Bismarck in Burleigh County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lewis & Clark and the Mandan Villages

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 25, 2021

1. Lewis & Clark and the Mandan Villages Marker

Inscription. By the time Lewis and Clark began their epic journey, the Ward Indian Village site (renamed Chief Looking's Village in 2003) had been abandoned. The Mandan and Hidatsa were displaced north, reduced in number by smallpox and warfare. The journals note abandoned sites from the mouth of the Heart River up to Fort Mandan:

20th of October Satterday 1804 (William Clark):
“Set out early this morning and proceeded on — the wind from the S.E. — after brackfast I walked out on the L. Side to See those remarkable places pointed out by Evins, I saw an old remains of a village (covering 6 or 8 acres) on the Side of a hill which the Chief with us Too ne tels me that nation [Mandan] lived in a number of villages on each Side of the river and the Troubleson Seauex caused them to move about 40 miles higher up where they remained a fiew years & moved to the place they now live, passed a small creek on the S.S. and one on the L.S. [Little Heart Creek] passed a Island Covered with willows laying in the middle of the river — no current on the L.S. — Camped on the L.S. above a Bluff containing Coal of an inferior quality, this bank is imedeately

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above the old village of the Mandans —”

Erected by Bismarck Parks and Recreation District.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 20, 1804.

Location. 46° 49.357′ N, 100° 49.663′ W. Marker is in Bismarck, North Dakota, in Burleigh County. It is on River Road. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2190 River Road, Bismarck ND 58504, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on North Dakota’s 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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lewis & Clark near Bismarck-Mandan (within shouting distance

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 25, 2021

2. Lewis & Clark and the Mandan Villages Marker

This marker is located in Keelboat Park. The park's entrance has sculptural silhouettes of Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea.

of this marker); Bismarck River Warehouse (approx. 0.6 miles away); Episcopalian Services In The Area (approx. 2.1 miles away); Church of the Bread of Life (approx. 2.1 miles away); Camp Hancock Site Map (approx. 2.1 miles away); Hancock History (approx. 2.1 miles away); Locomotive #2164 (approx. 2.1 miles away); The Pioneer Family (approx. 2.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bismarck.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, July 25, 2021

3. Reflections

Several works of art that symbolize the native cultures displaced by the results of the Expedition are on display in Keelboat Park, including Reflections, a work by artists from the United Tribes Technical College.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 12, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 228 times since then and 48 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.