Garrison in McLean County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Lake Sakakawea

Lewis and Clark in North Dakota

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2025

1. Lake Sakakawea Marker

Inscription. In March 1805, Lewis and Clark hired a French-Canadian fur trader living with the Hidastsa Indians. This man, Toussaint Charbonneau, along with his wife, a teenage Indian girl named Sakakawea, would serve as interpreters.
Sakakawea proved her value in many ways during the course of the expedition. The most important was that she and her infant son, Jean Baptiste, were symbols of peace to the many different Indian tribes Lewis and Clark encountered.
To honor Sakakawea, this gigantic lake has been given her name. North Dakota has adopted the Hidasa language spelling of Sakakawea from "Sakaka" meaning "bird" and "wea" meaning "woman," Although this spelling causes debate, it also encourages discussion and learning about this extraordinary person.

Erected by North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Women. In addition, it is included in the Lewis & Clark Expedition series list. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1805.

Location. 47° 35.254′ N, 101° 25.278′ W. Marker

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is in Garrison, North Dakota, in McLean County. It is on 41st Avenue NW near Scooter Drive. The marker is located in Fort Stevenson State Park in a grassy field bordered by Lake Sakakawea, near the south end of 41st Avenue NW. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1252A 41st Avenue NW, Garrison ND 58540, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation,

in the Drift Prairie,

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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Garrison Dam (here, next to this marker); Fort Stevenson State Park (a few steps from this marker); A Blank Canvas (a few steps from this marker); De Trobriand (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo (within shouting distance

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 23, 2025

2. Lake Sakakawea Marker

of this marker); Intake Structure (approx. 5.7 miles away); Powerhouse (approx. 5.8 miles away); a different marker also named Garrison Dam (approx. 5.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garrison.

Credits. This page was last revised on September 4, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 4, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 91 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 4, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.