National Register Listing

Lewis and Clark Hotel

404 W. Main St., Mandan, ND
Local significance of the building:
Commerce; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
  A brief timeline of the Lewis and Clark Expedition
  • 1803: President Thomas Jefferson commissions Meriwether Lewis, his personal secretary, to lead an expedition to explore the western territories of the United States and find a practical route to the Pacific Ocean.
  • 1804: Lewis meets up with William Clark, a former army officer and experienced explorer, in Kentucky. They assemble a team of over 30 men and set out on the journey up the Missouri River.
  • 1805: The expedition reaches the Rocky Mountains and crosses the Continental Divide. They build Fort Clatsop on the Pacific coast and spend the winter there, before returning east in the spring of 1806.
  • 1806: Lewis and Clark split up to explore different routes on their way back to St. Louis. They reunite in September and return to civilization, where they are celebrated as national heroes.
  • 1807: The Lewis and Clark Expedition publishes an official account of their journey, called the "History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark," which becomes a bestseller and helps to promote westward expansion.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a significant event in the history of the United States, as it helped to expand the country's knowledge of its western territories and paved the way for future settlement and exploration of the region.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

commerce politics government architecture inns, hotels, motels
Audiobooks about the history of North Dakota.
The town of Rugby, North Dakota is considered to be the geographical center of North America. A stone marker in the town's courthouse square marks the exact location of the center.
North Dakota random facts
Morton County, North Dakota, has a rich history that spans centuries. The area was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara peoples. These tribes established agricultural communities along the Missouri River, using its fertile land to grow corn, beans, and squash.

In the early 1800s, European explorers and trappers began to visit the area, including American fur trader Charles Larpenteur. The area soon became a hub for fur trading and a gateway to the western frontier. In 1872, the Northern Pacific Railroad reached Morton County, bringing an influx of settlers and leading to the establishment of the county.

The county was named after Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton, a Union Army Vice President during the American Civil War. Agriculture became the backbone of the county's economy, with settlers cultivating wheat, oats, barley, and other crops. The county's location along the Missouri River also made it an important transportation hub for shipping goods.

Over time, Morton County experienced economic ups and downs. The Great Depression of the 1930s hit the agricultural industry hard, causing hardships for many residents. However, during World War II, the county saw a boost in its economy as agricultural production increased to support the war effort.

Today, Morton County continues to be an agricultural powerhouse, with farming and ranching playing a significant role in its economy. The county is also known for its natural beauty, including the stunning prairies, rivers, and Badlands that dot the landscape. With its historical significance and thriving community, Morton County stands as a testament to the resilience and rich heritage of North Dakota.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Morton County, North Dakota.

  • Morton County was officially established on November 14, 1872.
  • In the late 19th century, European immigrants began to settle in the area, primarily coming from Germany, Scandinavia, and Russia.
  • In 1903, the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Reservation was established in Morton County.
  • The county seat, Mandan, was incorporated in 1881, and later merged with the nearby town of Morton in 1992.
  • In 1936, the North Dakota State Industrial School for Boys, later renamed the State Training School, was established in Mandan.
  • Morton County experienced significant growth in the mid-20th century, with the construction of the Garrison Dam and the creation of Lake Sakakawea, attracting tourism and providing economic opportunities.
  • In 1976, the United Tribes Technical College was established in Bismarck, near Morton County, to provide higher education opportunities for Native American students.
  • In recent years, Morton County has been the site of controversial events related to the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, resulting in increased national attention and activism.
  • As of the 2010 census, Morton County had a population of over 27,000 residents.