The Lewis & Clark Expedition reached this site on November 20, 1804, and built an enclosed compound for their winter headquarters, naming it for the Mandan Indians, whose villages were nearby. The exact location is subject to debate. Early county maps place the "probable site" in SW 1/4 Sec. 14-144-82, Washburn Twp., just west of present-day Washburn, although later research puts the probable location about ten miles upriver, almost opposite Stanton. The fort was abandoned April 7, 1805 when the expedition resumed their journey. A site was donated to the State Historical Society in 1926 in NW 1/4 Sec. 16-144-82, Two miles west of Washburn, and a replica was built in 1969-1972, with the site dedicated as a State Park on July 23, 1972.

This Missouri River townsite was founded in 1882 and named for Cadwallader Colden Washburn (1818-1882), a Civil War General, Congressman and Governor of WI. He was also the brother of William D. Washburn, who several years later would be active in various pursuits in this area, including the founding of Wilton. The post office was established September 4, 1882 with George G. Rhude pm. who had operated the old Turtle Valley post office just SE of Turtle Valley post office just SE of Washburn. "King" John Satterlund (1851-1930) was among the city's pioneer leaders. Washburn was designated McLean County seat when the county organized in 1883, and it incorporated as a city in 1902, the year the Soo Line RR arrived. A long-awaited highway bridge over the Missouri River opened in 1971. The Zip Code is 58577, and the recent boom in the energy industry swelled the 1980 population to 1,766, more than double the 1970 count. Admiral Homer N. Wallin, born in 1893, and artist Gary P. Miller, born in 1935, are natives of Washburn.

Baptist  Cemetery  Section 14

Zion Lutheran Cemetery  Section 14

Riverview Cemetery   182 Section 24

Churches

Historical, Genealogical and Ethnic Events

Photographs

Personal and Community Stories about this Area