We have now returned to where we began our trail of discovery. As you leave Fort  Abercrombie, please look to the northwest along the tree lined river bank and notice the sign indicating the tunnel.  The tunnel is actual a shallow ditch which provided access from the fort to the Red River of the North.  This ditch was important to the fort because it allowed them to have access to the water, which they used for drinking and doing their laundry. 

Fort Abercrombie was abandoned on October 23, 1878.  By this time it was considered as no longer necessary because the dangers of Indian hostilities in the area had ended.  It was no longer needed to guard the fur-trade ox-cart trails, wagon trains, stagecoach, and steamboat traffic on the Red River transportation routes. Because the railroads had already pushed themselves further west, Fort Abercrombie's usefulness as a supply base for wagon trains headed west to the Montana gold fields, military freight, and pioneer settlers had also been significantly reduced. 

The army therefore in accordance with its general policy transferred all serviceable equipment to other military posts; boxed and sent all records pertaining to Fort Abercrombie to the Department of Dakota Headquarters at Fort Snelling; and sold at public auction Fort Abercrombie's buildings and unserviceable property.  That is, property not worth the transportation, including wood, coal, grain, hay, and subsistence stores.

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Copyright 2005

 James V. Acker, Pres.

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