Fort Abraham Lincoln Upper Post Blockhouse, photo by John Stanton 15 Sep 2013
The cache is NOT at the posted coordinates.
Fort Abraham Lincoln, located near present-day Mandan, North Dakota, served as a crucial military outpost in the late 19th century. Constructed in 1872, the fort was established to protect settlers and facilitate military operations in the Northern Plains. Named after President Abraham Lincoln, it played a significant role in the conflicts with Native American tribes, particularly during the Sioux Wars.
The fort housed several units of the United States Army, including the famous 7th Cavalry Regiment commanded by General George Armstrong Custer. It served as a base for expeditions into the surrounding territories, including the Black Hills and the Yellowstone region. Additionally, Fort Abraham Lincoln was a key supply point for other military posts in the region.
One of the most notable events associated with the fort was the departure of Custer and his troops for the ill-fated expedition to the Little Bighorn in 1876, where they met their tragic end. Following this event, the fort's significance diminished, and it was eventually abandoned in 1891.
Today, Fort Abraham Lincoln is preserved as a state park, offering visitors the opportunity to explore reconstructed buildings and learn about its important role in American history. The park also features the On-A-Slant Mandan Indian Village, providing insights into the lives of Native American tribes who once inhabited the area.
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One of the oldest roads in the state, Fort Road was originally built by the federal government after Fort Ridgely was completed in 1853-54. Supplies were shipped from Fort Snelling to Traverse des Sioux, then transported by wagon to Fort Ridgely.
Nicollet County Road 5 runs more than 42 miles from its eastern terminus at its intersection with US Highway 169 in St Peter to the Renville County line. Old Fort Road presumably extended from Traverse des Sioux, although the portion running through the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College has been blocked off. Fort Road as an address runs from the western edge of St Peter to the end of CR-5.
In an ideal world, a paved trail would have been installed when the road was refurbished in the early 2010s. This planned geocache trail will have to suffice, but won’t alleviate my anxiety when biking here.