Big Hidatsa Village Site
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Big Hidatsa Village Site | |
 Big Hidatsa Village | |
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| Nearest city | Stanton, North Dakota |
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| Coordinates | 47°20′22″N 101°22′56″W / 47.33946°N 101.38214°WCoordinates: 47°20′22″N 101°22′56″W / 47.33946°N 101.38214°W |
| Area | 15 acres (6.1 ha) |
| NRHP Reference # | 66000600[1] |
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
The Big Hidatsa site, occupied between ca. 1740 and 1850, is an earthlodge located in the 1,758 acre Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site in North Dakota, United States.[2][2][3] This National Historic Site was established in 1974 “to focus on the cultures and lifestyles of the Plains Indians”, and is a National Park Service Park.[3][4][5]
Location
The Big Hidatsa site is located near the junction of the Knife and Missouri Rivers close to Stanton, North Dakota.[5] This location was a stop on the expedition of Lewis and Clark. Big Hidatsa was the largest village of the three on the site, with about 120 round earthlodges.[2] Fort Mandan was built about 2 miles away from Big Hidatsa by the Lewis and Clark expedition.[2]
History
The Big Hidatsa site and its neighbors are the villages at which Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery were assisted by Sacagawea during their expedition.[3] When the explorers arrived in winter 1804,[2] between 4,000 and 5,000 Hidatsa and Mandan lived in this area, and there were more than 200 lodges.[5] Each of these earthlodges could hold 20 to 30 people.[2]
After Fort Mandan was erected by the Discovery Corps, trading was conducted between the men of the expedition and people of Big Hidatsa.[2] In fact, some artifacts from the inhabitants of the nearby site and its neighbors were sent to President Thomas Jefferson.[2] Communications with the Hidatsa and Mandan people here provided invaluable information about the culture and history of the people in the west.[2]
Today
Depressions in the ground can be seen where the lodges once stood because the dirt surrounding the structures collapsed after it was abandoned.[3] Several invasive species, harmful tree fungus, and the erosion of the riverbank threaten the site.[5] The park has a rich collection of artifacts from the people who lived at the site.
The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is also a destination for Canoeing and hiking.[6] Canoeists who frequent the Knife or Missouri rivers can pass through the park.
Notes
- ↑ Staff (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark
- 1 2 3 4 Knife River Indian Villages
- ↑ National Park Service
- 1 2 3 4 National Parks Conservation Association
- ↑ North Dakota Water Science Center
References
- “Big Hidatsa Village Site” , National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark, Retrieved 2012-11-18
- “Knife River Description” , North Dakota Water Science Center, Retrieved 2012-11-18
- Knife River Indian Villages, “History and Culture” , National Park Service, Retrieved 2012-11-18
- “Knife River Indian Village National Historic Site” , National Park Service Journal of Lewis and Clark, Retrieved 2012-11-18
- “Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site” , National Parks Conservation Association, Retrieved 2012-11-18
- “Knife River Indian Villages National Historical Site North Dakota” , Knife River Indian Villages, Retrieved 2012-11-18
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