Two Forts of North Dakota

Fort Buford was named for Major General John Buford, a Union commander in the Battle of Gettysburg. It was established in 1866 to safeguard the territory near the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, and it also served as a supply depot for soldiers further west.

In the winter of 1866-1867, tribal warriors harrassed the fort (lead by Sitting Bull). Additional troops were added, eventually housing six companies of soldiers.

The fort served as a detention center for tribal leaders and followers who fought against the reservation idea. The last tribal leader, and most remembered, to be detained at the fort was Sitting Bull in July 1881.

1880 Powder Magazine

A powder magazine was used to store ammunition. Lanterns were not permitted in the Powder Magazine (smart guys), so crates had to be clearly marked for easy identification in dim light. Crates were often color-coded and marked with the number of Caliber of the cartridges, weapons they were used in, and date and manufacturer. Canvas tarps were also used to protect the crates from roof leaks.


In July 1877, the following rounds were inventoried at Fort Buford:

• Rifle = 590,993 rounds
• Carbine = 129,513 rounds
• Pistol = 15,081 rounds
• Cannon = 1,942 rounds

A "ghost" structure of the Guardhouse at Fort Buford

Between 1867 and 1891, a third of the men recruited into the army deserted. Drunkeness frequently landed men in the guardhouse, also known as "The Mill" or "Company Q," for up to 10 days.

The fort was abandoned on October 1, 1895 after almost 3 decades of service.

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Richie graciously posed for this picture.
He is very smiley, but he was being eaten alive by mosquitoes and chased by flies.
They were really bad near the Rivers.

Just down the road (and a hop, skip, and jump across the Montana state line), we stopped at Fort Union Trading Post.


It was the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri between 1828 and 1867. Tribes traded buffalo robes and other furs for beads, guns, blankets, knives, cookware, and cloth.


The most elaborate structure on the upper Missouri River (and most oddly placed, I might add) was the Bourgeois House. It was originally built as a single-story, French-Colonial style. In 1850, a full second floor and two story porch were added.


Today, the park serves as a living history museum. We must have missed "the season" because there were only park rangers doing construction on the fort.

We were happy to tour the fort on our own, though.