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Crams Map Of North Dakota, 1909
I = Incorporated CDP = Census-designated Place UC = Unincorporated Community
Population (2010 Census): 67
Peak Population: 400 in 1881
Total Area: 0.3 square miles
Founded: 1871
Location: NW1/4 Sec. 25-157-51
Township: Acton
Other Names: Kelly’s Point, Kelley’s Point is an erroneous spelling.
“Jacob Reinhart and Antoine Gerrard first explored what has since become Walsh County, in the year 1866. They returned to McCauleyville, Minnesota, and when Carpenter & Blaikie commenced running their stage, Mr Reinhart drove one of them. In 1877, he and Mr Gerrard settled down on land near Acton, which was then called Kelly’s Point, and was in Grand Forks County. Mr Gerrard was appointed Postmaster, and Mr Reinhart was his deputy. Mr Reinhart opened a store in 1877, and Mr Gerrard kept a tavern.” 1
“Postmaster Antoine Girard changed the name to Acton on May 27, 1879, commemorating his home town of Acton, Ontario, Canada, which was named for Acton, Middlesex, England, a suburb of London, that had its greatest fame during the Oliver Cromwell regime in the 1600’s.” 2
“The Settlement was augmented by the arrival of Mr B. S. Kelly and his family, from whom it took its original name. Three or four saloons were opened. In 1879 Mr Wm. Budge opened a store and for a time it bid fair to be quite a town, but in the year 1881, the railroad entered the county twelve miles distant, and business and people followed it. By 1884, the settlement consisted of the tavern of E. F. Schumann, the store of John Bouldic, and the post office, of which Antoine Gerrard, who was still postmaster. 2
The village of Acton published a weekly newspaper, “The Acton News,” edited by Frank M. Winship. It was chosen as the first official newspaper for Walsh County. Volume 1, no. 1, was printed on May 26, 1881. The last volume (Volume 1, no. 17) was printed on September 15, 1881, after which it was continued by the “Grafton News.” 1
“It is said that the town had a population of over 400 in 1881, but when it was bypassed by the railroad, it declined rapidly, with an 1890 population of just 25. In 1913 the post office moved across the section line to NE 1/4 Sec. 26-157-51, the home of the new postmaster, Emil Hoenke, but operated here only until September 30, 1913, when mail went to Fork, MN.” 2
“Walsh Heritage” Vol 1, pgs 30-31
As early as 1866, a Canadian from Montreal named Antoine Girard had explored along the Red River of the North. At a bend in the river where Acton is now located lived a Norwegian wood chopper named Larson, who supplied the ever-hungry steamboats on the Red with fuel. In June, 1871, Girard pitched his tent on the historical ground of Acton and called it “Rose Point.” In 1872 he was followed by Ed (Doc) Kelley, and in 1875 by Jacob Reinhardt, who later became Walsh County’s first sheriff. These were the first business men. Girard had a tavern, Kelley operated a stage station which he sold to Girard later, and Reinhart had a general store with a few goods to sell to Indians, half-breeds and an occasional white customer. The site was now known as “Kelley’s Point.”
By 1879 immigration into this area was increasing rapidly, and Girard, the owner of the town site, had Robert Lynn, the Pembina County Surveyor, plat out the original townsite and later a small addition. The town had 10-1/2 blocks, 190 lots, with First, Second, and Third streets running parallel to the bend in the river, and with six streets running east and west, some named after his children. They were Rose, Ama, Molly, Girard, Levee and Ellen. Technically, one may walk along these streets now, although most are farm fields, but they have never been legally vacated, which is also true of the lots. The town was now called “Acton,” named after Acton, Ontario, Canada.
Acton, as “Rose Point” in 1871, was granted a post office, but it was never brought into operation. A post office was established under the name of “Kelley’s Point” on August 23, 1878, with Antoine Girard as the first postmaster. By 1879, Acton, as it was then known, had weekly mail service from Grand Forks. Settlers from the north, south and west came here for their mail, some walking as far as 20 miles across the prairie. Postmasters were: Antoine Girard, E. Scott, Eliza Scott, and Emil Hoenke. The post office was closed September 30, 1913.
In the spring of 1879, Budge, Eshelman and Anderson opened a large store, and Acton began to grow. The stagecoach, but mostly the steamboats, brought hundreds of immigrants weekly, all heading westward to occupy the timber land along the Park and Forest rivers, and later the prairie land.
Acton, or Kelley’s Point as it was then known, was the midway station between Grand Forks and Pembina on a stage line that ran between Fort Abercrombie and Pembina. The line was originally established in 1871, and was owned by Blakely and Carpenter. With enough fresh horses and no unforeseen long stops, the trip could be made in one day. The stations were about 20 miles apart, a convenient distance for a change of horses, with meals for the passengers and, if needed, shelter for the night or in case of storms. Four horses were used, and the coaches were usually painted yellow and had canvas tops. They carried mail express and passengers. There was room for 10 passengers, and a few more in a pinch. Among the passengers riding the coaches were fur traders, homesteaders, teachers, adventurers, priests, ministers and businessmen. Riding was rough over the prairie trails. No paved four-lane highways existed then.
