaign.

“I am hopeful that this will cover the cost to bury the lines and some restoration,” said assistant city administrator Jake Sedlacek in an email. “Our initial grant request included the more expensive option of re-routing the utilities—we have since learned that we can bury them.”

“We are just thrilled to have this grant come to the city of Mendota Heights to bury those cables,” said Gail Lewellan, co-chair of the Pilot Knob Preservation Association, one of many organizations involved in the site’s restoration.

Pilot Knob, located adjacent to , encompasses 27 acres of land being restored to prairie and oak savannah. The 1851 Treaty was signed at the site, which also carries spiritual significance for Dakota people as a gathering place and burial ground.

Both Minneapolis and St. Paul skylines are visible from the location, which overlooks Fort Snelling and the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers.

“Part of the wonder of the site is the feeling of openness and the clarity of the view,” said Lewellan. “There are multiple cables, and they’re right there in the middle."

The site is composed of two land acquisitions. The power lines initially crossed the first acquisition, and were moved to the edge of the property, but after the second plot of land was bought, what was once the edge of the property became the middle, said Lewellan.

The lines will be buried along the roadway but not as far down as the original, sacred soil.

In addition to funding the work, Lewellan said the contest brought out a number of residents who attended the , and experienced the site for the first time.

In a press statement, Stephanie Meeks, president of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said, “Bringing attention and funding to one-of-a-kind historic places is what the Partners in Preservation program is all about.

 “The Twin Cities community came together through this program to show their pride for the many historic gems found throughout the area. We couldn’t be happier with the end result and are excited to provide our support in preserving the Twin Cities’ unique past.”