Washburn, North Dakota

Washburn, North Dakota
2007 Tractor Trek traveling down Main Ave. in Washburn
Motto(s): 
"The Grandest Little City on the Missouri-Washburn, North Dakota"
Coordinates: 47°17′31″N 101°01′40″W / 47.29194°N 101.02778°W / 47.29194; -101.02778
CountryUnited States
StateNorth Dakota
CountyMcLean
Founded1882
Government
  Commission PresidentLarry Thomas
Area
  Total
1.79 sq mi (4.63 km2)
  Land1.69 sq mi (4.36 km2)
  Water0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2)
Elevation
1,831 ft (558 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total
1,300
  Estimate 
(2022)
1,289
  Density771.51/sq mi (297.96/km2)
Time zoneUTC-6 (Central (CST))
  Summer (DST)UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
58577
Area code701
FIPS code38-83700
GNIS feature ID1036316
HighwaysUS 83, US 83 Bus., ND 200 Alt.
Websitewashburnnd.com

Washburn is a city in southern McLean County, North Dakota, United States. Located along the upper Missouri River, it is the county seat of McLean County. The population was 1,300 at the 2020 census.

Washburn was founded in 1882 near the former site of Fort Mandan, winter quarters of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804–1805, near a Mandan village. The town was designated as the county seat in 1883. The city's name honors General Cadwallader C. Washburn.

Washburn is home to the North Dakota Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, which focuses on the Expedition's winter near the Mandan village. It houses a full-scale replica of Fort Mandan, which workers of the expedition built as their base, and one of the expedition's canoes.