Acton, being the midway station, was reached by about noon and gave the passengers an opportunity to have a meal at one of the town’s hotels. The Acton House was owned by E.F. Schumann, and the Dakota House by John Scott. The Acton House had three stories, the third used as the laundry. Two of the maids at the Acton House were Bertha Wolfgram, later Mrs. Emil Hoenke, and Amelia Schrank, later Mrs. Nicholas Dipple. They would nearly freeze their fingers hanging sheets in the icy third floor laundry rooms in the winter time.
The Acton house gave parties when the steamboats came. Oyster stew parties were held for their guests on Wednesday nights in the winter. The stages for Grand Forks, Pembina and west started from this House. There was a good stable with plenty of hay. Wines, liquors and cigars were available in the Sample House connected with the hotel. Meals were 35 cents, room and board was $5 per week.
It was river navigation that built Acton. The Red River was the main traffic lane and the steamboats, Grandin, Selkirk and Pluck, brought immigrants lumber, provisions, farm machinery and everything needed for a new country. Farmers in the area came many miles to Acton to get the supplies they needed and brought their grain to be taken to market. There were two elevators, and from these grain was loaded into the steamboat barges. Some barges had a capacity of 5,000 bushels of wheat. The elevators were torn down when the steamboats stopped running after 1910.
There was a ferry on the river about a half mile south of Acton. The steamboat would blow its whistle at a distance before it came to the ferry so the ferry cable could be dropped to let the boat pass. The sound of this whistle brought many activities in the town. The hotel staff prepared meals, and dances and parties were held while the boat was in port. The children from the schoolhouse were dismissed and ran to the landing. The saloons became busy places.
The first steamboat, the Anson Northrup, sailed the Red River from Fort Abercrombie to For Garry in June of 1859. In the spring of 1871, Captain Alexander Griggs and James J. Hill built the steamboat Selkirk at a cost of $5,000. It was launched at Fort Abercrombie April 4, 1871, with Capt. Griggs in charge. There were two decks with cabins on the upper and the engine room and freight on the lower. The Selkirk towed three barges, one on each side and one ahead. (It was a stern-wheeler so could not tow one behind.) In October, 1877, the Selkirk transported a railroad locomotive on a barge from Fisher’s Landing to Winnipeg for the Canadian Pacific Railroad. This was the famed “Countess of Dufferin,” now on display in Winnipeg.
Between 1879 and 1881, Acton grew rapidly with a population of over 400 by the summer of 1881. The legislature of Dakota Territory had authorized Walsh County, commissioners had been selected, and Acton, the largest town in Walsh County at this time, was a candidate for the county seat.
On May 26, 1881, Frank M. Winship published the first edition of “The Acton News,” the first newspaper published in Walsh County. The issue sets forth the policies of the paper, a little history of Acton, some locals of the time and advertisements of the town’s business and professional men. Some of the items of local interest: business is booming, croquet is in order, at least 100 immigrants have come into town the past week, the steamers Grandin and Selkirk were by, and a new saloon was being erected by Dickson and McClintock.
The ads list the Acton House and the Dakota House as the two hotels in town. J. Boulduc and Bro. dispense wines, liquors and cigars of superior quality at Salon Francais. A grocery is operated by William Brunelle and a general merchandise store is operated by A&H Zuelsdorf who bought the stock and good will of Budge, Eshelman and Co. Stoves, tinware, hardware, and Singer Sewing Machines can be had at C. Hendricksen and Co. There were two farm machinery dealers, Strong, Thomson and Vaughn, and Johnson, Holmes and Co. Ed Boussey and the Olafson Brothers sold shoes and boots. Robert Lynn and Nathan Upham had Law, Loan and Land Offices. Alex Ross was the blacksmith, and Dr. N.H. Hamilton was the physician and surgeon and owner of the drug store. There seems to be no real record of the number of residences, but no doubt there were many.
The summer of 1881 was the peak of activity in Acton. But even then the fingers of fate were writing on the wall, as the railroad, steadily pushing northward, was being surveyed about seven miles to the west of Acton. On Sept. 14, 1881, the county commissioners selected Grafton as the county seat. On September 22, 1881, the “Acton News,” after publishing about four months in Acton, moved to publish its weekly paper from the county seat. On December 21, 1881, the first railroad train reached Grafton, and in a few months this frontier village became the third largest city in North Dakota. After the first snow many of the Acton businessmen moved their buildings into Grafton or Minto, drawn on heavy sleighs by oxen.
