Fort Buford, a United States military post named in honor of General John Buford of Gettysburg fame, was established on this location in the fall of 1866. Two trading posts had preceded it on this site: Fort William, erected in 1833, and Fort Mortimer, built in 1843. Because of its strategic importance at the focal point of westbound steamboat traffic, Fort Buford played an important part in opening the frontier for permanent settlement. Famous Indian prisoners held at the fort included Chief Joseph, Crow King, Rain-in-the-Face, Gall, and Sitting Bull. Sitting Bull, with about 200 stragglers, the last of the hostile Sioux, surrendered here in 1881. In 1895 the fort was dismantled, and the garrison was transferred to Fort Assiniboine, Montana. The original adobe buildings that provided quarters for 300 men were later replaced by about 100 frame buildings, though most of the buildings were sold and removed when the fort was dismantled. A stone powder magazine, the headquarters building, and the old military cemetery are preserved on their original sites.