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- Bismarck is the capitol of the State of North Dakota. The Missouri River is the natural dividing line between the sister cities of Bismarck and Mandan. Both cities lie in the Central Time Zone, observing daylight savings time. They have a combined population of 72,250. Bismarck-Mandan is a part of the Plains Midwest region of the United States. Latitude: 46 degrees, 46 minutes north. Longitude: 100 degrees, 45 minutes west. Elevation 1700 feet. Area - Bismarck 25.5 sq. miles, Mandan 10 square miles.
- The cities of Bismarck and Mandan both utilize a city commission structure. Both cities have adopted Home Rule Charters and are official Home Rule Cities under the North Dakota Constitution and North Dakota State Law.
- Bismarck was originally named Edwinton after Edwin Stanton, Chief engineer of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The name was changed to Bismarck not more than a year later after Germany's "Iron Chancellor", Otto Von Bismarck, the new community hoped to attract German investments to spur railroad construction.
- The legal drinking age is 21. Alcoholic beverages can be sold between 8:00 and 1:00 a.m.
- There are over 1,250 native species of flowers, plants, grasses and sages in North Dakota. The earliest blooming plant is the crocus.
- Per capita, North Dakota leads the nation in the number of golf courses. Bismarck-Mandan is home to five 18 hole courses and two 9 hole courses.
- North Dakota as a whole receives more hours of sunshine annually than any other state along the Canadian Border with 58-62% days of possible sunshine.
- In Bismarck the average cost of a house is $155,955 and in Mandan the average cost is $125,966.
- The Northern Pacific Railroad arrived in Bismarck in 1873 where it ended for 10 years because of money problems with NP, this wasn’t entirely bad because it spurred the steamboat business and transshipment between rail and river. In 1881 Mandan, which was named for the Mandan Indians, or "people of the bank", was founded as the center of western expansion of the iron rail. In 1883, a railroad bridge was built, linking the towns and joining the east with west. Both cities prospered because of the railroad industry.
- During the oil boom of the 1950s the famous drink "Smith and Curran," a cocktail of creme de cocoa, dairy cream and club soda, was invented at the Blue Blazer Lounge in the Prince Hotel. The drink was created by geologist, Wendell Smith, and landman, Jim Curran.
- Prior to being elected president, Theodore Roosevelt was treated for pneumonia at St. Alexius Medical Center.
- Era Bell Thompson, an international editor of Ebony Magazine, graduated from Bismarck High School in 1924.
- Camp Hancock Museum on West Main Avenue has the cannon that was shot off at special events in Bismarck, including the completion of the railroad and the laying of the cornerstone at the territorial capitol.
- The Bismarck-Mandan area can expect as many as 32 days with temperatures at or above the 90° mark.
- The Belle Mehus Auditorium and World War Memorial Building, on the corner of 5th and Broadway, housed the State House and Senate after the State Capitol burned in 1931.
- Ed Patterson, owner of the Patterson Hotel , now Peacock Alley Bar and Grill, was also a professional boxer.
- According to historians, Mandan once was known as the village of "The Crying Hill" and "Two Faced Stone".
- The largest sign in North Dakota is on the east side of Crying Hill and spells out Mandan. The capital letters are 50 feet long and 40 feet wide and the lower case letters are 30 by 26 feet.
- Mandan housed the world’s largest railroad roundhouse in 1892. It accommodated the "5000" steam engine.
- There was once a race track at what is now 3rd Avenue Northwest and 1st Street in Mandan. Thoroughbreds were raised for racing and riding, and draft horses were raised for work on large ranches.
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