Pierre to Bismarck
The Land of Sitting Bull

The Lewis and Clark Encounter at Bad River – One of Fort Pierre’s most significant historical sites is the confluence of the Bad River and the Missouri River. Here, in September 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition had a pivotal encounter with the Teton Lakota (Sioux) people. This meeting, though tense, marked a critical moment in their journey of exploration and cultural exchange.

The Verendrye Monument – Fort Pierre is also home to the Verendrye Monument, a National Historic Landmark honoring French explorers who traveled through the region nearly 60 years before Lewis and Clark. From the hilltop monument, visitors enjoy sweeping views of the Missouri River valley, a landscape much like the one that greeted early explorers centuries ago.

Dive deeper into the area’s heritage at the Casey Tibbs South Dakota Rodeo Center. This museum celebrates the life of legendary rodeo cowboy Casey Tibbs and the broader history of South Dakota’s ranching and rodeo culture. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the spirit of the American West.

Across the river, Pierre, South Dakota, offers a rich tapestry of historical and heritage travel experiences, highlighting the area’s Native American culture, westward expansion, and frontier history. Here’s a synopsis of what travelers can explore:

You will arrive in Mobridge on the east side of the river. Cross over the bridge and turn south on State Highway 1806 toward the Sitting Bull and Sacagawea monuments. Sitting Bull was initially buried near Fort Yates, North Dakota, on the Standing Rock Reservation, where he had spent his later years. This unmarked grave became the site of a 1953 memorial, erected by the state of North Dakota to honor his legacy. However, in the same year, a group of Lakota men, along with Mobridge, South Dakota representatives, claimed to have exhumed his remains from Fort Yates and reburied them near Mobridge, closer to his birthplace. This new site was marked by a granite monument and a bust of Sitting Bull, created by sculptor Korczak Ziolkowski, who also worked on the Crazy Horse Memorial. The view here is spectacular.

Take in the panorama offered at this high point where you can overlook the Missouri River.

Fort Manuel Lisa, located on the west bank of the Missouri River about 70 miles south of Bismarck, North Dakota, in present-day South Dakota, holds dual historical significance. Established in 1812 by Manuel Lisa, a prominent trader of the Missouri Fur Company, it was among the first fortified posts of the upper Missouri fur trade era.

Despite its brief existence, Fort Manuel played a role in international conflict during the War of 1812. On March 5, 1813, it was attacked and destroyed by Native Americans, reportedly at the instigation of the British, resulting in the massacre of 15 of Lisa’s men.

The site is also notable as the place where Sacagawea, the legendary member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, died on December 20, 1812. John C. Luttig, Lisa’s clerk at Fort Manuel, kept a journal that included this entry for 20 December 1812: “This Evening the Wife of Charbonneau a Snake Squaw, died of a putrid fever she was a good and best Woman in the fort, aged about 25 years she left a fine infant girl.”

Luttig was named guardian of Jean Baptiste and Lisette in a St. Louis court document. His name was later replaced with that of William Clark, who paid for the raising and education of the children in St Louis. When Clark wrote his list of the fates of expedition members sometime between 1825 and 1828, he noted Sacagawea as deceased.

Another story of Sacagawea’s later years and death must be mentioned, the oral tradition of the Eastern Shoshone people. (Sacagawea’s people were western Shoshones who lived in the present Lemhi River valley, in Idaho.) The story handed down among the Wind River Shoshones is that Sacagawea adopted an Eastern Shoshone man named Bazil, as her son, and in her later years moved to live with him in Wyoming. There, according to Eastern Shoshone tradition, she is said to have died in 1884, at nearly 100 years of age, and was buried at Fort Washakie on the Wind River [Shoshone] Indian Reservation.

Today the original site of Fort Manuel is under the impounded waters of Lake Oahe, created by damming the Missouri River. The replica represents what the fort likely looked like.

Fort Yates, located on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in North Dakota, holds significant historical and cultural importance, particularly in connection to Sitting Bull, one of the most prominent Lakota leaders. Fort Yates serves as the headquarters of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, which spans both North Dakota and South Dakota. Established in 1874 as a military outpost, the fort was intended to oversee relations between the U.S. government and the Sioux Nation. Standing Rock itself is home to the Lakota (Western Sioux) and Dakota (Eastern Sioux) peoples, and the reservation is rich in culture, history, and traditions tied deeply to the land. The name “Standing Rock” refers to a stone formation traditionally significant to the Lakota and Dakota people, symbolizing a woman and child turned to stone during their journey for survival.

Sitting Bull, a Hunkpapa Lakota leader, is perhaps best known for his resistance to U.S. government policies, especially his leadership during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876, where his forces famously defeated General George Armstrong Custer. Sitting Bull’s connection to Fort Yates is marked by his arrest near Standing Rock in 1890, a time of rising tensions linked to the Ghost Dance movement, which the U.S. government feared could incite rebellion. Tragically, Sitting Bull was killed during an attempted arrest by Indian police at his camp near the Grand River, not far from the fort. The location of his burial remains debated, with some believing he was buried near Fort Yates, while others argue his remains were moved to Mobridge, South Dakota.

Travelers along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail are encouraged to stop and explore the On-A-Slant Indian Village at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan, North Dakota. This historic site offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the Mandan people, who inhabited the area from approximately 1575 to the late 1700s. Nestled on a sloping bank near the Missouri River, the village features reconstructed earthlodges, showcasing the Mandan’s traditional architectural ingenuity and agricultural lifestyle. Guided tours are available daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and visitors can also enjoy exhibits on Mandan history, camping facilities, hiking trails, and a gift shop with handcrafted souvenirs.  To plan your visit, check current hours and events by contacting the park at (701) 667-6340 or visiting their official website.

In Bismarck, North Dakota, several historic sites offer insights into the region’s rich heritage. The North Dakota State Capitol, known as the “Skyscraper on the Prairie,” stands as the tallest building in the state and showcases Art Deco architecture. Visitors can take guided tours to learn about the state’s government and history, while the surrounding Capitol Grounds feature monuments, statues, and the North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum. The museum, located on the Capitol Grounds, highlights North Dakota’s history, geology, and culture, with exhibits showcasing Native American artifacts, dinosaur fossils, and the story of the state’s settlement and statehood. Another notable landmark is the Sakakawea Statue, located near the Capitol, which honors Sakakawea (Sacagawea), the Shoshone woman who played a crucial role in the Lewis and Clark Expedition.