Near Stanton in Mercer County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mih-tutta-hang-kush (meaning East Village or First Village)
Fort Clark State Historic Site
By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
1. Mih-tutta-hang-kush (meaning East Village or First Village) Marker
Captions: (background) In 1833-34, artist Karl Bodmer drew this watercolor and pencil sketch of Mih-tutta-hang-kush near this location. It shows the Mandan village prior to the smallpox epidemic of 1837.; (top right) Timeline showing Fort Clark Trading Post (and the village of Mih-tutta-hang-kush) in relation to other villages and events since AD 1500.
You are approaching the site of a former Mandan Indian village called Mih-tutta-hang-kush. This name means "east village" or "first village." Mih-tutta-hanf-kush was established in 1822 and was occupied by the Mandans until 1837 when the smallpox epidemic decimated about 90 percent of the village's population. In 1838 neighboring Arikaras move
into the village and lived there until 1861. The Mandans lived at Mih-tutta-hang-kush in the spring, summer, and fall. In the winter, they moved into a village in the forested river valley. Mandan villages, such as Mih-tutta-hang-kush, were part of a vast trade network among tribes on the Great Plains. Before the establishment of fur trade posts such as Fort Clark, the Mandans had been trading with neighboring tribes for centuries.
Today, you are approaching the village the same way as a person would have in the 1820s. Numerous trails radiated out from the village like spokes on a wheel. You are closely following one of the former trails as it nears the village.
Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Topics. This historical marker is
By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
2. Mih-tutta-hang-kush (meaning East Village or First Village) Marker, timeline detail
Location. 47° 15.14′ N, 101° 16.6′ W. Marker is near Stanton, North Dakota, in Mercer County. Marker is on 37th Avenue Southwest near 12th Street Southwest (State Highway 200), on the right when traveling north. The marker is located at the Fort Clark State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stanton ND 58571, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Fort Clark in the International Fur Trade (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Palisade Wall (about 400 feet away); Fort Clark Historic Site (about 400 feet away); Corrals (about 700 feet away); Smallpox and the Central Plaza (approx. 0.2 miles away); Earthlodges (approx. 0.2 miles away); Mandans and Arikaras of the Village (approx. 0.2 miles away); Missouri Valley Environs (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stanton.
By Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
3. Mih-tutta-hang-kush (meaning East Village or First Village) Marker
By Google maps, December 14, 2020
4. Aerial View of Mih-tutta-hang-kush Village
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 11, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 31 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 11, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 4. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
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