One Day West from Bowman

Your Guide to North Dakota’s Best Kept Secrets

Van Horn’s Western & Antique Auto Museum, Mystic Theater, Fort Dilts, Pioneer Trails Regional Museum

Get fuel for your adventure and start your morning off right with a delicious home-cooked breakfast from Rhame Cafe in Rhame, ND. End your day with another great meal and local shops in Bowman, North Dakota.

Stop 1: Van Horn’s Western & Antique Auto Museum

Browse antique vehicles, Buddy L toys, and so much more

The VanHorn’s Western and Antique Auto Museum in Marmarth, North Dakota showcases roughly 50 refurbished antique vehicles, a miniature car collection, and a vast collection of license plates, the oldest of which dates back to 1916, and more! It also showcases arrowheads, baseball cards, and Buddy L toys and dolls.

Tours by appointment only

Hwy 12 West, Marmarth, ND
Phone: 701-279-5904

Stop 2: Mystic Theatre

Visit the oldest movie theatre in North Dakota

The Mystic Theatre in Marmarth, ND is said to be the oldest movie theatre in North Dakota. Built in 1914 by professional baseball player Guy Johnson it was specifically designed for showing “motion pictures”. It opened on April 22, 1914 and was packed. The theatre contains 187 seats and nightly shows were ten to fifteen cents. The theatre was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1977. If you’re looking to see a unique piece of history, this is a stop you wont want to miss.

Call ahead to schedule your visit
Phone: 701-279-6996

Stop 3: Fort Dilts State Historic Site

Explore the history of this 1864 battle site besieged by Sioux Indians including Sitting Bull

On this site in 1864, a wagon train party under the command of Capt. James L. Fisk was besieged by Sioux Indians including Sitting Bull. The emigrants of the embattled wagon train circled their wagons and waited for rescue by the cavalry. At the site you will find an interpretive plaque, many of the features are still visible, including the sod wall, wagon ruts, graves, and an uncompleted well. Archaeological excavations confirm the site is essentially undisturbed. Learn more about the fate of the wagon train through the interpretive display at the Pioneer Trails Regional Museum.

Printable Directions

Stop 4: Pioneer Trails Regional Museum

Experience an interactive display on Fort Dilts State Historic Site

Pioneer Trails Regional Museum is a family-friendly museum that brings history to life and a must see part of your visit to Bowman County. The museum is a regional research and repository for history from within 100 miles of Bowman, ND. Learn about the local area through story telling brought to life in educational exhibits. Send the kids through the museum with an interactive scavenger hunt to engage them while they are learning. If an even more hands-on approach is your idea of fun, sign up for a Dig-for-a-Day Tour to collect fossils and explore the local geology. After time in the field, you will return to the preparation lab to learn more about what happens after fossils are found. In the middle of dinosaur country, this well curated museum will not disappoint. Open year round.