Located 29 miles from Sidney, Fort Buford played a major role in frontier military history. The site offers guided tours, a reconstructed barracks, and seasonal programming that brings 19th-century military life to life.

Fort Buford’s History

Fort Buford was the result of the timbers from the Fort Union being sold to the U.S. Army, which constructed a military fort a few miles east of the post. The fort was constructed to protect settlers from the hostile Sioux Indians. The new fort housed five companies of soldiers and a few remnants of Northwestern Fur Company which continued to trade in buffalo hides until the bison were gone.

Over the next 25 years, Fort Buford was to see its share of highlights of war for the plains. At one time or another the fort housed such noted Indian prisoners as Chief Joseph, Crow King, Ran-In-The-Face and even the Hunkpapa Sioux Medicine Man and Sitting Bull.

Today, Fort Buford in maintained as a historical site by the State of North Dakota. There is a visitors center and a museum in one of the restored building on the grounds. A visit to the for is a must for anyone who wants to feel for the military life on the frontier during the latter part of the 19th century.

  • Type: Historical Site
  • Distance from Sidney: 29 miles