Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site

Fort Untion Trading Post National Historic Site

"Fort Union Trading Post" by J. Stephen Conn is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Quick Facts

Location:

Williston, ND

Significance:

Fort Union was the most important fur trading post on the upper Missouri, 1828-1867

Designation:

National Historic Site

Amenities

5 listed

Benches/Seating, Gifts/Souvenirs/Books, Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits, Information - Ranger/Staff Member Present, Telephone

Lewis and Clark NHT Visitor Centers and Museums

This map shows a range of features associated with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which commemorates the 1803-1806 Lewis and Clark Expedition. The trail spans a large portion of the North American continent, from the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to the mouth of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The trail is comprised of the historic route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, an auto tour route, high potential historic sites (shown in black), visitor centers (shown in orange), and pivotal places (shown in green). These features can be selected on the map to reveal additional information. Also shown is a base map displaying state boundaries, cities, rivers, and highways. The map conveys how a significant area of the North American continent was traversed by the Lewis and Clark Expedition and indicates the many places where visitors can learn about their journey and experience the landscape through which they traveled.

Located near the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers in Williston, North Dakota, Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site is a reconstruction of Fort Union, a prosperous trading post from 1828 to 1867. 

Situated on a gravel bank high above the river to evade annual flooding, Fort Union was a key fur trading post along the Upper Missouri that facilitated the trade of over a hundred thousand dollars of items annually. Within its high walls lived an internationally diverse group of individuals and traders that intermingled with people from the Upper Missouri River tribes.  

In 1966, Congress established Fort Union as a historic site to commemorate the significant role the trading post played in American history. Reconstruction on the remnants of the old fort began in the winter of 1986 and, in the summer of 1987, the reconstructed Post Managers’ house was unveiled. From then on, the building has served as the site’s visitor center.  

Today, the Fort Union Trading Post offers a unique glimpse into the history of American trade. The trading post is open daily and provides education on Fort Union’s significance. Call 701-572-9083 for more information.