Zach's First Visit: Ft Seward Historic Site

Out and About Jamestown, ND in a Wheelchair
The Adventures of Zach at Ft. Seward Historic Site

The first thing you see when you approach the Ft. Seward historical sight in Jamestown, North Dakota, USA is the huge (30' x 60') American flag waving in the breeze. Its location at the top of the hill on the west side of town and its size make it visible for miles. It makes a great first impression. 

Zach, Susan, and I pulled the van into the gravel parking lot and used the hoist to lower Zach and his wheelchair to the ground. It was a hot summer day and it seemed like a good idea to head directly to the Interpretive Center to get oriented and to check out their air conditioning. With a little extra effort we got Zach's chair over the raised threshold and into the Center. We were warmly greeted as we were the first patrons of the day and this was 2:45 in the afternoon. 

The Center is small but very adequate and features a scale model of the 1870's fort when it was the law and order for the area. The model really helps you appreciate the appearance of the fort, a foothold of civilized America in the middle of the wilderness. Display cases hold artifacts which had been found on-site during digs, fascinating pieces of history which had been lost or discarded by those living in and working around the Fort. 

The Fort was built primarily to protect the railroad workers from the Native Americans who accurately saw the railroad as a threat to their future. The fort was named after secretary of State William H. Seward. The interpreter told us that the railroad workers often stayed in tents set up around the fort when working in the area.

After checking out the Interpretive Center, we went outside and walked south on a new wooden walkway to where the big flag was flying and where a veteran's memorial had recently been constructed. There were a few picnic areas along the way but wheelchair access to them is not currently available as the wooden path has raised edges 4" high with no "off-ramps."

The memorial is very well done with listings of North Dakota veterans killed in action, prisoners of war, and congressional medal of honor recipients. There is also a brick walkway where ND veterans can have their names added for $25. The location of the memorial at the 1870's fort location provides a unique perspective on this area's contributions to our country's use of, and need for, the military in the last 125 years.

Wheelchair accessibility comments:

• The parking lot is gravel but well-maintained. There are no handicapped parking areas but none were needed the day we visited.

• The visitor center is worth checking out even with the bump in the entrance threshold.

• There were wheelchair accessible public restrooms that looked like they could accommodate standard wheelchairs.

• The walkway to the memorial is wonderful except for the "no off-ramps" feature discussed above.

• Overall, a nice addition to wheelchair-friendly venus in Jamestown, ND.

Text by John Andrus

Photos by Zach