Fort Seward Traditional Cache
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Difficulty:
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Size: 
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Fort Seward was a military post, built between 1872 and 1877.
Jamestown's Fort Seward, during its short life, initially provided protection for the 500 railroad workers building the Northern Pacific railroad.
After the railroad construction stalled in Bismarck a year later, Fort Seward stabilized the region by aiding US marshals with law enforcement, keeping telegraph lines open, acting as a mail transfer point, and protecting cattle herds en route to the Missouri River.
When the fort was abandoned, it was dismantled and transported to Fort Totten, 81 miles North of Jamestown.
The Fort's brief history provides some colorful stories. One story tells of some soldiers who were court marshaled for shelling the local tavern's outhouse. It seems they were a little upset about being sent back to camp by the tavern's owner before they were ready to leave. The episode is sometimes "reenacted by Fort Seward's 20th Infantry living history actors during their annual encampment in September of each year.
The Wagon Train ~
An annual re-enactment of a pioneer wagon train provides an authentic experience with wagons, horses, pack tents and period costumes for participants. The wagon train began as a one-time experience in 1969, by a group of local citizens as a way to promote and preserve the history of North Dakota, particularly the local history of Jamestown and the Fort Seward site in Jamestown.
Fort Seward Inc., a nonprofit organization, decided to continue offering the wagon train ride each June for those people who wish to relive the pioneer family experience. The wagon train consists of canvas-topped box wagons just like those seen jostling about in western movies. The wagons are pulled by teams of draft horses or mules. An experienced "teamster" is assigned to drive each wagon. The wagon train is equipped with a "chuck wagon." The week-long working trail ride covers about 15 miles a day, starting at Jamestown and following a different trail each year. The train will stop at known historical sites, marked and unmarked, along the way. In the evening the wagons are circled around a campsite, where activities involve arts and crafts, camp craft and nature lore. Trail riders are encouraged to bring their musical instruments, craft material and share them. Singing, skits, history talks, and sharing stories around the campfire signal the end of the day.
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