This collection of mailable, vintage-photograph postcards features
iconic moments from the history of Fort Abraham Lincoln. Established in
November 1872, the fort was part of a larger complex of military forts
throughout the United States. Named in memory of President Lincoln, the
fort protected railroad workers as they continued westward construction
of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Famous figures associated with the
fort include George Custer; his Arikara scout Bloody Knife; and
individuals from the Oceti Sakowin, what in the 19th century was called
the Great Sioux Nation, including Rain-in-the-Face, Long Soldier, and
Thunder Hawk. In the late 1870s, the fort also served as a place for Nez
Perce POWs. In 1891, the fort was decommissioned. The nonprofit Fort
Abraham Lincoln Foundation spearheaded reconstruction in the 1980s.
Several earth lodges from On-A-Slant were also built, and world-class
interpretive programming was developed.