The northeast bastion and north palisade wall foundations after excava...
The northeast bastion and north palisade wall foundations after excavation.
doing pottery, National Parks gallery
Pottery was one of many skills workers had at the fort.
Fall colors along the Missouri River
A late September view of the Missouri River channel as seen from Fort Union Trading Post's palisade wall gallery. During the trading post's active years, 1828-1867, the Missouri River flowed passed the fort at ... More
The trade room - National Parks Gallery
Headman from the Upper Missouri tribes often met with Fort Union's traders in this reconstructed trade room. During the post's active years, 1828-1867, they often would sit on bison robes on the floor and then ... More
Southwest bastion, National Parks gallery
Fort Union Trading Post's southwest bastion as seen from the west. This 1980s reconstruction is built on the site where gravel miners in the 1930s discovered the buried bastion foundations from the historic 182... More
From the Bodmer Overlook - Public domain scan / drawing
A summertime view of Fort Union Trading Post from the north. The photograph was taken from Bodmer Overlook, the spot where Swiss artist Karl Bodmer sketched his famous drawing of the most prominent fur trade po... More
Jousting moose bulls - National Parks Gallery
Two moose bulls lock antlers in a contest of wills. The test of strength is viewed from the gallery along Fort Union Trading Post's south palisade wall. The bulls are tussling in the Missouri River channel at t... More
What it must have looked like - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
What must the fort have looked like when approached on the Missouri River from the west? This view offers a hint. The picture is taken from down in the former channel of the Missouri River when the post was in ... More
Northeast bastion, National Parks gallery
Fort Union Trading Post's whitewashed, red-roofed northeast bastion is topped with a buffalo weather vane. Visible on the left is the fort's east palisade. In the background, wood-pole tepee frames similar to t... More
Emerging into the light - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Richardson's Ground Squirrels are year-long North Dakota residents. As this one does, they emerge in the spring after hibernating for the winter in their burrows. This individual had burrowed beneath the beams ... More
Front gate and fur press - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Fort Union Trading Post's front gate and southwest bastion overlook the north bank of the Missouri River. When this American Fur Company-built trading post operated, 1828-1867, steamboats unloaded their cargo o... More
Brass Button (FOUS 7054) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
A stylized brass button with a five-petal flower design. According to archeologist, William J. Hunt, this button was probably machine made after 1830.
Brass Button (FOUS 7050) - coin, public domain photograph
A stylized brass button. According to archeologist, William J. Hunt, plain buttons were manufactured between 1800 and 1830. Since this button has an eleven-petalled flower design, we can assume it was manufactu... More
Projectile Point (FOUS 85666) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
As early as 1832, George Catlin noted that American Indians used metal-tipped arrows. This metal point is trapezoidal in shape with tapered and pointed end.
Iron Point (FOUS 16788) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
In the hands of a skilled hunter, iron-tipped arrowheads like this one could easily kill a buffalo or man. George Catlin, the artist who visited Fort Union in 1832, noted the strength and advantage of an arrow:... More
Bodmer Overlook: A higher perspective
A few steps nearer the top of Bodmer Overlook one begins to see the vast expanse of the area surrounding the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers' confluence. That confluence of these major rivers is marked by the d... More
Projectile Point (FOUS 16788) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
In the hands of a skilled hunter, iron-tipped arrowheads like this one could easily kill a buffalo or man. George Catlin, the artist who visited Fort Union in 1832, noted the strength and advantage of an arrow:... More
Projectile Point (FOUS 85666) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
As early as 1832, George Catlin noted that American Indians used metal-tipped arrows. This metal point is trapezoidal in shape with tapered and pointed end.
Projectile Point (FOUS 85666) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
As early as 1832, George Catlin noted that American Indians used metal-tipped arrows. This metal point is trapezoidal in shape with tapered and pointed end.
