Jamestown in Stutsman County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Gazebo Park and the Presidential Visit in a Private Railroad Car
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024
1. Gazebo Park and the Presidential Visit in a Private Railroad Car Marker
In 1879, the townspeople of the City of Jamestown made plans to collect funds to build a Gazebo. In September of 1883, Northern Pacific Railroad President Henry Villard came in his private train for the dedication. The Gazebo was also the destination for Ulysses Grant and Marshal Fields, each of whom also came in their private trains.
The Gazebo and adjacent duck pond was a downtown focal point for the City of Jamestown throughout the years. Events included mid-winter picnics and ice cream socials hosted in January and February. Other events included bands, crop exhibits and broom brigades.
Erected by City of Jamestown, Stutsman County Memorial Museum, North Dakota Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, and Mary Young.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1883.
Location. 46° 54.542′ N, 98° 42.502′ W. Marker is in Jamestown, North Dakota, in Stutsman County. It is
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Drift Prairie. 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: A New Town Site on the NP Line (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Depot and School Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); The Freight House, Round House and Lookout Tower (within shouting distance of this marker); Seiler Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Stutsman County World War Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); In Celebration of the Two Hundredth Year Birthday of the United States of America, 1976 (within
2. Marker detail: Ulysses S. Grant & Henry Villard
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.
Also see . . . Ulysses S. Grant lays cornerstone for Dakota Territory capitol (facebook).
(by Kevin Kremer, 8/27/2020) Excerpt: September 5, 1883 and September 5, 1933 Former President Ulysses S. Grant laid the cornerstone for the Dakota Territory capitol at Bismarck on this date in 1883.(Submitted on July 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)Grant was on his way to Montana for the driving of the gold spike that marked the completion of the main line of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Other dignitaries who attended the capitol cornerstone laying included railroad magnates James J. Hill of the Great Northern and President Henry Villard of the Northern Pacific; newspaper publisher Joseph Pulitzer; Generals H. H. Sibley and W. D. Washburn; Chief Sitting Bull; and Chicago merchant Marshall Field.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 28, 2024
3. Gazebo Park and the Presidential Visit in a Private Railroad Car Marker
The marker is mounted on a brick and concrete wall beside the sidewalk and overlooking the active railroad tracks.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 7 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 14, 2026, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
