Military History Tour

Military history is rich in and around Bismarck-Mandan. Tours can include the All Veterans Memorial on the ND State Capitol Grounds and Camp Hancock State Historic Site in south Bismarck. Then be sure to travel across the Liberty Memorial Bridge that carries the Memorial Highway over the Missouri River to the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery and Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, just a few miles south of Mandan.

All Veterans Memorial, ND State Capitol Grounds
This memorial was originally dedicated in 1989 to all North Dakotans who had served in the Armed Forces during the first 100 years of North Dakota statehood. Since its dedication the names of North Dakotans who gave their lives in the Persian Gulf and Global War on Terror have been added to the memorial. The 49 bronze panels, which house the names of over 4,000 men and women who have given their lives in America's wars, are mounted in frames that form a circle around a world globe mounted on a pedestal. On the globe the state of North Dakota is raised above the other states on the surface of the globe. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month the sun shines through the hole at the top of the dome to illuminate the state.

The original Liberty Memorial Bridge that carried the Memorial Highway over the Missouri River was demolished in 2009 and a new memorial bridge was built just south of that location. Part of the construction included building monuments at each end surrounding the American War Mothers Memorial granite boulder markers that were originally dedicated July 3, 1924 to their sons and daughters who served during World War I. Granite was chosen because the boulders had "withstood the storms and stress of the ages as best typifying mother love." The new bridge, dedicated to veterans, has five piers, each with an overlook dedicated to 5 branches of the military.

Camp Hancock State Historic Site
The site of a military camp dating back to 1872, Camp Hancock was used to protect Northern Pacific railroad workers. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the camp includes the Bread of Life Episcopal Church and a Northern Pacific steam locomotive. An original log building, which served as headquarters and later a weather bureau, now features an interpretive museum.

The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery was established by an act of the 1989 Legislative Assembly. The cemetery was opened in July 1992 and is operated by the Adjutant General of North Dakota. It is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on Highway 1806 on a 35-acre tract of land in the southwest corner of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park.

Dedicated to the men and women who have served this State and Nation with unequaled distinction and honor. The State of North Dakota, in tribute to the devotion shown by our veterans in defense of the ideals and values we hold so precious, honors them by providing a location where they may find eternal peace in a setting rich with military history and quiet dignity. The cemetery grounds are open twenty-four hours a day for grave visitation.

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park
Rich in both military and early Native American history, Fort Abraham Lincoln was once an important infantry and cavalry post. It was from this fort that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry rode out on their ill-fated expedition at the Little Big Horn. So, take a trip back to 1875 where the General’s staff still entertains guests with stories of Libby, the General, and the time they spent in Dakota Territory. Portions of the military post, including the Custer House, have been reconstructed.

Popular with visitors is On-A-Slant Indian Village. Six reconstructed earthlodges depict the lifestyle of the Mandan Indians, who occupied this site from about 1575-1781.

The hills above Fort Abraham Lincoln provide a great view of the Missouri River valley with three reconstructed blockhouses, Fort McKeen, standing guard over both the fort and the village.

Fort Mandan
North of Bismarck, in Washburn, take a step back in time when you visit reconstructed Fort Mandan, the winter home of the Lewis & Clark Expedition from 1804-1805. The fully-furnished quarters bring to life what it was like for the brave men in the Corps of Discovery during that North Dakota winter over 200 years ago.

Military History Tour

Military History Tour

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