Karl Bodmer - Where Bodmer painted
The view as one approaches the top of Fort Union Trading Post's Bodmer Overlook. At this spot in 1833, the Swiss artist Karl Bodmer sketched the first drafts of what later becomes the most famous view created o... More
James Madison to C. Fenimore Williston, March 19, 1836.
Transcripts, guides, and tools to help you use this collection may be found at loc.gov James Madison Papers.
Thirteen-lined ground squirrel - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
In 1843, the naturalist John James Audubon and his illustrator Isaac Sprague drew at least one sketch of two thirteen-lined ground squirrels at Fort Union Trading Post. If one looks closely at their sketch--the... More
Culpeper, Virginia. Lt. Williston and horse. U.S. Horse Artillery
Public domain historical photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Copper Point (FOUS 97844) - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
In 1870, Harpers Weekly published “Making Arrows”, an article that describes the speed and agility of a skilled American Indian hunter: “grasping his bow and five or six arrows in the left hand, [the archer] wi... More
Copper Point (FOUS 97844) - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
In 1870, Harpers Weekly published “Making Arrows”, an article that describes the speed and agility of a skilled American Indian hunter: “grasping his bow and five or six arrows in the left hand, [the archer] wi... More
Metal Point (FOUS 1403) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
“In ancient times the heads were rudely hammered out of flint,” an unattributed 1870 Harpers Weekly article, “Making Arrows,” said, “but now they are made from hoop-iron and are of course much more effective.” ... More
Projectile Point (FOUS 1403) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gal...
“In ancient times the heads were rudely hammered out of flint,” an unattributed 1870 Harpers Weekly article, “Making Arrows,” said, “but now they are made from hoop-iron and are of course much more effective.” ... More
Juniors at Tent Williston, Junior Rally, C.E., Washington, D.C.
Group of children posed standing in foreground. 46420-BB U.S. Copyright Office. No. 11389.
![Williston Church, birthplace of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn4/L3Bob3RvLzE5MDAvMDEvMDEvd2lsbGlzdG9uLWNodXJjaC1iaXJ0aHBsYWNlLW9mLXNvY2lldHktb2YtY2hyaXN0aWFuLWVuZGVhdm9yLXBvcnRsYW5kLW1lLTEwMjQuanBn/40/31/webp "Williston Church, birthplace of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.")
Williston Church, birthplace of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Portl...
Public domain photograph of church building, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
![[Williston Church, birthplace of Society of Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.]](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn4/L3Bob3RvLzE5MDQvMDEvMDEvd2lsbGlzdG9uLWNodXJjaC1iaXJ0aHBsYWNlLW9mLXNvY2lldHktb2YtY2hyaXN0aWFuLWVuZGVhdm9yLXBvcnRsYW5kLW1lLTEtMTAyNC5qcGc%3D/40/50/webp "[Williston Church, birthplace of Society of Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.]")
[Williston Church, birthplace of Society of Christian Endeavor, Portla...
Public domain photo of a monument, historic place, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
![Williston Church, birth-place of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn4/L3Bob3RvLzE5MDQvMDEvMDEvd2lsbGlzdG9uLWNodXJjaC1iaXJ0aC1wbGFjZS1vZi1zb2NpZXR5LW9mLWNocmlzdGlhbi1lbmRlYXZvci1wb3J0bGFuZC1tZS0xMDI0LmpwZw%3D%3D/40/32/webp "Williston Church, birth-place of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Portland, Me.")
Williston Church, birth-place of [Society of] Christian Endeavor, Port...
Public domain photo of a monument, historic place, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
WILLISTON, E.B. GENERAL - Harris & Ewing, Studio Portrait
A black and white photo of a man in uniform. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
![Shattuck and Williston Halls, Mt. [Mount] Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts.](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn4/L3Bob3RvLzE5MDgvMDEvMDEvc2hhdHR1Y2stYW5kLXdpbGxpc3Rvbi1oYWxscy1tdC1tb3VudC1ob2x5b2tlLWNvbGxlZ2Utc291dGgtaGFkbGV5LW1hc3MtMTAyNC5qcGc%3D/40/31/webp "Shattuck and Williston Halls, Mt. [Mount] Holyoke College, South Hadley, Massachusetts.")
