Four Bears Bridge Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 471
Abstract
Photographs taken at the opening of the Four Bears Bridge in June 1934.
Dates
- June 15, 1934
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection remain with copyright holders.
History
The Four Bears Bridge, built to span the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Indian reservation, was opened on June 15th of 1934. This was the second bridge in the entire state of North Dakota to span the Missouri, making it an important center of trade and travel. This bridge lasted until the flooding caused by the Garrison Dam project which displaced the tribes residing in the Fort Berthold reservation. After this, and the concurrent creation of the reservoir, Lake Sakakawea, the bridges location was moved closer to New Town, North Dakota, with the project finishing in 1955. As this bridge’s lifetime approached its end, a new Four Bears Bridge was constructed, finishing in April 2003. The bridge’s name, Four Bears, is the name used by two legendary chiefs of the Hidatsa and Mandan tribes, with decoration drawing inspiration from native culture ornamenting the newly constructed 2003 bridge, in their honor.
Extent
6 Photographic Prints
Language of Materials
English
Provenance
Donor unknown.
Scope and Content
The collection is composed of 6 images of the commemoration of the Four Bears Bridge in New Town, North Dakota, on 6/15/1934. They show the members of the Hidatsa, Mandan, and, Arikara, who are leading the commemoration and commit the ribbon cutting ritual. There are some pictures of the large crowds attending the event, as well as two portraying children in traditional native dress. All photographs were taken by Leo D. Harris.
Property rights
The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding aid to the Four Bears Bridge Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu