You are standing in an approximate area of where the Fort Abraham Lincoln Amphitheater once stood.
A dramatic telling of the story of Custer, the 7th Cavalry, life at Ft. Abraham Lincoln during the post Civil War years, and the Battle of the Little Bighorn staged outdoors each summer at the Custer Memorial Amphitheater starting in 1959 through 1968.
The original production called "Trail West" was written by W. T. Chichester and Frederick G. Walsh. Walsh was instrumental in starting operations at the Burning Hills Amphitheater in Medora, ND with his drama "Old Four Eyes" highlighting the life of Theodore Roosevelt. This production was the predecessor to the "Medora Musical" which continues in production today. Walsh was approached in 1958 by Mandan's Chamber of Commerce to write a play for use at Ft. Lincoln.
The drama boasted the distinction of being located on the exact trail used by General Custer and the men as they left the Fort on May 17, 1876.
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In 1961, Bert Pettey completed a major rewrite of the original script. Starting in with the summer of 1962, the play was referred to as "The Custer Drama." The first year, the production was directed by co-author William Chichester. From 1960 through 1962, George Poletes directed. Other directors included JoAnn (Feldhusen) Zoller from 1963 to 1965 and Winston Miller from 1966-1968.
In 1961, the "Centennial Players" supplemented offerings by staging a production of "Dracula" at the midnight hour after regular performances of the Custer Drama. Persons showing a medical card with AB negative blood-type were admitted free.
Tryouts were held each spring at the World War Memorial Building (current City Hall) to fill the roles for 80 cast members. The 2000-seat amphitheater equipped with a 110-foot stage hosted the event from July 1 through Labor Day with performances on Wednesday through Sunday each week. Professional actors from cities such as Duluth and Chicago were recruited for the half dozen lead roles. The budget for the production in 1959 was $75,000 ($555,000 in 2010 dollars) which was raised by local merchants, citizens, fraternal and civic organizations.
www. mandanhistory.org
Vehicle passes are required to enter all North Dakota State Parks and can be obtained at the Entrance Booth, Visitor Center, or by visiting our website at www.parkrec.nd.gov. Only authorized personnel may place geocaches of any format on North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department properties. This geocache was placed with the permission of FALSP staff.
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