Shattuck and Williston Halls, Mt. [Mount] Holyoke College, South Hadle...
Public domain image of a large historic building, city hall, urban architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description
McALPIN, CHARLES WILLISTON - Public domain portrait photograph
A man in a top hat and coat standing on a sidewalk. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Experimental farm, Williston, N. Dak., Panoramic Photograph
J195829 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Christen V. Olson; September 8, 1914; DLC/PP-1914:44837. No. 2.
Experimental farm, Williston, N. Dak., Panoramic Photograph
J195828 U.S. Copyright Office Copyright deposit; Christen V. Olson; September 8, 1914; DLC/PP-1914:44837. No. 1.
McALPIN, CHARLES WILLISTON - Public domain portrait photograph
A man in a top hat and coat holding a piece of paper. Public domain portrait photograph, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Circular sandstone metate (left; FOUS 723) and Mano (FOUS 3906)
Pommes blanches, or Pediomelum argophyllum, is more commonly called Indian breadroot. The plant’s energy-rich and nutritious root was harvested, as Audubon observed, and frequently ground into a flour that the ... More
Tatanka Oyate drum group - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Tatanka Oyate drum group Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bone Awl (FOUS 432) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Before metal awls became available at Fort Union, women from the Northern Plains tribes often relied on bone awls to make holes in thick animal hides. What animal bones did they use? Buffalo, deer, and elk are ... More
Five Lead Musket Balls (FOUS 2704)
Five lead, .50 caliber musket balls for a muzzle-loading gun. Like FOUS 181, 1023, and 1450, these balls were probably used in a musket such as the Northwest Trade gun. Inventories, letters, and orders indicate... More
A trade post at sunset - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
As a September sun sets, Fort Union Trading Post's shadow-blackened walls and buildings stand out sharply against the fire-orange sky.
Copper Point (FOUS 98266) - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
This copper projectile point was found during Fort Union’s 1988 archeological excavations. Notice anything unusual? The green coloring you see is not a decorative element but rather copper carbonate, the presen... More
Indian Arts Special Presenter Tyler Medicine Horse
Tyler Medicine Horse Public domain photograph of primitivism, folk art, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bone Awl (FOUS 24755) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This awl made from either mule or white-tailed deer bone would have been used to punch holes into different hides. American Indian women would then sew hides together with dried sinew, or tendon, the tissue tha... More
Bone Checker (FOUS 17012) - coin, public domain photograph
Unpainted bone checker that may not be from the trading post era.
Metal Ball (FOUS 575) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This 3.2 oz. molded metal ball is another example of grapeshot unearthed during the Fort Union excavations. As with FOUS 151, it may have been made for use in a swivel gun. Such guns might have been mounted on ... More
Fur Press Construction - National Parks Gallery
During living history weekend, member of the Fort Union Muzzle Loaders constructed a historic fur press, September 1998
Indian Arts Presenter Geneva Goodbear
Indian Arts Presenter Geneva Goodbear Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Needle (FOUS 85601) - National Parks Gallery
Once available at Upper Missouri Outfit trading posts like Fort Union, metal needles became popular trade items. American Indian and Metis, or mixed blood, women in the 1800s used metal needles much like they d... More
Oxbow Projectile Point (FOUS 49993)
Knife River flint, quarried in North Dakota has been found across North America. Why? Because skilled arrowhead-makers could predict how the flint would fracture when struck or knapped. This Knife River flint o... More
Corner Notched Projectile Point (FOUS 71101)
This corner-notched projectile point is made from silicified, or petrified, wood. Silicified wood is created when silica, a mineral, is dissolved in water that is then absorbed by and replaces wood’s cellular s... More
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Projectile Point (FOUS 85649) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Projectile points were crafted for two uses, hunting and warfare. This particular point resembles a point made for warfare. What is the difference? This point has a rear-pointing triangular end; these barbs wou... More
Plains Side-Notched Projectile Point (FOUS 99187)
This point was made by a process known as flint-knapping. Flint-knapping is the method of shaping stones by striking, or knapping, naturally brittle rock with a piece of antler, bone or rock. This Knife River f... More
Side-Notched Projectile Point (FOUS 71265)
Porcellanite is a hard, dense rock that resembles unglazed porcelain. Found during Fort Union’s archeological excavations, this side-notched projectile point may have been made, or knapped, between 1,500 BP and 200 BP.
Complete Bone Gaming Die (FOUS 32558)
Archeologists identified seven different types, or patterns, of Native American bone dice. Two of these seven, including the one pictured here, had never before been encountered by archeologists. A first-ever-o... More
National parks: 2 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: 3 - public domain image
Picryl description: Public domain image of a construction site, wooden frame, timber, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Projectile Point (FOUS 16793) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Soon, American Indians would begin to make their own metal points out of scrap metal such as worn out kettles. This iron point is triangular in shape with a serrated tang. The tang is the projection from the ba... More
Bone Awl (FOUS 433) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
In American Indian societies, women typically made clothing from deer, elk, and other animal hides. To stich hides together, they would use buffalo and other sinew like thread. Most needles could not puncture t... More
Metal Scissor (FOUS 8667) - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
American Indian and Métis women used scissors to cut leather for moccasins, plus fabric for shirts, trousers, and coats. The Métis are the children of the Euro-American fur traders and their American Indian wives.
Metal Awl (FOUS 903) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Metal awls like this one were brought to America by Europeans, who had been using them since the Iron Age. In the Western Hemisphere, American Indians had also used awls to puncture holes into tough animal hide... More
Bastion under Construction - National Parks Gallery
The northeast bastion under construction in 1989. The east palisade wall is completed.
Pelican Lake Projectile Point (FOUS 3911)
The Lynch Quarry Site in central western North Dakota was a major quarrying site for Knife River flint. A highly prized lithic, Knife River flint was knapped into projectile points like this one, a corner-notch... More
Twenty-six Lead Balls (FOUS 1450)
Twenty-six .50 caliber lead ball reproductions. During the fur trade, lead balls like these would have been used in smoothbore muskets such as the Northwest trade gun. The Northwest trade gun was specifically m... More
Metal Ball (FOUS 575) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This 3.2 oz. molded metal ball is another example of grapeshot unearthed during the Fort Union excavations. As with FOUS 151, it may have been made for use in a swivel gun. Such guns might have been mounted on ... More
Five Lead Balls (FOUS 2704) - Public domain natural history illustrati...
Five lead, .50 caliber musket balls for a muzzle-loading gun. Like FOUS 181, 1023, and 1450, these balls were probably used in a musket such as the Northwest Trade gun. Inventories, letters, and orders indicate... More
Stone Masons Laying Stone Veneer on Bastion
Stone masons laying the stone veneer on one of the bastions.
Projectile Point (FOUS 16793) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Soon, American Indians would begin to make their own metal points out of scrap metal such as worn out kettles. This iron point is triangular in shape with a serrated tang. The tang is the projection from the ba... More
Projectile Point (FOUS 94935) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
For American Indian men, the bow and arrow was an essential tool. Even with the introduction of the gun, American Indians continued to utilize this powerful weapon well into the last half of the 19th century. T... More
Metal Point (FOUS 58276) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Factory-made metal arrowheads were first introduced to American Indians by Europeans. Their adoption helped the bow and arrow remain a popular hunting technology among the Plains peoples up until the second hal... More
National parks: 2 - public domain image
Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: 6 - public domain image
Public domain photograph of a post office building, postal service, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Lois Red Elk Traditional Artisan
Lois Red Elk Traditional Artisan Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Excavations in the Fort's Southwest Corner
The 1988 excavations in the fort's southwest corner.
Projectile Point (FOUS 84275) - Public Domain image, National Parks Ga...
Besides being made on site by the fort’s blacksmiths, many metal projectile points like this iron one could have been massed produced in a factory and then shipped to the different trading posts.
Pelican Lake Projectile Point (FOUS 3911)
The Lynch Quarry Site in central western North Dakota was a major quarrying site for Knife River flint. A highly prized lithic, Knife River flint was knapped into projectile points like this one, a corner-notch... More
National parks: 4 - public domain image
Public domain photograph of American trade card, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers in the Trade House
New Town Eagle Feathers Dancers Boys in the Trade House
Loren Yellowbird and sons - Public Domain image, National Parks Galler...
Loren Yellowbird and sons Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Three Lead Musket Balls (FOUS 2701)
Three lead musket balls of different calibers: .32, .38,and .41. How does one know which is which? Caliber refers to both the diameter of the ball and a gun’s barrel. The larger the ball, the larger its caliber... More
Brass Thimble (FOUS 573) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Although Euro-American women typically used brass thimbles like this one to protect their fingertips while sewing, American Indians acquired them for another, unrelated purpose, as a decorative element for clot... More
Iron Ball (FOUS 1024) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
This 1.0 caliber iron ball is another example of grapeshot unearthed during the Fort Union excavations. This ball may have been manufactured for a large muzzle-loading gun.
Fort Union Association Inaugural Board
Incorporated in 1993, at which time it assumed responsibility for the visitor center bookstore, the Fort Union Association (FUA) has supported the historic site's educational and interpretive programs. Pictured... More
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers - Public Domain image, National Parks G...
New Town Eagle Feather Dancers Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Mount Rushmore Superintendent Gerard Baker
Mount Rushmore Superintendent Gerard Baker Public domain photograph related to US National Parks, Nature, conservation, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Construction of Benches - National Parks Gallery
Fort Union Muzzle Loader members constructing benches. You can see the completed boat in the back right corner of the photograph.
Construction of Hunter’s Shack - A group of people sitting on top of a...
Civil War weekend, Dave Evanson and others build hunter’s shack under the west palisade wall. 1996
Corner-Notched Projectile Point (FOUS 71101)
This corner-notched projectile point is made from silicified, or petrified, wood. Silicified wood is created when silica, a mineral, is dissolved in water that is then absorbed by and replaces wood’s cellular s... More
Buffalo Hide Tipi Interior - Public Domain image, National Parks Galle...
Buffalo Hide Tipi Interior Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: 4 - public domain image
Public domain photograph of American trade card, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Teen girls fancy dancing - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Teen girls fancy dancing Public domain photograph by National Parks Administration, nature conservation, tourism, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
National parks: 7 - public domain image
Picryl description: Public domain photograph group portrait, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Bone Domino (FOUS 975) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Half of a flat, rectangular bone gaming domino. Both faces on the domino are blank with a centered-drilled hole at the broken edge, as if intended for secondary use. This piece connects with FOUS 24642, which i... More
Glass Bead (FOUS 38463) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Greenish-Blue, ellipsoidal, furnace-wound and shaped bead with inlaid complex twisted spiral stripe. According to Lester A. Ross, author of Trade Beads from Archeological Excavations at Fort Union Trading Post ... More
Glass Bead (FOUS 39615) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Very light brownish-yellow, furnace wound and shaped glass bead. According to Lester A. Ross, author of Trade Beads from Archeological Excavations at Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site, “a furnace-w... More
Single bit American axe head_FOUS 85646
Picryl description: Public domain image of a coal mine, industrial facility, mining industry, early 20th-century industrial architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.
Bone Needle (FOUS 32480) - Public Domain image, National Parks Gallery
Before Europeans provided access to metal needles as trade items, American Indians made their own needles out of splinters of sharpened bone. This is one that archeologists discovered during their 1986 Fort Uni... More