Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site
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Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site Archeological District
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Reconstructed Hidatsa Indian Earthlodge
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| Location | Stanton, North Dakota |
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| Coordinates | 47°21′15″N 101°23′09″W / 47.35417°N 101.38583°WCoordinates: 47°21′15″N 101°23′09″W / 47.35417°N 101.38583°W |
| Area | 1,758 acres (7.11 km²) |
| Visitation | 31,079 (2005) |
| Website | Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site |
| NRHP Reference # | 74002220 |
| Significant dates | |
| Added to NRHP | October 26, 1974 |
| Designated NHS | October 26, 1974 |
The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site, which was established in 1974, preserves the historic and archaeological remnants of the Northern Plains Indians. This area was a major trading and agricultural area. There were three villages that occupied the Knife area. In general, these three villages are known as the Hidatsa villages. Broken down, the individual villages are Awatixa Xi’e (lower Hidatsa village), Awatixa and Big Hidatsa village. Awatixa Xi’e is believed to be the oldest village of the three. The Big Hidatsa village was established around 1600.
The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site is located in central North Dakota, where the Knife River joins the Missouri River. The village is located ½ mile north of Stanton, North Dakota, 1 hour north west of Bismarck, ND, and 1 ½ hours south west of Minot, ND. The Knife River is a tributary to the Missouri River. Scenic sights such as broad plains, river bluffs and river bottom forests can all be seen along the two rivers. The national park borders both sides of the Knife River, which creates a forested peninsula along the length of the river.
The Missouri River is also known as the “Big Muddy” due to its high sedimentation loads. The Missouri River drains approximately one-sixth of the United States and its basin encompasses 529,350 square miles (1,371,000 km2). During the pre-development period, the Missouri River represented one of North America’s most diverse ecosystems.
At the Knife River Indian Villages National Historical Site, there are the visible remains of earth-lodge dwellings, cache pits and travois trails. The remains of the earth-lodge dwellings can be seen as large circular depressions in the ground. These dwellings were as large as 40 feet (12 m) in diameter. Many were once large enough to house up to 20 families, a few horses, and dogs. The dwellings were constructed at ground level. As the dwellings were abandoned the walls and roof collapsed and created the visible outer circular rim.
Sakakawea (Sacagawea) lived among one of the villages of the Knife River. The presence of Sakakawea and her son on the expedition was extremely crucial to the safety of Lewis and Clark and their party. Other tribes encountered during the expedition did not feel threatened by the party. This is due to the fact that war parties did not allow women and children to accompany them.
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