Fort Stevenson (Garrison, North Dakota)

Garrison · North Dakota · Indian Wars

History & Significance

Fort Stevenson was established in June 1867 by Major Joseph N.G. Whistler with troops from Fort Berthold. The fort was named for Thomas G. Stevenson, a Civil War general who was killed in the Battle of Spotsylvania.

Built on the north bank of the Missouri River to guard traffic during a peak commercial period, the fort primarily served as a supply base to Fort Totten, 126 miles to the east. Régis de Trobriand commanded the post from 1867 to 1870 and was promoted to brevet brigadier general in 1868.

Life at the fort features heavily in de Trobriand's memoir, describing interactions with the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara tribes and their hostilities with the Sioux. The fort's ten main buildings were constructed from local materials including cottonwood trunks and mud bricks, which degraded quickly in Dakota's harsh winters.

The fort was abandoned in 1883 with the sale of all buildings and property. The original site was inundated by rising waters of Garrison Reservoir, later renamed Lake Sakakawea, in the late 1950s.

Map

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Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Stevenson
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/R%C3%A9gis_de_Trobriand
• https://news.prairiepublic.org/show/dakota-datebook-archive/2022-05-22/fort-stevenson
• https://www.jamestownsun.com/community/dakota-datebook-fort-stevenson
• https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=283123
• https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/uw-ndshs/id/1548/
• https://www.parkrec.nd.gov/fort-stevenson-state-park
• https://www.ndtourism.com/garrison/attractions-entertainment/family-fun/fort-stevenson-state-park

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