Fort Mandan (New Marker) - Washburn, North Dakota
Posted by: 
BruceS
N 47° 17.904 W 101° 05.200
14T E 342248 N 5240436
Historical marker commemorating Fort Mandan, where Lewis and Clark spent the winter of 1804-5.
Waymark Code: WM2N5Y
Location: North Dakota, United States
Date Posted: 11/24/2007
Views: 62
Fort Mandan
Winter 1804-1805
Named for the nearby Indians, Fort Mandan was winter quarters for the
Lewis and Clark Expedition. Sited by Captain Clark November 2, 1804, the
fort was built in a triangular shape from cottonwood logs cut in vicinity; the
walls were chinked with mud. Huts housing men and supplies formed two
sides, and the third was blockaded by "amazing long pickets." The men
occupied their unfinished buildings on November 16, and the two captains moved
into theirs four days later. To this fort came many visitors, among them
Toussaint Charbonneau and Sakakawea. The captains passed the winter by
learning as much as possible about the Missouri River tribes and the country
that lay before them. Tools and equipment were mended for the Mandans in
exchange for foodstuffs. On April 7, 1805, the keelboat and 11 men were
sent downriver under the command of Corporal Richard Warfington. That same
day, the remainder of the party (the 2 captains and 31 others) embarked upriver
in "six small canoes, and two large perogues." ~ text of marker