Acton was still an active village for 20 or more years. The steamboats and elevators operated until 1910 and the post office until 1913. F.T. Kieley became owner of most of the townsite. He operated a blacksmith shop and garage and owned a store. Mr. Kieley had two steam threshing outfits. There were 8 or 10 bundle teams, 2 water tank teams, a straw wagon team, and from 25 to 30 men with each machine. Mr. Kieley lived in Acton until 1923 when he moved to Grafton where he continued to operate a garage. In 1936 he was elected sheriff of Walsh County and was elected again in 1938.
Transportation was changed and Acton ceased to be a commercial center and began to fade into a mere historical fact. Now, almost a century since the first settlement, there is very little material evidence of the booming river town of 1881.
Indians were frequent visitors to Acton, possibly camping outside the city limits, as arrowheads have been found across Third Street, while empty gun shells have been found on the townsite. Most of Acton is still the original prairie. Here there is located an early burial ground with about 25 graves of the early settlers. The area is known, but it is not possible to locate the exact place of the graves.
Now the southwest corner of the northwest quarter of section 25, township 157 N, range 50 W, consisting of about 40 acres, is owned mainly by Alfred Hoenke, who bought it in 1934. He and his wife, Louise, live on the original town site and are keenly interested in its past history. Submitted by Alfred and Louise Hoenke and Gloria Thompson.
School District 30
Becker, George: President, Treasurer, Director
Brabender, H.W: President and Director
Conlon, Thomas: President and Director
Elder, Mrs. G: early teacher.
Goulet, George: Director
Gray, Adam: Clerk
Greer, W.T.: President
Grier, James A: Director
Parr, J.H: Director
Rasmussen, Christian: Director
School District 57
Dipple, John: Treasurer
Dipple, Nick: President and Director
Drane, Mrs. H: Early Teacher
Ebbighausen, H.G: Clerk
Parr, George: President and Director
Schrank, August: Director
Schrank, Ferdinand: Director
Steinky, Mrs: Director
Tank, Gustave: President and Director
In 1879, Lot 19 in the townshite of Acton was sold by Antoine Girard, and School District No. 15 was organized. In 1882 Carl Wolfgram built the schoolhouse. Classes began that year and were in session for 74 consecutive terms. Records of how many attended school are not available, but there would be a large number. The earliest teacher report lists Rosa Creek as a teacher. In 1890 Mrs. L.A. Drane was the teacher. The term was from April 14 to November 7. The number of pupils enrolled was 33, and the teacher’s salary was $35 per month.
One of the teachers in the school was Viljhamer Stefanson, the well-known arctic explorer. He taught in 1900 and 1901, each a term of seven months at a salary of $40 and $50 a month. In April of 1900, Mr. Stefanson rode his wheel (bicycle) from Grafton to Acton, where he signed a contract to teach school the coming summer. On the return trip to Grafton he had a flat tire on his wheel about halfway between Acton and Grafton and had to walk the remaining eight miles leading his wheel.
Mrs. Emil Hoenke (Bertha Wolfgram) whose father built the school, attended the school, as did all her children and three grandchildren. One teacher (Matilda DeSautel) taught two generations, returning for a second term after about fifteen years. The final term ended in May 1956, the last teacher was Adeline Dipple.
The schoolhouse is still standing on the same lot it was built on. The building is now owned by Alfred Hoenke, a grandson of the builder, and is kept primarily as a family momento and old landmark. Would it not be interesting if those walls could talk?
Altendorf, Herbert: Director
Kingsbury, Henry: Treasurer
Schumacher, Otto: Director
Scott, Maggie: Early Teacher
Weinlaeder, Christ: President and Director
Welter, N.P: Clerk
Welter, Nicholas: Director
Wolfgram, C: President
A photo taken in 1912 shows the following students standing outside of the schoolhouse. This is a list of the families represented:
Altendorf, Hubert
Currie, John
Dundas, Thomas
Ebertowski, J.
Erickson, Edward (superintendent)
Frame, A.
Hoenke, Emil
Kieley, F.T.
Korczak, Frank
Matilda DeSautel (teacher)
Maxwell, Thomas
Schumacher, Otto
Schumann, J.B.
Trost Family
Zinke, John
In 1879, when this area was still known as part of the Dakota Territory, a number of settlers in Acton Township called the Rev. Frieke of Hillsboro to conduct services in their midst. He served for six years. Pastor H. Brauer of St. Thomas, traveling by horse and carriage, ministered to these early settlers for a period of five years. It was during this pastorate that the congregation was organized. This took place July 25, 1887, with 14 charter members. The first elected officers were: Henry Kamper, President; Henry Ebbinghausen, Secretary; August Schultz, Treasurer; Gottlieb Zinke, William Schrank and Henry Feldmann, Trustees.
