The North Dakota plains are loaded with hundreds of years of history. From the times of Lewis and Clark’s expeditions to way, way before that, there are special sites all over the state that preserve these historic spots. One, in particular, is little known but deserves a spotlight for having one of the most unique and fascinating ruins you’ll have ever seen. Take a look for yourself:

Head out to Stanton, North Dakota to discover fascinating ruins left hundreds of years ago at the Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site.
Knife River Indian Villages NHS/Facebook
This historic site is home to unique ruins of what was once a huge and thriving village. Today, the remains of that village can be seen by the unusual circular depressions on the ground that are clustered in a few different sites.
Knife River Indian Villages NHS/Facebook
These sites sit on the edge of the Knife River and include the Hidatsa Village, Awatixa Xi'e Village, and Awatixa Village (shown below).
Knife River Indian Villages NHS/Facebook

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The circular depressions in the ground that can be viewed today were once all earth lodges. The Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site has recreations of these lodges you can explore and enter yourself to see what life was like back then.
Xerxes2004/Wikimedia
These villages were established over 500 years ago and were important trade hubs for many Native American tribes including the Hidatsa, Mandan, Arikara, and later Sioux, Cheyenne, Crowe, and more. It was even in these villages that Sakakawea lived and met with Lewis and Clark.
Knife River Indian Villages NHS/Facebook
Today, you can visit the historic site, take trails out to the village ruins, and learn about this influential and important history of the North Dakota plains. There is no other place you can visit quite like it and it is truly one in a million!
Knife River Indian Villages NHS/Facebook

Click here for more information about the Knife River Indian Villages Historic Site, its visiting hours, and events.

There are only artistic depictions showing what these villages looked like when they thrived centuries ago, but thanks to the advent of the camera we can take a glimpse back into some more recent history. Check out some of North Dakota’s history in photographs here.

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564 County Rd 37, Stanton, ND 58571, USA