Why was Bismarck chosen for the capital of North Dakota?

Answer 1

Bismarck became the capital of the Dakota Territory in 1883, mostly due to its central location in the territory, the location of the railroad, and the population increase in that area.

When North Dakota became a state, Jamestown had been proposed as the state capital, but Bismarck also wanted to remain the capital. Some citizens of Bismarck raided Jamestown for the public records and, once the state capitol was completed in 1884, Bismarck remained the capital of North Dakota.

Answer 2

The capital of the Dakota Territory was Yankton (South Dakota) from 1861 until 1883 when it was moved to Bismarck (North Dakota).

In 1862 the Northern Pacific Railroad reached the Missouri River and established a terminus called Missouri Crossing. Missouri Crossing eventually became the city known as Bismarck. Because of the arrival of the railroad, the Battle of the Little Big Horn in Montana, and the Gold Rush in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Bismarck became a center of transportation and business. Thus the capital of the Dakota Territory was moved to Bismarck.

However, when the Dakota Territory was going to be split into two states, Jamestown was chosen as the new capital for the new state of North Dakota. After Jamestown was raided by some Bismarck citizens for the state records and construction of the capitol building in Bismarck was completed in 1884, talk of moving the capital city to Jamestown stopped.

Answer 3

It was named the State Capital and the Missouri River provided it with a commerce route.

Answer 4

Because it had a central location.

Answer 5

Because of the central location.