The first services were held in a small school house located in the southwest quarter of Sec. 3 of Action Township. In 1886, Henry Feldmann deeded a small plot of land to the congregation on the southwest half of section 10. In 1890 the congregation erected a two-story house on this plot. The first floor was used for a dwelling and the second story for worship. It was 24 feet by 30 feet and was built at the cost of $1,200. Carl Wolfgram and Christ Weinlaeder erected the building. The dedicatory services were held in November of 1890 with Rev. Honek preaching the sermon.
In 1896 this building was moved from Sec. 10 to Sec. 15 to center the church for the congregation. Twenty-nine years later, in 1925, a second church was erected at this location and the former church was used as a parsonage.
The pastors who served faithfully during these early years of our church’s history up to 1930 were: F. Honek, C. Malkow, H. Bauman, E. Stark, R.H. Buegel, R. Beck, and A. Bauchanz.
As told by Mrs. Emil Rasmussen
In the annals of North Dakota history the flood of 1897 will always hold a prominent place, and many tales of personal experience, loss and near tragedies will never be written. My family, pioneers of the Acton community, lived through the harrowing experience, and the stories of that period were often recalled in our home. When the floodwaters entered the first floor of the house the family, consisting at that time of my parents, two uncles, and six children (I had not yet joined the clan) retreated to the upstairs. Mother continued cooking on the first floor, wearing rubber boots. When this was no longer possible, cooking was done on a small heater, which also gave a minimum of heat to the cramped quarters.
Easter Sunday marked the most nerve-wracking day of the period. Strong winds and rain whipped the swollen river into huge waves which coursed through the timber area and became eddies of almost whirlpool strength. Boats, small buildings, dead animals and other usual debris of a flood flashed by. Big trees, uprooted, missed the house by narrow margins and were a prime cause for anxiety. Foundations were weakened by the water and should a tree have struck the house it could have been set afloat.
Finally, the small fire had to be abandoned for fear the chimney would catch fire. It was then my mother put the children in bed and spent the time singing to them and telling them stories almost to the limit of her resourcefulness. About 4 o’clock there came a bumping noise, and the men sprang to the window to see what it was. At first they saw nothing, but when someone claimed he had heard a shout, a more careful check was made, and they saw a hand clutching the window ledge. Opening the window they pulled in a man near exhaustion from the cold and water and fright.
Dry clothing, food and human companionship all helped him (Joe Grandchan) to regain his strength. He was a French woodcutter from up the river whose shack had been swept away, forcing him to take to his boat. It seemed that he had been exposed to the elements for several hours before he had driven his boat into our house. To our family he became “Joe.” For many years he was an annual visitor in our home, and each time the story of his rescue was retold. We younger children would listen while the story of the terrible Easter was retold and to our delight the ending was always the same. Joe would rub his bald pate ruefully and say in his broken English, “When Bill (our dad) pulled me through dat window he scrape off all my hair.” – With W.E. (Ed) Balkee, as told by Mrs. Emil Rasmussen in March of 1968.
Stories of George Cochran
“Walsh Heritage” Vol 1, pg 33
In the settlement period in the valley a great many Scotsmen were included among the pioneers, and among these were George Cochran, whose farm home is near the banks of the Red River, four miles north of Acton.
Mr. Cochran was 24 years old when he came to the future Walsh County in 1879. He was born at Renfrew, Ontario, Canada on December 1, 1854. In 1879 he went to Winnipeg. He had bought a team and wagon and he and two companions drove about in the vicinity of Winnipeg looking for homesteads. They rented a farm in that section and put in a crop and continued their search for land on which to file. They found none suitable, and he and one of his companions, “William Greer, decided to try the American side. The other one, Joseph Morrison, refused to leave Canadian soil but later did make the change.
“Greer and I walked from Winnipeg to the American boundary,” Mr. Cochran recounted, “and when we reached Pembina we were told that a man named George Parr had asked that persons looking for land be directed to his neighborhood, as he wished to get that section built up. He was in the Acton district, so we came here and saw Parr. We looked the country over and I located on what became the northwest quarter of section 15 in Acton Township. Greer took land two miles north of mine. Greer is dead and his widow moved to Idaho.”
“A man named Henry Howe had ‘squatted’ on my quarter and built a log house. I gave him $60 for his relinquishment. I went back to Winnipeg and returned in the spring with a team and wagon and farming equipment.”
In the first years of George’s residence on the farm, steamboats passed on the river nearby. Stage coaches “rocketed” along the trail not far from his cabin. Settlers were coming in rapidly and the young homesteader witnessed the rapid transition from the waning frontier days to the period of settlement and agricultural development.
He knew Kelly’s Point, later Acton, when it was a stage landing, boasting a lone structure – a log tavern. He remembers the beginning of Acton and the tavern kept by Antoine Girard. Joseph Dechenes had a store at Acton then and Alec Ross was a blacksmith there. Dr. Hamilton was already established there.
