Post Trader's Complex

Post Trader's Complex. Fort Buford State Historic Site. Post traders supplied forts with items the army would not or could not supply. Post traders could not sell any goods provided through the army's commissary. They sold food such as eggs, milk, cheese, vegetables, tobacco, and cloth. The post trader's establishment was a social gathering place for the fort's garrison where card games and billiards were played and where alcohol was sometimes available. , In exchange for his franchise to serve the fort, the post trader was charged a monthly fee for every officer and enlisted man stationed at the post. These fees helped support activities such as the regimental band, the post bake house, education of soldiers, the post library and the purchase of gardening supplies. , During its existence five different firms served as post trader at Fort Buford. A variety of other civilian businesses also operated at the fort. These included a hotel, tailor, blacksmith, restaurant, barber, dairy, and a ferry. Most of these enterprises were short lived.