Cole Sutton

Bio: Cole Sutton has a background in graphic design, and began studying GIS in 2014 at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. He currently works as a GIS technician at the university’s GIS project center, Geo Spatial Services. He is interested in cartography, data visualization, history and social justice.

The Search For Fort L’Huillier: An Interdisciplinary Academic and Private Sector Geomentoring Model

Located near present day Mankato, Minnesota, Fort L’Huillier was built in 1700 and abandoned by 1702. Numerous attempts to re-locate this historically significant resource have occurred in the past, but to no avail. Through private sector collaboration, an interdisciplinary geomentoring approach provided GIS graduate students with the opportunity to explore ‘real-world’ modeling scenarios with applied outcomes. The classroom portion utilized current GIS technology and data, evidence from past investigations, and detailed historical accounts to select the most likely location for Fort L’Huillier. Archeological investigations were then conducted; the results of which will further refine future modeling efforts.

Geomentoring, Archaeology, Interdisciplinary, Fort L'Huillier, Historic Preservation