Mr. Cochran recalls assisting Dr. Hamilton and a Grand Forks surgeon with an amputation. The patient was none other than Joseph Morrison, his former companion, who had in the meantime located near Drayton. “Morrison had shot himself accidentally in the left shoulder while preparing to go hunting. It was found necessary to remove part of the left arm. It was a neat job and turned out alright.”
Among Mr. Cochran’s early neighbors were Louis Gereau, Gust Huard, John Rasmussen, Louis Carpenter, and John Boutlang, together with the French and Kemper families.
Population (2010 Census): 127
Peak Population: 411 in 1950
Total Area: 1.0 sq. mile
Post Office Established: June 12, 1890
Incorporated: 1905
Initial Location: NE 1/4 Sec. 27-157-58
Present Location: Secs. 13 and 14-157-58
Township: Adams
Other Names: Sarles
Elevation: 1,572 feet
Zip Code: 58210
“ADAMS was a farm post office established June 23, 1890, with Erick T. Grove, postmaster. It was located in NE1/4 Sec. 27-157-58, Adams Twp., which was named by settlers from Adams County, Wisconsin, which was named for John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), 6th President of the United States. The postmaster’s wife, Christina, suggested the name. In 1905, the Soo Line RR founded a town site in Secs. 13 and 14-157-58, three miles to the SE, naming it Sarles, but because of duplication the Adams name was transferred to the new location. The village incorporated in 1905, the Zip Code is 58210, and a peak population 411 was reached in 1950. Neil Levang, long time guitarist with the Lawrence Welk Band, was born here.” 2
“The top 6 ancestry groups in the city are Norwegian (51.7%), Czech (17.2%), German (17.2%), Swedish (7.4%), Polish (5.4%), Scots-Irish (4.4%).” 3
Founded: October 24, 1881
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 16-156-56
Township: Vernon Twp.
Post Office Closed: May 31, 1882
“AMOR was a farm post office established October 24, 1881, with Almon Wamben as postmaster. It was located in SE1/4 Sec. 16-156-56, Vernon Twp., midway between Park River and Lankin. The name is Latin for love. Ed Wamben (1853-1954) was a state legislator. The post office closed May 31, 1882, with mail to Kensington.” 2
Population (2010 Census): 67
Peak Population: 300 in 1890
Total Area: 0.3 square miles
Founded: 1881
Location: NW1/4 Sec. 33-155-52
Township: Ardoch
Other Names: Clare, Kimball and Ardock
Elevation: 827
Zip Code: 58213
Ardoch Catholic Church, after 1916
Ardoch, North Dakota, horizon view, 1908-12
Ardoch, North Dakota, public school, 1920s
ARDOCH is a small town on the St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railroad near the southern line of Walsh County. Early settlers called the place “Kimball,” but it was platted in 1881 as “Clare.” The post office was established February 27, 1882, with John Stevenson as postmaster. He named it for his hometown of Ardoch, Ontario, Canada. For some years the Great Northern Railroad station was spelled “Ardock,” creating a bit of confusion.
In 1884 it had several general stores, a considerable trade, and a population of 100 or more. The town site had an early boom period, claiming a population of 300 in 1890. High hopes continued in 1905, when the Soo Line RR came, making Ardoch a two-railroad town. Since that time, however, the village, which incorporated in 1886, has been in a decline, reporting a population of just 79 in 1980. In 1884 it had several general stores, a considerable trade, and a population of 100 or more. On August 31, 1975, the post office became a CPO of Grand Forks. (1, 2, 3)
Founded: March 26, 1883
Peak Population: 240 in 1890
Original Location: S 1/2 Sec. 25-158-54, Glenwood Twp.
Moved Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 14-158-153 (Auburn Station), Farmington Twp., in 1884.
Other Names: Auburn Station
“AUBURN was a farm post office established March 26, 1883, with Donald McKenzie as postmaster. It was located in S1/2 Sec. 25-158-54, Glenwood Twp., five miles NW of Grafton, and named for Auburn, Ontario, Canada, which was named for Auburn, Yorkshire, England, a city featured in Oliver Goldsmith’s poem The Deserted Village. In 1884, the post office moved four miles NE to AUBURN STATION in NW 1/4 Sec. 14-158-153, Farmington Twp. This place became generally known as AUBURN. An initial boom resulted in a population of 240 in 1890, but all census reports since 1920 have been under 100. The post office closed March 31, 1943, with mail to Grafton. Harley Ralph Kingsbury, a long time state legislator, was born in Auburn in 1913.” 2
Taken from “Walsh Heritage” Vol 1, pg 45-48
Auburn is located on land homesteaded by Hiram Kingsbury, who with his brothers, Henry and Wesley, came from Hemmingford, Quebec. Controversy developed over the location of the townsite…J. H. Watts, who owned land by the newly established Walsh County border with Pembina County, wanted the townsite there. Matt Archer, who came from Hemmingford in 1880, headed a group of pioneer homesteaders who wanted the town established on its present site. He rode many miles on horseback, collecting signatures on a petition to have Auburn situated two miles south of the county line.
