Mandan’s Fort Lincoln State Park covers region’s history
Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park allows visitors an opportunity to see history upclose. The park is home to a Native American village from the 16th century, as well as the last home known to George Armstrong Custer. The park is located in Mandan, next to Bismarck.
The Mandan tribe has lived in the central North Dakota area for centuries. The park’s village – On-a-Slant Village – was given the name because it was built on a slope along the Missouri River shoreline. We learned a lot about the village during a short tour.
The village was the southernmost of a chain of nine such establishments. It was small, with 75 lodges. The remains of the earth lodges can be seen at the park by the rise and drop in the land. The real lodges have long been gone. The current village has a series of replica earth lodges.
The Mandan-area village likely existed from 1575 until about 1775, according to North Dakota State University researchers. The park’s visitors center has a model of what the village looked like during its heyday.
The Mandan weren’t a nomadic tribe. They sought permanent areas to live. The villages were protected by palisades (fences) as often as possible. The Fort Lincoln location was protected from enemies with fences on three sides. The fourth side had a deep ravine.
The Mandan were hunters and gatherers. They farmed land, and hunted buffalo and other animals as they needed. Their natural enemies were nomadic tribes, like the Sioux (Lakota, Nakota and Dakota).
It was interesting to learn that the Mandan were a maternal society – women led the families. That included building and owning the earth lodges. Men married into the wife’s family and lived with them. The couple would live with the wife’s family until their family had grown to warrant their own lodge.
The visitors center has artifacts on display, including pottery, weapons and clothing likely used by the Mandan.
As the Mandan village likely ended around 1775, the next phase of the park’s history started in the late 1800s.
Fort McKeen was established atop bluffs overlooking the Missouri River. Soldiers stationed at the fort were assigned to provide protection for workers building the railroad through the region.
The view of the Missouri River and its valley is amazing from atop the block houses at the old fort.
The visitors center offers visitors a view of military weapons and equipment that was used by members of the 7th Cavalry or other soldiers.
In 1872, Lt Colonel George Armstrong and the 7th Cavalry were assigned to the fort, and it was moved to lower ground. It was renamed Fort Abraham Lincoln. Custer would be assigned to Fort Lincoln until his death at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in June 1876.
Custer was promoted to the rank of Lt. General during the Civil War, but only temporarily. People often refer to him as General Custer, while he was really a Lt. Colonel during his time at Fort Lincoln.
Custer and his wife entertained at the house. The current house is a reconstruction of the three houses the couple occupied at the fort. Some of the household items, including a serving plate, chair and bedroom tables belonged to the Custers. The remaining furniture is from the time period.
The house was fairly large. A reception room is located at the front of the house. Curtains in the reception room belonged to the Custers.
The couple entertained at a large table in the dining room.
The colonel had an office at the house. The tour guide told us it was the only room he was allowed to decorate. It has a lot of pictures of the Custers, stuffed animals and military memorabilia.
In the cellar, Custer was said to have kept a pet he was most proud of – a bobcat he had captured on a hunting trip. The cat was chained up.
The upstairs area had mainly bedrooms – one for their main servant and a room shared by her sisters.
The Custers’ bedroom has a furniture set that belonged to Mrs. Custer.
Mrs. Custer’s rocking chair was saved from a fire that destroyed the second house. It sits along a wall in the bedroom.
A room was set aside for playing cards or billiards. Apparently, Mrs. Custer enjoyed card games.
On May 17, 1876, Custer and the 7th Cavalry departed Fort Lincoln en route to Montana’s Little Bighorn, where the Army thought it would put down a final native uprising. As we know, it didn’t end well for Custer and most of his troops.
For more information on the Mandan village, Custer’s house and the state park, please visit:
http://www.parkrec.nd.gov/parks/falsp/history.html
