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

Bourgeois House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

1. Bourgeois House Marker

Captions: (center) Rudolph Friederich Kurz's sketch dated September 18, 1851.; (upper right) Interior of Fort Union by Father Nicholas Point showing the first Bourgeois House in 1847.; (lower right) An 1866 photograph of the house by Illingworth and Bill.

Inscription. The was the most elaborate structure on the upper Missouri River during the peak of the fur trade. Guided by elegant and detailed drawings of the artist Rudolph Frederich Kurz, an 1866 photograph of the house by William Illingworth, and archeological excavations, the National Park Service has reconstructed it to its 1851 grandeur. However only the floor plans can be documented in the historical record, which precluded reconstruction of the interior space.
The first house was a more simple French Colonial design. In 1843, Bourgeois Edward Denig wrote; "it is 78 feet front, 24 feet depth, and a story and a half high." He continued, "the piazza (porch) in front adds much to the comfort and appearance." During the winter of 1850, the Upper Missouri Outfit remodeled the house into a classical revival structure, adding a full second floor and the two story porch to express the company's American roots.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.

Location. 47° 59.953′ N, 104° 2.442′ W. Marker is near Williston, North Dakota, in Williams County. It can be reached from Mondak Backroad 1 near 143rd Avenue Northwest

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(State Route 1804). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 15550 North Dakota 1804, 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: Outpost on the Missouri (a few steps from this marker); Dwelling Range (a few steps from this marker); Store Range (within shouting distance of this marker); Front Gate (within shouting distance of this marker); Riverboat Landing (within shouting distance of this marker); The Prairie (within shouting distance of this marker); Lewis and Clark Trail (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Gravel Pits (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Williston.

More about this marker. This marker is on the interior grounds of Fort Union Trading Post National Historic
Site.

Bourgeois House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

2. Bourgeois House and Marker

Bourgeois House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

3. Bourgeois House

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

4. Bourgeois House

Credits. This page was last revised on December 4, 2019. It was originally submitted on December 4, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 475 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.