Haunts of the Southwest: Custer House, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, Mandan

Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press By Kelly Harju October 26, 2026 at 7:48 PM Listen Comments Share Share this article News Reporting News Reporting Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Trust Project What is this? MANDAN, N.D. — More than 150 years after Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and his wife, Elizabeth "Libbie" Custer, made their home at Fort Abraham Lincoln, stories of ghostly apparitions and unexplained occurrences continue to surround the historic military post. Among the most enduring legends is that of a mysterious woman dressed in black, reportedly seen looking through an upstairs window of the Custer House. ADVERTISEMENT Today, the reconstructed residence is part of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan, where its history and folklore have helped inspire Haunted Fort, an annual Halloween attraction now in its 24th year. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press In the fourth installment of The Dickinson Press' five-part Halloween series, "Haunts of the Southwest," we explore the history, reported hauntings and Halloween traditions surrounding the Custer House. A home steeped in history The original Custer House was built in 1873, when Custer and his wife moved to Fort Abraham Lincoln during his assignment with the 7th Cavalry. The fort served as an important military post during westward expansion, with cavalry and infantry stationed near the Missouri River. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press According to Lori L. Orser's book "Spooky Creepy North Dakota," the original residence was destroyed by fire during the winter of 1874 and subsequently rebuilt. The structure visitors see today is a reconstruction completed during the late 1980s and early 1990s, using historical plans and photographs to recreate the appearance of the second house. ADVERTISEMENT Period furnishings and historical artifacts help illustrate the Custers' daily lives. Some items, including personal belongings and photographs, were donated by Libbie's descendants. The reconstructed home stands near its original location within Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, which also features reconstructed military buildings and earth lodges representing the Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Mandan village of On-A-Slant. The historic site preserves the area's military and Indigenous history, offering visitors an opportunity to learn about the people and communities connected to the Missouri River region. The woman in black One of the most tragic chapters in the Custer family's history unfolded June 25, 1876, when Custer and five companies of the 7th Cavalry were killed during the Battle of the Little Bighorn in present-day Montana. According to Orser, Libbie and other officers' wives reportedly experienced an overwhelming sense of sorrow on the day of the battle, before learning what had happened. ADVERTISEMENT "The day that word was brought, the wives were again all at the Custer home, so they all heard together," Orser wrote. The news devastated the families of the soldiers who had departed the fort weeks earlier. Libbie never remarried and spent much of her remaining life preserving her husband's legacy. Over time, stories emerged suggesting that her spirit, or those of other officers' wives, continued to linger around the former residence. Matt Schanandore, executive director of the Mandan Progress Organization, said the most recognizable legend involves sightings of a woman dressed in black. "Some paranormal stories of the house talk about this woman in black," Schanandore said. He said visitors and others have described seeing a figure in an upstairs window, even when the building was reportedly locked. "In fact, going back even to when that particular house was being reconstructed in 1989, the construction workers would talk about seeing a ghostly figure on the upper level, walking around, hearing things moving between areas," he said. ADVERTISEMENT Schanandore added that reports have included unexplained footsteps in the barracks and sounds resembling horses in the stables. Although these accounts remain unverified, they have become part of the folklore surrounding the historic military post. Organizers have incorporated the woman-in-black legend into Haunted Fort, placing an illuminated figure in an upstairs window to recreate the reported sighting. Haunted Fort returns for its 24th year What began as a Halloween attraction more than two decades ago has grown into one of the area's seasonal traditions, drawing approximately 8,000 to 9,000 visitors throughout October. Now in its 24th year, Haunted Fort combines the historic setting of Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park with elaborate sets, costumed actors and themed walkthrough experiences. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press This year's event features four attractions, each offering a different style of horror. ADVERTISEMENT The Custer House incorporates Krampus, a horned figure from Alpine folklore traditionally associated with punishing misbehaving children during the Christmas season. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press The theme combines holiday folklore with the eerie atmosphere of the reconstructed military residence. Other attractions include "Carnievil Nightmares," a sinister circus filled with frightening clowns and sideshow characters, and "Jack Attack," a pumpkin-themed horror experience. The newest addition, "Dr. Slaughter's Gulch," features a fog-filled swamp, an Old West town and a cabin designed to immerse visitors in a terrifying frontier setting. Eric Wesolick, event and marketing manager for the Mandan Progress Organization, said the attractions are designed to offer different experiences while maintaining a consistent Halloween atmosphere. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Each walkthrough generally takes 30 to 40 minutes, with staggered entry used to manage crowds. The clown-themed attraction remains a frequent favorite among visitors seeking intense scares. ADVERTISEMENT “The one that always gets people is the clown house. It’s the longest of all the houses,” Wesolick said. Read more local news and sports Port: Anti-data center activism fell flat with North Dakota voters 3d ago Haunts of the Southwest: Rough Riders Hotel, Medora Oct 31 Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library wins 2026 Architectural Design of the Year Oct 29 Behind the scares Bringing Haunted Fort to life requires a team of performers, volunteers and organizers. According to organizers, more than 40 volunteers and approximately 35 actors help operate the event, with some participants returning for more than a decade. Kelly Harju / The Dickinson Press Among them is Arnetta, a scare actor who has participated for eight years, including the period when the attraction was closed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. For her, the excitement comes from surprising visitors and creating memorable reactions. "There's nothing quite like making a grown man scream and crying," she said. Joe, a local firefighter, has been involved with Haunted Fort as a scare actor for nearly a decade, participating alongside his family. “This is my third year as a full-time employee, but my family has volunteered probably since 2017,” he said. The attraction is generally recommended for ages 13 and older, with parents encouraged to use discretion when bringing younger children. The final weekend, Oct. 30-31, features "Darkness Unleashed," an experience in which the buildings' lights are turned off and guests navigate using glow sticks. Scare actors, music and other effects remain part of the experience, adding another level of suspense. For tickets, schedules and additional information, visit hauntedfort.com. View the gallery below for more photos. 1 / 5: Elaborate sets and costumes, eerie decorations and frightening displays bring Haunted Fort to life at Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park in Mandan. Kelly Ha