1878-1883: Railroad Completes, Mandan Founded, Bismarck Assumes Capital

Former Capitol Building
Former North Dakota State Capitol Building

The years spanning 1878-1883 were quite possibly the most important in Bismarck’s history, cementing Bismarck’s future as a regional center for government, healthcare, and commerce covering hundreds of miles. Among key developments, Bismarck becomes capital of Dakota Territory and home to the territory’s first hospital.

Railroad Construction Resumes; Mandan Founded

Roughly five years after construction abruptly halted, Northern Pacific established a work camp on the west side of the Missouri River to continue its line. By December 1878, the work camp site was chosen as the new county seat for Morton County and christened “Mandan,” named for the Native American Tribe who once occupied the land. Several other names were considered, including simply Morton. Evidently, the local postmaster even attempted to name the town after himself. Mandan joins Bismarck in forming a regional metropolitan.

Prior to Mandan, Morton’s county seat was Lincoln township, a civilian camp located just north of Fort Abraham Lincoln. The former county courthouse, located in Lincoln township, was repurposed into a school.

Less than a year since its formation, Mandan’s population was already estimated at 230 – nearly all railroad workers, and was rapidly increasing.

P.J. Callahan’s “Mandan House” was likely the first business within city limits; a 24×56-foot motel and restaurant for railworkers. The first framed building erected in present-day Mandan was a two-story office for the chief engineer. Lots were first put up for sale and legally transferable in March 1879, by which time 150 lots were already reserved and permits for forty buildings approved. Pat Byrne’s restaurant may have been the first private building permit.

In April, the official plat was filed and a townsite organization established. Edmund Hackett – Bismarck’s first appointed mayor, was elected president of the Association, a close equivalent to mayor. That same month saw the first baby born in Mandan, to Mr. and Mrs. Milan Harmon.

The Mandan Criterion, the city’s first official newspaper, published its first edition on May 24th. It remained Morton County’s official newspaper until the Mandan Pioneer was selected for this honor in January 1882 – three months after its first edition.

In February 1879, General Rosser employed about fifty men to lay down temporary track across “nature’s ice bridge” – the frozen river, connecting Bismarck and Mandan for the first time. Its primary purpose was to transport supplies for the railroad. By the time of its discontinuation on March 11th, 538 carloads of material had been transported across the river.

By this time, track was laid to about five miles west of the Missouri River, almost to the Heart River, and efforts were well underway to recruit around five hundred men for grading the westward line and constructing a bridge to span the Missouri. General laborers were paid $1.25-$1.50 per day and bridge contractors starting around $3.00 per day.

1880-1882: Railroad Bridge and Line Completed

By 1880, Bismarck’s population was nearing 2,000 and it had established a strong foundation to support a prosperous city. At the start of the decade, the Pacific Hotel – later Grand Pacific Hotel – first opens in 1880. It remains operating until 1974.

BNSF/Northern Pacific Railroad Bridge, completed in 1882.

The contract was let in January 1881 to complete the multi-million dollar “great iron bridge” spanning the Missouri River. It finally opened in October 1882, nearly ten years after the railroad first reached Bismarck. While the ceremonial golden spike took place the month prior, in western Montana, the bridge effectively completed the line. To this day, the original granite piers, quarried at Sauk Rapids, Minnesota, still support the structure, but the spans and deck were replaced in 1905 to handle heavier loads.

Construction commenced in June for the Bismarck National Bank building at a cost of $35,000 – northwest corner of 3rd and Main. It was the city’s largest private building upon completion and one of the few to escape the 1898 fire. The bank operates today as BNC National Bank, rebranded in 1995 upon acquiring Metropolitan Federal Bank from Minneapolis-based First Bank System Inc.

1883: Bismarck Assumes Capital

In March 1883, the territorial legislature narrowly passed the capital commission bill that demoted Yankton as capital of Dakota Territory and established requirements for selecting a new capital. The primary justification was to centralize the capital as opposed to Yankton’s distant location at the southeast corner of the territory. Governor Ordway signed the bill, known as house file number 217, on March 8th.

Despite its seemingly obvious choice as capital, however, Bismarck was not initially favored among the dozen or so prospects, and Yankton would not willingly cede the capital without a fight.

Commissioners

Alexander McKenzie during the 1880s. Picture Courtesy North Dakota State Historic Society.

The bill defined the nine-man commission tasked with selecting a new capital, setting a July 1st deadline. It proclaimed that the commissioners be paid $6 per day for their work and that each enter into bonds totaling $40,000.

