ABERCROMBIE, NORTH DAKOTA

Originally established as the first military post in North Dakota, Fort Abercrombie was built in August 1858 on the west bank of the Red River. Erected on a slab of land formed by an elbow or oxbow of the Red River, the fort was protected on three sides by the River and on the fourth by a narrow entryway. However, this location proved subject to flooding and in the spring of 1858, the fort was moved to its present location. Named after its first commander, Lt. Col. John J. Abercrombie, the fort was abandoned in 1859 but reoccupied in 1860.

The fort became a link in the chain of military posts extending along the route from St. Paul, Minnesota to the Montana gold fields. In addition to monitoring traffic and the fur trade along the Red River to Canada, the fort served as a means of peacekeeping between the Chippewa and Sioux Indians and the wagon trains that brought growing numbers of settlers to the region.

While its most dramatic historic role was in the Minnesota Sioux Uprising of 1862, more commonly called the Dakota Conflict, Fort Abercrombie also played an important part in the history of the northwest frontier. In 1863, the sick and wounded of the General H. H. Sibley Expedition were brought to the Fort. In that same year, and again in 1866, Fisk Expeditions, destined for the gold fields of Montana, stopped at the post for repairs and re-supply. In common with other military posts established to secure safe westward expansion, Fort Abercrombie eventually outlived its usefulness and troops were withdrawn in October 1877.

Early Settlement
The community of Abercrombie, located directly west of the fort, was founded in 1884 when the Fargo and Southern Railroad was established. Settled predominantly by people of Scandinavian descent, the first Abercrombie residents maintained their Lutheran religious affiliation.

Commerce
By the turn of the century, as the hub of an agricultural region, Abercrombie boasted three grain elevators along with several hotels and the railroad depot. A disastrous fire swept though the town in 1902, destroying two of the elevators, the depot, the hotel, the machine house, and the general store. In approximately 1905, First National Bank erected a commercial building to house its operations. This building is the only commercial building located south of Main Street that is still standing. The village of Abercrombie was incorporated in 1904 and became a city in 1972.

Present
In 1998 the State Historical Society of North Dakota, with support from the Friends of Fort Abercrombie, began a phased project to restore and reconstruct the original fort. Prior to restoration, the remains of the original Fort included three blockhouses in varying degrees of decay, a guardhouse, and the palisade perimeter, a fence of stakes built for defense. Upon completion of the four-phased project, the restoration will include an interpretative center to tell of the important role Fort Abercrombie played in the early days of North Dakota's history. With a population of approximately 300 people, Abercrombie continues to flourish and to provide a good business center for residents of the surrounding area.

Discover this military post
Fort Abercrombie served the early Dakota settlements, guarded wagon trains and steamboat traffic along the Red River to Canada from 1857 to 1877. Learn the story of how the fort was attacked by Sioux warriors during the Dakota Conflict of 1862. Hear how this military installation became a supply depot for wagon trains and expeditions west in search for gold. Fort Abercrombie is one of 56 North Dakota state historic sites managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

Fort Abercrombie hosts a local museum and store. Visitors can take advantage of a self-guided audio site tour. The Fort is ADA accessible, with on-site parking, modern facilities and picnic areas.

The fort is open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is closed Monday and Tuesday. For more information call 701-553-8513.