Bismarck

Originally called Missouri Crossing because it’s where Louis and Clark crossed the river, it was renamed Edwinton by the Northern Pacific railway in honor of their chief engineer. It was finally renamed Bismarck after the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck in hopes of attracting German immigrants to the area. It is the only U.S, capitol named for a foreign statesman. 

Louis and Clark spent the winter of 1804-05 just north of Bismarck among the friendly Mandan Indian tribe. 

The Fort Abraham Lincoln state park in Mandan (on the west side of the river) has recreated the earth lodges that had once stood there in what was called On-a-Slant Village. 

The park also holds the remnants of the 7th Cavalry Post of which George Armstrong Custer was commanding officer from 1873 to 1876. Obviously, his command ended with the Battle of the Little Big Horn. The site of the battle is on our route to Colorado, so more to come on that. 

The Custer house has been reconstructed. Rick stands where Custer might have stood overlooking the parade ground.