Near Sanger in Oliver County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Painted Woods

Lewis & Clark in North Dakota

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2025

1. Painted Woods Marker

Inscription.
Wednesday, October 24, 1804

Near this point Lewis and Clark made their first substantial contact with the Mandan Indians. As the expedition passed an oxbow island (present-day Painted Woods Lake). "One of the Grand Chiefs of the Mandins, with five Lodges hunting" was discovered. A friendly encounter ensued: "[T]his Chief met the Chief of the Ricares who accompanied us with great Cordiality & serimony Smoked the pipe..." Lewis later visited the Mandans' lodges near Turtle Creek. The beauty of the bottom lands greatly impressed Clark, but no game was seen. The party covered 11 miles, camping on the east bank about 3 miles north of modern Washburn.

Sunday, August 17, 1806

After taking leave of the Knife River Indian villages, Lewis and Clark "proceeded on" to a campsite on the west bank near Hensler. With them came Big White, a Mandan chief, but Charbounneau, Sakakawea, and the expedition papoose, Baptiste, stayed behind. Likewise, John Colter left the party to join trappers bound for the Rocky Mountains. The captains fired a salute as they embarked about 2 p.m. They stopped briefly at Fort Mandan. A strong

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southeast headwind slowed travel, and the party covered only 18 miles. They camped near an abandoned Arikara town.

Erected by North Dakota Parks and Recreation.

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 August 17, 1806.

Location. 47° 12.478′ N, 100° 58.108′ W. Marker is near Sanger, North Dakota, in Oliver County. It is on 14m Street SW. This marker is at the end of the road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Center ND 58530, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Standing Rock Sioux Tribe,

on the Missouri Plateau,

and in Greater Bismarck Area.

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

Painted Woods Marker (detail) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2025

2. Painted Woods Marker (detail)

least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Story of Painted Woods (here, next to this marker); The Missouri: An Early Highway (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Missouri : A Landscape Altered (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Missouri: Origin and History (approx. 1.4 miles away); Cross Ranch (approx. 2 miles away); "A Buitifull Countrey" (approx. 2 miles away); Taylor Cabin (approx. 6.1 miles away); Soo Line Railroad & Depot (approx. 6.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sanger.

Regarding Painted Woods. It is had to call this street a street. Do not take it if there have been recent rains. There is good bird watching though.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, July 22, 2025

3. Painted Woods Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 14, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 147 times since then and 90 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 14, 2025, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.