The City of Bismarck is the capital of North Dakota, county seat of Burleigh County, and the state’s second largest city with a current estimated population of 60,389.
Bismarck is the core city of the Bismarck-Mandan-Lincoln MSA, which serves over 100,000 citizens. Since its beginning as an isolated frontier town, Bismarck has grown to become a major regional hub for government, business, healthcare, and education.
History
The original Capitol served from 1884 until destroyed by fire in 1930.
Bismarck and the surrounding region have en enormously rich history, with many prominent figures that have included Alexander McKenzie, William Langer, and George Armstrong Custer.
The town that became Bismarck was founded as “Edwinton” in 1872 by the Northern Pacific Railroad after selecting the point at which its transcontinental railroad line would cross the Missouri River. The town’s first structures were commissioned by Doctor Walter Burleigh and erected at Camp Greeley (later called Camp Hancock), which was established as an infantry post and supply depot to ensure expansion of the railroad and protect the town’s initial settlers.
The town was renamed “Bismarck” in July 1873 to honor German Chancellor Auto von Bismarck, in an attempt to attract German immigrants to the area. Bismarck was incorporated as a city in 1875, election John Mclean as its first mayor.
Bismarck was named county seat of the newly organized Burleigh County in 1873 and capital of Dakota Territory in 1883, replacing the former capital, Yankton. Upon entering statehood in 1889, Bismarck assumed the role as capital of North Dakota.
The territorial prison and Dakota Territory’s first hospital were established in Bismarck in 1885.
A major fire destroyed most of the city in August 1898, helping to push the city from its frontier roots and into a modern city. Ever since, the city has rapidly expanded. [read more]
Education
Bismarck High School
Bismarck’s education has been recognized as one of the best in the country, with some of the highest graduation rates and a leader in standardized testing results. Several Bismarck schools have been recognized as “Blue Ribbon” award recipients, the highest national honor for public education.
Bismarck Public Schools is the largest school district in the state, operating a total of 21 schools, with a student population of over 10,000. There are also many highly distinguished private school options within the city.
Bismarck is home to a public community college, two private 4-year colleges, and several trade schools.
Healthcare
Bismarck boasts the largest medical facilities between Minneapolis and Seattle, with no other city than Rochester having more hospital beds per capita. Two major medical centers, each with Level II Trauma designations, are located in Bismarck.
Shopping
Gateway Fashion Mall
Bismarck-Mandan is the largest retail hub of central and western North Dakota, second in the state only to Fargo-Moorehead. Bismarck is home to nearly every national chain, in addition to many successful locally owned stores.
Three major shopping centers serve Bismarck: Kirkwood Mall, Gateway Mall, and Pinehurst Square. The Downtown Business District also continues to thrive, long beyond the last national retailers departed.
Restaurants
East 40 Chophouse & Tavern
There are no shortages of restaurants in the Bismarck area, with more opening every year. From national chains, to long-time locally owned restaurants, everyone will find exactly what they’re looking for when dining out in Bismarck-Mandan.
Some of the most well known local restaurants include Big Boy, Scotty’s Drive-in, The Woodhouse, Peacock Alley, A&B Pizza, and The Walrus.
Weather
Child stands atop snow drift in April 1997.
North Dakota is well known for its frigid and snowy winters. However, with only a few exceptions, North Dakota weather isn’t really all that bad. It is the northern plains, and the weather comes with it. Snowy and cold winters are indeed common, with occasional strong winter storms. The summer, however, often brings in hot weather, frequently topping 100 degrees.
Getting Around
As with most cities, the primary mode of transportation is the automobile. Most Bismarck streets form a standard block grid, with northbound and eastbound roads bisecting. Typically northbound roads are numbered “streets”, such as 9th Street, and eastbound roads are named “avenues”, such as Divide Avenue.
The Grant Marsh is one of 3 vehicular bridge to span the Missouri River.
Addresses are based off their location to Washington Street and Main Avenue. Addresses north of Main Avenue are labeled as “north” and vise-versa for addresses located south. Addresses east of Washington are labeled “east” and vise-versa. The address numbering system is also based on the building locations in reference to these two streets.
There are several one-way roads throughout Bismarck. 7th & 9th Streets are the most notable one-ways in the city, running between Boulevard Avenue to Bismarck Expressway. Several important structures are located along these two streets, including Kirkwood Mall and Bismarck High School. Broadway/Thayer Avenues and 4th/5th streets also operate as one-ways for two blocks in downtown Bismarck.
The newly expanded Bismarck Airport is the largest airport terminal for western North Dakota. Northwest Airlines is the largest provider, however United, Delta, and Allegiant Airlines also serve Bismarck.
Established in 2004, Capital Area Transit (CAT) serves as the public bussing system, and Bis-Man Transit provides door-to-door transportation to senior citizens and the disabled.
Passenger train service, the commodity that helped established Bismarck, was discontinued in the late 1970s.
Employment
The Bismarck-Mandan area has a wide-range of opportunities for employment, with several major corporations having operations within the area. As a government and healthcare center, most of the job opportunities lie within those industries. With two major energy companies headquartered in Bismarck, energy-related jobs are also in high demand.
Bismarck’s 5th largest employer, Bobcat Manufacturing, shuttered its Bismarck plant in December 2010, ending nearly 500 local jobs.
Living
Bismarck is one of the best cities to live in, featured nationally as one of the best places to raise a family and one of the safest communities to live. There are many residential options, from affordable to high-end luxury, apartments to mobile homes to houses.
Things To See & Do
Camp Hancock Historic Site
The Bismarck-Mandan region has many fun things to see and do, from a variety of fields. The city is abundantly full of parks and close to several rivers and lakes, including the Missouri River and the nation’s 3rd largest man-made lake, Lake Sakakawea.
Given the area’s long, rich history, there are numerous historic sites and museums to venture through, including the Fort Abraham Lincoln site – former home to General George Armstrong Custer.
Prairie Knights Casino is located less than an hour south of Mandan, and 4 Bears Casino not much further away near New Town.
