Fort Berthold facts for kids

Fort Berthold was the name for two important places on the Missouri River in North Dakota. Both started as posts where people traded furs. The second Fort Berthold later became a base for the U.S. Army. After that, it served as an agency for the Arikara, Hidatsa, and Mandan Native American tribes. Today, both fort sites are covered by the waters of Lake Sakakawea.

What Was Fort Berthold?

Fort Berthold was a key location in the American West. It played a big role in the fur trade and in the history of the U.S. Army. It also became a central point for several Native American tribes. These forts were not just buildings. They were busy places where different cultures met and traded.

Who Was Bartholomew Berthold?

The forts were named after Bartholomew Berthold. He was born in Italy in 1780. Berthold became a very successful merchant and fur trader in St. Louis. He worked with famous families like the Chouteau and Astor families. These families were very important in the early American fur trade.

The First Fort Berthold

The first Fort Berthold was built by the American Fur Company. This company was a giant in the fur trading business.

From Fort James to Fort Berthold

This first fort was started in 1845 on the Missouri River. It was first called Fort James. But in 1846, its name was changed to Fort Berthold. It was a busy place for trading furs and other goods.

Why Was It Destroyed?

Sadly, the first Fort Berthold was burned down in 1862. This happened because of fighting during the Dakota War of 1862. The Sioux people were involved in these conflicts.

The Second Fort Berthold

After the first fort was destroyed, a new one took its place. This second fort had its own interesting history.

From Fort Atkinson to Fort Berthold

The second Fort Berthold actually started as Fort Atkinson. It was an independent fur trading post. Charles Larpenteur built it in 1858. It was located on the Missouri River, south of what is now White Shield, North Dakota. After the first Fort Berthold was burned, the American Fur Company bought Fort Atkinson in 1862. They then renamed it Fort Berthold.

An Army Post and Indian Agency

During the American Civil War, the Union Army fought against the Sioux. The Army kept soldiers at Fort Berthold. They even built a log camp outside the fur trading post during the winter of 1864-1865. It stayed an army post until 1867. Then, the soldiers moved to Fort Stevenson.

After the Army left, the fort changed hands again. From 1868, it became an "Indian Agency." This meant it was a place where the U.S. government worked with the Arikara, Hidatsa, and Mandan tribes. These tribes now live on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. The fort also kept working as a trading post until 1874.

Where Are the Forts Now?

Both sites of Fort Berthold are now underwater. They were covered when Lake Sakakawea was created. This large lake was formed by the Garrison Dam in 1953.