Stanton in Mercer County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Earthlodges
Fort Clark State Historic Site
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
1. Earthlodges Marker
Captions: (bottom left) Interior of a Mandan earthlodge, painted by George Catlin; (upper center) Model of an earthlodge; (top right) Aerial view of the village illustrating circular depressions that are the remains of earthlodges; (bottom right) Interior of a Mandan earthlodge, painted by Karl Bodmer.
The earthlodge was a type of home used by many tribes on the Great Plains. Around you are the remains of earthlodges found in the village of Mih-tutta-hang-kush. There were more than eighty of these homes found on this site. Today, circular depressions on the ground indicate where lodges once stood.
How was an earthlodge constructed?
To build an earthlodge, four heavy timbers were erected in a square to provide a central frame-work. This frame-work and the walls were then covered with a layer of branches, then grass and finally a layer of earth. A covered entry was on one side, and an opening in the roof served as a smoke hole or chimney.
Other than working with the heavy timbers, most of the effort in building an earthlodge was done by women. In fact, it was the women who owned the earthlodges.
How many people lived in an earthlodge?
Depending on its size, an earthlodge could house anywhere from eight to eighteen people.
Erected by State Historical Society of North Dakota.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. 47° 15.184′ N,
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation, and on the Missouri Plateau. 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mandans and Arikaras of the Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Mandan Overlook (within shouting distance of this marker); Smallpox and the Central Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Shelter (about 400 feet
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, December 14, 2020
2. Earthlodges Marker
Also see . . . Hidatsa Mandan Arikara Earth Lodges. Native American Indian Resources website entry:
This housing section is a counterstatement to the widespread non-Indian teaching of our history and culture by playing dress-up Indian in fake costumes, and building trashcraft toy models of traditional housing. (Submitted on December 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Wikipedia, unknown
3. Earthlodge, modern replica
Traditional earth lodges of the Great Plains
Field Stud of the World website entry:
Click for more information.
Field Stud of the World website entry:
Click for more information.
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
4. Earthlodge interior
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
5. Earthlodge interior
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, August 28, 2020
6. Earthlodge smoke-hole
Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 244 times since then and 20 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 14, 2020, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