The Great Northern Railroad reached the site of the newly planned town in 1882, one year after it had reached Grafton. Many of the homesteaders worked on the construction of the road bed with horses and scrapers, wheelbarrows and spades. Among them were Ole Larson and Ole Lerud, who earned money so that they could hire more fortunate neighbors to turn their sod with the plow.
Judge McKenzie owned land adjoining Auburn on the north. He had come from Auburn, Ontario, and it was he who named the newly-platted town. One report is that Donald McKenzie was the first postmaster; another report states that it is recorded that Matt Archer was the first postmaster. Matt Archer and his brother George filed a homestead claim on the land bordering Auburn on the east. They planted a fine grove of elm trees. The Sever Tollack farm home on the south edge of Auburn had another fine grove and it was beautifully landscaped in the early days. Within the town limits the Branston, Hostettor and Lemon homes had cottonwood and boxelder trees planted around them. These were the trees that the pioneers used for the most part in their planting.
Story has it that caravans of wagons hauling grain passed through the area on their way to St. Andrews where there was a grain elevator. They shipped the grain on barges propelled by the Red River steamboats. This long trek was shortened considerably when seven elevators were built in Auburn. Before very long Jim Hill, the railroad builder, had a network of rails across the western part of the state. Two of the elevators in Auburn were small, privately-owned elevators, the enterprise of Sam Lemon and Murray Hostettor. The other five elevators were: the St. Anthony, Northwestern, Peavey, Federal and Great Western. Some of the early grain buyers were Billy Herriot, Joe Cronin, Mr. McClean, Mr. Wells, Dan McLaughlin, J. H. Watts, Charles Hanson, Charlie and Billy Miller and Billy McWaters.
Selmer Lykken recalls that when his father, Lars Lykken, who owned a steam threshing rig, threshed for George Burrows a couple of miles out of Auburn, he (Selmer) hauled grain to the small elevator at the north end of Auburn. The power to operate the elevator was later moved to the Henry Kingsbury farm and used as a granary, powered first by a gasoline engine and later by R. E. A. electricity.
The first Peavey Elevator burned and was rebuilt in 1910. At that time Billy McWaters operated it. Later Harry Colter became manager in 1912. Murray Hostettor sold his small elevator at the south end of Auburn to the Federal Elevator Co. In 1906-1907, it was managed by Henry Kingsbury. He quit the Federal to work with and for the newly-formed Farmers Elevator Association, which organized to established a co-operative marketing program, a movement which was engaging attention at that time.
The association records show that a group of farmers met at Auburn on January 18, 1908, to map plans for the organization of a farmer’s elevator company. George K. Dike served as chairman of this meeting and J. E. Kingsbury as secretary. Others in attendance were John Donnelly, H. H. Lykken, Theo. Nelson, Charles A. Boone, Sever Tollack, Joseph DeSautel, Clifford Tufft, John McKibben, L. J. Herbison and Olie A. Rod. Henry Kingsbury was engaged as wheat buyer and manager August 22, 1908. The association purchased the St. Anthony Elevator, coal and wood yards for $5,500. In 1916, Henry Kingsbury suffered death by accident because his heavy winter coat caught in the main shaft. Subsequent managers were A. C. Anderson, W. H. Dickie, Stewart Bell and A. A. Stavert. While Stewart Bell was manager, the company purchased the Peavey Elevator, enlarged it and used it. They razed the old elevator. Later the Farmers Elevator was sold to the Boone brothers and it became a private storage elevator.
The Great Northern Depot has not been in continuous operation. It was closed for a few years prior to 1912. The agent in Grafton transacted the business in Auburn. In 1912, it was reopened with an agent by the name of Roholt. Other agents have ben Roy Waite, John Pavik, Louis Bolton, Christopher Gamper, Ernest Hennum, Joe Bostic, Mrs. Norman Rittle and Allen Moe.
In its early days Auburn had seven saloons. These dispensaries gave Auburn the name of being a rather boisterous, wide-open town. This saddened the pioneer women. In 1889, when the Dakota Territory became North Dakota and South Dakota, the North Dakota constitution declared the state a dry state. This brought an end to the saloons. In the meantime, Auburn suffered two major fires. One fire began in the Arlington Hotel in the winter of 1888-1889. The buildings on the west side of the street were destroyed and were never rebuilt except that Arthur Branston built a small store.
