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

Front Gate

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

1. Front Gate Marker

Captions: (lower left) Diagram of the gates and Indian Trade Room.; (center) 1861 painting by William Jacob Hays showing the giant fur press.; (upper right) Trading wicket.

Inscription. Visitors entering the Fort from the river side had to pass through outer and inner gates separated by an enclosed area with access to the Indian Trade Room. When the outer gate was closed, trading could be carried on through a wicket (or window) just to the left of the entrance.
The configuration of this area provided security during periods of hostilities and when the threat of smallpox was present. It also permitted separating unfriendly Indian groups from each other when they came to Fort Union to trade.
A giant fur press was located near the front gate. This hug device compressed furs into 100 pound bales for shipment to St. Louis.

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

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • Indigenous Peoples and Communities.

Location. 47° 59.933′ N, 104° 2.443′ W. Marker is near Williston, North Dakota, in Williams County. It can be reached from Mondak Backroad 1 near 143rd Avenue Northwest (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: Riverboat Landing (here, next to this marker); Store Range

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(a few steps from this marker); Bourgeois House (within shouting distance of this marker); Outpost on the Missouri (within shouting distance of this marker); Dwelling Range (within shouting distance of this marker); The Prairie (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lewis and Clark Trail (about 500 feet away); 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 exterior grounds of Fort Union Trading Post National Historic
Site.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

2. Front Gate Marker

Wicket to the left of the gate.

Front Gate, interior view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

3. Front Gate, interior view

Model of Fort Union image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 16, 2019

4. Model of Fort Union

Detail of the Front Gate and Indian Trading Room.

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 452 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 4, 2019, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.