Bismarck was established in 1872 and was originally named ‘Edwinton’ as a tribute to Edwin M. Johnson, who was a prominent engineer for the Northern Pacific Railway company. Before a year went by the town was renamed Bismarck after the German chancellor Otto Von Bismarck in order to entice German immigrants and trade to move to the town.
Bismarck has a large park system and an extensive network of exercise trails. The Bismarck Parks and Recreation District, established in 1927, operates many parks, swimming pools, and several golf courses within the city.
The Belle Mehus Auditorium, a historic building in downtown Bismarck dating to 1914, is a center for the arts in the area. Performances of Northern Plains Dance and the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra are held there.
The North Dakota Great Seal is the state's only symbol that is protected by state law (Section 54-02-01 of the North Dakota Century Code). It cannot be reproduced or modified in any manner for use and is not a public domain image.