Bill McKenzie operated the “Arlington Hotel” which was the largest of the two hotels in Auburn, the smaller one being the “Peterboro House.” In later days the Peterboro House was moved to Judge McKenzie’s farm on the north edge of Auburn and used as a private dwelling. Sandy Parks was a druggist. The Robertson Lumber Company had a branch yard in Auburn. The Landstad Lutheran Church was built in 1888, although the congregation had been organized seven years earlier in 1881. “Whiskey” John Weselosky was a colorful character on the Auburn scene. He owned a hog farm on the site where Herman Fisher, Sr., lived.
Herman Fisher, Sr., and his wife Wilhelmina, came from Pomerania in Germany. After working as a harness maker and a farmer he moved to Auburn and became a truck gardener. He canvassed the countryside with horse and wagon, selling the produce from his garden. From 1912 to 1925, Harry Colter traveled a circuit with a pure-bred stallion, building up the horse population and horsepower in the surrounding farm area. Pat Phelan also had a stallion, and he had a route of his own.
In early Auburn, the lodge known as the Modern Woodmen of America had a flourishing and energetic membership. They built the Woodmen Hall and the Woodmen barn. The latter was a rather large, roomy structure used to stable the visiting horses. Its outside walls became the repositories for circus posters and advertising Ringling Bros. or Barnum & Bailey shows when they came to neighboring Grafton. The hall became the center of activities that enlivened Auburn at that time. It was here that they held their heated political rallies during the days of William Jennings Bryan and William McKinley. Speakers from Grafton, such as Major John Fraine, recently returned from the Philippines, Attorney E. N. Swiggum and John Cashel used to speak at these meetings. Matt Arch enthusiastically presided over the Democratic rallies; Mike Skjulstad and Henry Kingsbury presided over the Republican rallies. Afterwards they rejoined across the street in Branston’s store where they finished their “argufying.” It is reported that Matt Archer and Henry Kingsbury were the main combatants in these heated verbal frays. Matt Archer would say: “Well, it is necessary according to law.” “It may be necessary according to law,” drawled Kingsbury, “but we have more law than is necessary.”
One of the more enduring business places in Auburn was the General Store. Bill McKenzie is credited as being one of the early storekeepers. The names of other merchants were Ed Duval, who was also a harness maker, and Murray Hostettor who also had a hardware store. Arthur Branston had a small store across the street from the big store. Bill Sturdy owned the Auburn Store and prospered in it. He later sold his business to Mike Skjulstad whose tenure was a flourishing one. He was assisted in the store by his daughter, Martha. The post office was a part of the store, and both father and daughter conducted the official business of the office. Mike Skjulstad sold the store to J. E. Kingsbury, who in turn sold it to Luther Lykken. In the thirties, the automobile channeled the trade to nearby Grafton, and the store stood empty for a time. Art and Margery Faye reopened it for a short run until Mr. Fay’ tragic death in an automobile accident. Mike Skjulstad’s first business was a blacksmith shop, which was across the street north from the store. His home stood next to his shop. After the Hostettor house was move out of town, the Skjulstad house was moved to the spot where the Hostettor house had been so that they could have the benefit of the fine trees growing there.
Clara Emily Johnson was the first teacher in School District 29. She had a class of 25 pupils including such names as Irish, Moore, Weselosky, Penell, McKenzie and Ole Gilman. Clara Johnson married Hans Lykken, and in due time three of her daughters (Cora, Hazel and Mabel) taught in the Auburn school. For a time, the Auburn school was a two-room school. Two of the teachers, Miss Deitz and Miss Thompson, “batched it” in the Weston house which was next door north to the O. J. Bolton home. Another term, Miss Wright and Miss Hendrickson boarded at the Joe Herbison home which was across the street from the Hostettor house. At one time, two men were the mentors in the school, Reagan and McConnache by name. The roll of teachers includes such names as Cora Lykken, Edna Jones, Bessie Neilson, Hattie Kingsbury, Hazel Lykken, Winnifred Donnelly, Hulda Carlson, Nellie Archer, Beatrice Strand, Mary Campbell and others. Mrs. Matt Archer taught piano lessons for the young ladies of the community. She also chorded for the old-time country fiddlers. Jim Moore used to call for the quadrilles and the reels.
During the declining days of Auburn, farmers began buying and moving the houses into the country. The Branston house was moved to the Tufft farm, the Hostettor house to the Colter farm, the Weston house to the J. E. Kingsbury farm, the Jim Johnson house to the Spratt farm, and the Lemon cottage to the Charlie Kingsbury farm. It is probable that Mike Skjulstad’s blacksmith shop as moved to the Henry Kingsbury farm.
In the early twenties, the Wolter Brothers built a large potato warehouse next door south to the Peavey Elevator. For the first forty years the farmers in the area had grown only grain. A revolution took place and diversified farming with emphasis on potatoes as well as grain, and later sugar beets became the order of the day. At first farmers built potato pits on the farms, but now they build warehouses along the railroad right-of-way. In some instances, special sidings have been built. Today, Auburn, like all the villages and towns around, has a string of potato warehouses.
