Historic Hometown

As we focus on celebrating our area's Scheels Hidden Hometown Heroes of history we wanted to take a quick look back at Bismarck’s unique history. Many people are somewhat aware of how Bismarck got started and how it got named, but after interviewing so many of our history heroes, one of their biggest wishes for the community is for people to get involved, and know just a few more facts about the place they call home. Whether our heroes were born and raised in Bismarck or moved here later in life, they have all found a significant amount of history in our area. From Native American history to the history of the Annunciation Monastery, our 15 heroes have all shared so much with us.

Bismarck was founded in 1872 exactly 150 years ago, which is why this whole theme for Bismarck Magazine exists this issue. We wanted to take part in the celebrations that start taking place in

May and will continue all summer long through the Downtowners' Street Fair in September. Bismarck as a city stems from all things railroad. It was originally named Edwinton in honor of Edwin L. Johnson, who was a proponent of a transcontinental railway. In 1873 the city was renamed in honor of the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck in the hope of attracting German investment in the railway.

Long before the railroad, the Lewis and Clark expedition passed through the area in 1804 to 1805. In 1872 (also celebrating 150 years) Camp Greeley, which later became Camp Hancock (hero Johnathan Campbell's favorite Bismarck history spot, read more about this on page 40) a military post, was established there to protect crews working on the Northern Pacific Railroad. That year the railway arrived and contributed greatly to the community’s

World-class health care STARTS AT HOME.

We are dedicated to becoming the most advanced, most connected, most accessible and widest-reaching health care system in the country. Improving quality of life through better health. Providing quality care close to home. Wherever home may be. Not just for the future of our health, but for the health of our future.