Historical

Just 23 miles from Sidney, this scenic and historic site marks the meeting of two mighty rivers. Enjoy the interpretive trails, visit the small gift shop, and learn about the site’s significance to the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

• Type: Historical Point, River Access
• Distance from Sidney: 23 miles

Local Fish Species

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

About 24 miles away, this reconstructed fur trading post lets visitors step into the 1800s. Interpretive exhibits, reenactments, and a visitor center share the story of trade between Plains Tribes and Euro-American merchants.

History of Fort Union

In October 1828, construction of the post was underway and it soon became the center of the Northern Rocky Mountain Fur Trade. At its peak in the 1830’s the post, along with other American Fur Company forts in the region sent to St. Louis an annual harvest of more than 25,000 beaver skins, 30,000 deer skins, and 55,000 buffalo hides. Historians today have come to call Fort Union the largest and most imposing trade post on the Missouri River.

During the mid 1830’s the decline of the fur trade began as textiles began to replace furs on the fashion scene. By the mid 1850’s ownership of the fort had changed hands several times as the demand for furs lessened each passing year. After a short period as the rendezvous point for the Great Northern Railroad survey crews, Fort Union as a money making enterprise ceased to exist.

• Type: Historical Site
• Distance from Sidney: 24 miles

Only 15 miles from Sidney, this park combines historical interest and outdoor recreation. Visit the historic Fairview Lift Bridge, walk a scenic trail, and enjoy fishing access along the Yellowstone River.

• Type: Historical Bridge, Fishing Access
• Distance from Sidney: 15 miles