In the hope of attracting German capital the terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad was named after the German Chancellor. Having grown into a town, Bismarck became capital of the territory of Dakota in 1883. Features of interest are the art-deco State Capitol (1933-4) and, to the south of the twin town of Mandan, Fort Lincoln, from which Custer set out with units of the 7th U.S. Cavalry to encounter defeat at the hands of Cheyenne and Dakota Indians in the battle of the Little Bighorn; there is a museum in the fort.
Bismarck is the state capital of North Dakota. A pleasant city to visit it contains some interesting architecture, wonderful city parks, and a great zoo. The city is rich in history and those particularly interested in Lewis and Clark can even take a riverboat cruise to learn more. Culture is alive in Bismarck and the multitude of art shops and galleries are testament to this fact. Bismarck contains all the visitor amenities a traveler would expect including fine dining and comfortable accommodation.
A visit to Camp Hancock State Historic Site can be combined with visits to many other historic sites in the city of Bismarck. At Camp Hancock State Historic Site visitors will find the original log building that served as the camps headquarters. Inside the building are displays and artifacts from the local area. Camp Hancock was established in 1872 to provide a safe haven for the workers on the Northern Pacific Railroad.
Address: Camp Hancock State Historic Site, 101 West Main Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58501, United States
Phone: 1 (701) 328-2666, Fax: 1 (701) 328-3710
Hours:
May 15 to September 16: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Visitors to the State Capital, Bismarck, will not want to miss out on one of the city's premier attractions: the Dakota Zoo. The zoo has over 125 birds and mammals and enjoys over 100,000 visitors annually. The Dakota Zoo has been in operation since 1961 and has grown over the years. As a result of a fundraising campaign the zoo now features several new wonderful exhibits including the Bear Habitat, a River Otter exhibit, and a Canine and small animal exhibit.
Address: Dakota Zoological Society, Box 711, Bismarck, ND 58502-0711, United States
Phone: 1 (701) 223-7543, Fax: 1 (701) 258-8350
Hours:
April 30 to May 31: 10am-7pm
June 1 to August 24: 10am-7pm; Wed:10am-8pm
August 25 to September 25: 10am-7pm
October 1 to April 30: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
The Former Governors' Mansion located in Bismarck offers a glimpse into the life of a governor in the 19th Century. The mansion has been painstakingly restored to its former glory and is decorated in period pieces. The mansion was built in 1884 and has housed 21 governors from its inception until 1960. The State Historical Society of North Dakota manages the property and has done so since 1975.
Address: Former Governors' Mansion, 320 East Avenue B, Bismarck, ND 58505, United States
Phone: 1 (701) 328-2666, Fax: 1 (701) 328-3710
Hours:
May 15 to September 16: 10am-5pm; Sun:12pm-4pm; Sat:12pm-4pm
October 1 to May 14: 1pm-5pm; Closed: Sun, Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu
Tips: Open 2nd Friday and Saturday of each month October - May.
Fort Clark Trading Post is an important archeological site in North Dakota because of the well-preserved record of the fur trade. Notable remains include the large earthlodge village, cemetery, and two fur trading posts. However there are over 2,200 features such as houses, storage pits and cultural remains. The main native inhabitants were the Mandan and later the Arikara.
Gateway to Science Center in Bismarck is located in the Frances Leach High Prairie Arts & Science Complex. The center features hands on exhibits on themes such as electricity, magnetism, light, machines, and air pressure. In addition to the regular displays the Gateway to Science Center also hosts traveling exhibits so there is always something new happening. This is a great outing for all ages.
Hours:
12pm-7pm; Fri:12pm-5pm; Sat:12pm-5pm; Closed: Sun
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), President's Day - USA (3rd Monday, February ), Memorial Day - USA (last Monday, May ), American Independance Day (July 4), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), New Year's Eve (December 31), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24), Good Friday - Christian
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
While in Bismarck, why not revisit some of the places Lewis and Clark explored? Taking a Lewis and Clark Riverboat Cruise helps transport visitors back to this time period. This 150-passenger paddle wheeler provides a comfortable environment to view the beautiful countryside on the Upper Missouri River. The boat is a non-smoking vessel and a gift shop along with a licensed snack bar is available to passengers.
The North Dakota Heritage Center contains the permanent collection of the State Historical Society of North Dakota. It also features temporary exhibits so there is always something new on display. The Heritage Center focuses on everything from prehistoric times to the 20th Century offering a good overview of North Dakota.
In addition to the galleries the North Dakota Heritage Center also offers educational programs open to the public.
Address: North Dakota Heritage Center, 612 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0830, United States
Phone: 1 (701) 328-2666, Fax: 1 (701) 328-3710
Hours:
8am-5pm; Sun:10am-5pm; Sat:10am-5pm
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), Thanksgiving - USA (4th Thursday, November ), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Easter - Christian
Tips: Donations accepted.
State Archives: 8am - 4:30pm., M-F, except legal holidays, and 2nd Sat. of each month, 10am - 4:30 pm.
The North Dakota State Capitol building is located in Bismarck. This Art Deco Style building was built in the mid 1930s and includes a large tower at one end. On the 18th floor of the State Capitol building is an observation deck with views over Bismarck. This building replaced the original State Capitol building that burned down in 1930.
Located on the state capitol grounds in Bismarck is the 12 foot bronze statue of Sakakawea with her baby, Jean Baptiste, strapped to her back. The statue is a tribute to Sakakawea who was known for helping guide Lewis and Clark on their expedition. The statue was created by sculptor Leonard Crunelle.
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