Fort Rice, Military fort site near Mandan, United States.
Fort Rice was a military installation along the Missouri River featuring wooden palisades, watchtowers, barracks, a hospital, and officers' quarters. The layout spread across several hundred acres and was positioned to control river crossings and main transportation routes.
General Alfred Sully established Fort Rice in 1864 as a military outpost to protect transportation corridors across the Northern Plains. Shortly after its founding, the site became central to mounting conflicts with the Lakota and served as a base for military operations throughout the region.
The site marks a significant crossing point where military personnel and Lakota people came into direct contact, shaping frontier relations in this region.
Visitors can trace building foundations and ground features marked by historic preservation indicators at the site. The open terrain allows for easy walking, though on-site interpretive resources may be limited.
The first winter at this military post proved deadly for the garrison, with casualties from both disease and conflicts with Lakota warriors. This harsh beginning became a defining moment in the fort's short history.
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