Two of these commissioners ultimately become among Bismarck’s most notable historical figures. One was Alexander McKenzie, a Northern Pacific agent and lawman from Bismarck who later becomes a powerful political boss. Another, the committee chairman, was General Alexander Hughes of Elk Point, who later establishes Hughes Electric with his son and becomes a principle real estate investor.

Requirements

The commission bill required that the chosen city donate or guarantee $100,000 and 160 acres of land to house a capitol for the seat of government. Another requirement was that the site be central and accessible from all portions of the territory. Commissioners considered both the current and future boundaries, given that there was contemplation that the territory would be split at the 46th parallel to form two states (ultimately, it was the 49th parallel).

Selecting the Capital

At least nine cities were under legitimate consideration to be the new capital. Huron, Mitchell, Pierre, Ordway, Frankfort, and Steele were  first to submit bids, followed by Bismarck, Aberdeen, Redfield, and a handful of others. With the bulk of the population centered in the southern half of Dakota Territory, it was anticipated that the capital would remain there. In particular, Huron and Redfield were thought to be early front-runners.

Statistically, Bismarck was a logical choice. Its location was roughly 40 miles from the territory’s geographic center and would have remained within 50 miles after the foreseeable boundary split. It was also positioned at the crossroad of the northern transcontinental railroad and Missouri River, the highways of the era. Furthermore, the Northern Pacific Railway – and all its clout – favored Bismarck as capital.

In reality, Bismarck was perceived to be on the border of civilization and some viewed the area west as barren waste. By his own admission in an interview with the St. Paul Dispatch, Chairman Hughes’s perception improved after traveling the region during the vetting process.

As an underdog, Bismarck presented a competitive bid that far exceeded the minimum requirements: 320 acres, along with the monetary stipulation. Half of those acres would be sold and guaranteed by private citizens for $300,000, bringing Bismarck’s total offer to $400,000 and 160 acres of land. Northern Pacific would donate the land while private citizens would contribute the remaining funds.

The commissioners visited each city under consideration before convening in Fargo in May to make the final determination. There, in a last-ditch effort, a group of Fargo citizens demanded to persuade Fargo as a contender. After a short hearing, the request was denied. Fargo did not meet the bill’s stipulations requiring the capital be centrally located. The first ballots were cast on June 1st.

Only one commissioner initially voted for Bismarck… Alexander McKenzie, Burleigh County Sheriff and an agent for Northern Pacific. Interestingly, McKenzie himself voted against Bismarck in the second ballot round, opting instead for nearby Steele.

After 13 votes over two days, Bismarck won the majority on June 2nd. McKenzie is credited with negotiating to procure enough votes. In the end, Hughes cast the tie-breaking vote after previously supporting Mitchell and Redfield. Despite the agreeable collaboration between McKenzie and Hughes, the two men later become fierce opponents.

Laying of the Original Capitol's Cornerstone in 1883

Original Capitol’s cornerstone ceremony. Numerous dignitaries attended, including Sitting Bull and former President Ulysses S. Grant.
Source:
State Historical Society of North Dakota (C0865)

Upon approval by the governor, Yankton was immediately stripped of its position. Territorial offices were established in a temporary capitol in Bismarck until a permanent structure could be built. The cornerstone for a new capitol building was laid on September 5. Numerous dignitaries attended, including Sitting Bull and former President Ulysses S. Grant. First occupancy occurred at the end of 1884, just in time for the 1885 legislative assembly. The building serves as capitol, later for North Dakota when the territory is split, until consumed by fire in 1930.

Legal Challenge

Yankton would not surrender the capital easily and challenged the constitutionality of its relocation. Allegedly, only the legislature and governor could assign a capital, not a commission. District Chief Justice Edgerton, a Yankton local, agreed. He granted a restraining order against the commissioners, declared that its officers were appointed illegally, and removed them from office.

The legal matter was appealed to the territorial Supreme Court, who overruled Judge Edgerton’s decision, but not until September 1884, when construction was already nearly complete on the new capitol. Nevertheless, Bismarck was legally victorious in procuring the capital.

Other 1883 Developments

Dakota Block in 2009 – Bismarck’s second-oldest surviving building.

Also in 1883, the Dakota Block, also known as the Flannery Block, is completed that October. The Gothic-style building on the northeast corner of 2nd Street and Main Avenue is Bismarck’s second-oldest surviving building.

Several other significant construction projects that year included the First National Bank building for $65,000, the territorial prison for $50,000, the North Ward School for $30,000, and the Merchants National bank for $27,000.

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