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Williston in Williams County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
 

North Dakota Masonic Foundation

Ft. Buford Historic Site

— (The first chartered Masonic Lodge in North Dakota) —

 
 
North Dakota Masonic Foundation Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019
1. North Dakota Masonic Foundation Marker
Inscription.
Original location of Yellowstone Lodge No. 88 A.F.&A.M. - Est. Jan. 26, 1871 by the officers and soldiers of the 6th and 7th Infantry, and fort civilians through a dispensation from the Grand Lodge of Minnesota

Eureka Prince Hall Buffalo Soldier Lodge No. 135 F.&A.M. originally chartered through the Prince Hall Grand Lodge of Missouri at Ft. Apache, AZ. Territory in 1891 & the first such lodge within the former Dakota Territory. The Buffalo Soldier Masons are believed to have met southeast of this location near the river. The riderless horse monument is dedicated to members of Eureka Lodge and all the Buffalo Soldiers stationed here. It is an exact replica of one described by a 9th Cav. veteran who rode it and symbolizes these special soldiers that will never again ride the prairies.
 
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African AmericansForts and CastlesFraternal or Sororal Organizations. A significant historical date for this entry is January 26, 1871.
 
Location. 47° 59.141′ N, 104° 0.263′ W. Marker is in Williston, North Dakota, in Williams County. It is on 39th Lane Northwest near 153rd

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Avenue Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Williston ND 58801, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Bakken Oil Patch. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Yellowstone Lodge #88 Ancient Free and Accepted Masons (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Post Trader's Complex (about 500 feet away); Fort Buford State Historic Site (about 700 feet away); Cemetery (about 700 feet away); Fort Buford Historic Site (approx. 0.2 miles away); Telegraph Office (approx. 0.2 miles away); Field Officers' Quarters (approx. 0.2 miles away); Infantry Barracks (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williston.
 
More about this marker. This marker is on the grounds of Fort Buford
North Dakota Masonic Foundation Marker image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019
2. North Dakota Masonic Foundation Marker
State Historic Site.
 
Riderless Horse Monument image. Click for full size.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019
3. Riderless Horse Monument
honoring the members of Eureka Lodge and all the Buffalo Soldiers stationed at Fort Buford.
 
 
Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on November 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 601 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos:   1, 2, 3. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
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Jul. 13, 2026