The passenger ship RMS Titanic struck an iceberg during its first voyage across the Atlantic Ocean and sank on April 15, 1912. Mistakes were made. Not enough life boats on board. Over 65% of the passengers and crew died.
Elfrida Trinkler (whose first name is sometimes recorded as Fredericka or Elfricka) showed up in Mandan in February 1914. According to statewide newspaper reports, she claimed she was a Titanic disaster survivor. But she is not listed on the ship's passenger manifest. Nor does her name appear on any list of survivors. In an age without the internet, was this just a successful effort to endear herself to the community to help find work?
She joined the housekeeping staff in a local hotel, but within a few short week(s) she upgraded as a housemaid in the home of a prominent Morton County official. The following year she is listed as a clerk for a local business.
Is there a connection to Mandan? Maybe. Maybe not. It depends on your perspective.
She married Henry A Kuhn, moved to Minnesota and raised a family. Click the [Biographies S-Z] --> [Elfriede Kuhn] on the top ribbon tabs to learn her life's (or death's) final twist.
PROGRAM NOTE
In support of June being National History Month, "Mandan Murder Most Foul: An Old-Time True Crime" will be presented on Thursday June 26, 2025 in the Morton-Mandan Public Library's community room from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. Join us.
Hunting for... Mandan High School Yearbooks !
Mandiana Joan
Can you help Mandiana Joan and Joe and the rest of the historical society membership in obtaining copies of the following issues of the Mandan High School Yearbooks?
If so, contact us via email at info@mandanhistory.org.
Mandiana Joe
2024 2019 2008 1996 1989 1979 1965 1943 1939
2023 2014 2007 1994 1988 1977 1941 1938
2022 2013 2006 1992 1987 1976 1940
2021 2012 2005 1990 1985 1975
2020 2002 1984 1972
2001 1983
1982
1980
Museum Closed for the Season
The Mandan Historical Society completed 5th season of operation of our local history museum on weekends from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on August 31, 2024. It is located on the grounds of the ND State Railroad Museum in northwest Mandan.
"On-demand" tours for specific groups can also be accommodated with prior arrangements. Contact the office in advance via email and confirm appointment.
Your friends and neighbors at the historical society welcome new individuals to become involved. Membership privileges include access to the society's records.
Individual volunteers are also needed to staff the museum one to more days each weekend during the summer months. Training will be provided.
Please contact the office by telephone or email. All are welcome.
Additional information on our local museum in Mandan can be found on its webpage at www.mandanhistory.org/museumoffice.html or by clicking on the corresponding tab on the menu bar above.
Operation of our website and online record database, and preservation of relevant artifacts needs more than the time and effort our volunteers provide. Please consider a monetary contribution to the Mandan Historical Society. Donations to our IRS part 501(c) organization may be tax-deductable.
While the city of Mandan is defined by its legal boundaries, the community and historical impact of Mandan knows no limits. Please feel free to express your comments and offer suggestions to our programs, activities and content of our website.
"Those who are alive receive a mandate from those who are silent forever. They can fulfill their duties only by trying to reconstruct precisely things as they were and by wresting the past from fictions & legends." -Czeslaw Milosz
Mandan, a railroad town from the start, our hometown adds to its legacy with more commercial and industrial diversity. You are welcome to explore our website and share in our history.
The MHSoc's museum and office is located at 3827 30th Avenue NW; Mandan, ND 58554 Contact us at info@mandanhistory.org