St. Anne’s Catholic Church of Crystal was moved into Auburn to be used for the migrant beet workers. A new school was built, but before long the district was incorporated into the Grafton District and the new school became a private dwelling. The old school was remodeled and for years was the home of Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Haug. Today it is in the possession of Mr. and Mrs. John Klapp, who cherish old cars, old towns, old buildings and the history relating to them.
Like many towns in the Dakota Territory, Auburn was conceived in high hopes and rich promise. Comstock & White, the firm that platted Grafton, was engaged to plat Auburn. In a plat book published in 1893, the map of Auburn has six streets running east to west numbered from one to six, with two streets running north to south named Main Street and Park Avenue. The railroad runs diagonally through Auburn from southeast to northwest at a slight angle. At its widest point on the south end Auburn was two and a half blocks wide. At the north end it was a block and a half wide, with the eastern tier of blocks tapering to a point. In 1893, there were five elevators: two Red River Valley Elevators, the Minnesota and Northern, Brooks Elevator Co., Northwestern and Hostettor, Johnson & Cliff.
Allard Brothers had a general store. Ed DeWald was a harness maker. William McKenzie moved from Sweden to Auburn and operated a hotel and a general store, which also housed the post office. The Robertson Lumber Company closed its branch yard in 1894. This was the beginning of the slow erosion that ultimately was to leave Auburn a small village of the plains.
When World War I stimulated the demand for scrap iron, Fred Goldenzeil moved his family from Fargo to Auburn where he collected and shipped scrap iron. The Goldenzeils moved the McKenzie house from its site south of the old St. Anthony house and moved it to the spot where the Lemon cottage had been. This was when Auburn had become a sleepy village on the plains. Bertha Goldenzeil, commenting on her husband’s move from Fargo, often lamented, “Columbus discovered America, but Fred, he discovered Auburn.”
Submitted by Kenneth Colter, 252 W. 12th Street, Grafton, North Dakota, 58237
Peak Population: Unknown
Founded: Unknown
Location: Secs. 12 and 13-155-58
Township: Perth Twp.
“BECHYNE is a rural community centered around Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Secs. 12 and 13-155-58, Perth Twp. A townsite was developed by the brothers Frank and John Hodny, and Msgr. Vaclav F. Mikolasek (1878-1950) was the long-time priest at the church. The name is taken from Bechyne, Bohemia, a holy place in Czechoslovakia. Pioneer settler, Joseph Bosh, was born there in 1858, and is thought to have suggested the name.”
Founded: July 13, 1883
Post Office closed: February 18, 1884
Location: NE1/4 Sec. 11-158-52
Township: Martin
Other Names: Butter
“BUTLER was a farm post office established July 13, 1883, with Thomas Hare, postmaster. It was located in the NE 1/4 Sec. of Cashel and nine miles NE of Grafton. The origin of the name is unknown. The post office closed February 18, 1884, with mail to Grafton. Butter is an erroneous spelling.”
Peak Population: 80 in 1920
Post Office Established: December 17, 1877
Post Office Closed: March 15, 1943
Location: NE 1/4 Sec. 26-158-52
Township: Martin Twp.
Other Names: None
“CASHEL is the first Northern Pacific Railroad Station NE of Grafton, located in the NE 1/4 Sec. 26-158-52, Martin Twp. The name honors John Lyons Cashel Sr. (1848-1926), a Grafton Banker, realtor and politician who owned the town site. The family name comes from the ancient city of Cashel, county Tiperary, in southern Ireland. The post office was established December 17, 1877, with Charles Moore as postmaster, and it was closed March 15, 1943, with mail to Drayton. A population of 80 was listed in 1920.” 2
Post Office Established: No post office established under this name. See Ardoch.
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 33-155-52
Township: Ardoch Twp.
Other Names: Kimball, Ardock, and Ardoch
“CLARE. The first plat of the town site was in NW 1/4 Sec. 33-155-52, Ardoch Twp. in 1881 with the title of Clare, probably for Clare County, Ireland. Later plats continued to show this section of town as the “Original Town Site of Clare, ” but the name never appears to have been actually used by local residents. When settlement began, the site was called KIMBALL, and when that name was found to be duplicated in what is now South Dakota, the name was changed to ARDOCH. Clair and Claire are erroneous spellings. “2
Conway, North Dakota, public school, 1910s
Population (2010): 23
Post Office Established: January 12, 1885
Location: NE 1/4 Sec. 23-155-55
Township: Eden Twp.
Area: 0.2 square miles (all land)
Incorporation: 1895
Peak Population: 228 in 1890
Other Names: Eden and Kelner
Elevation: 993 ft.
Zip Code: 58232
CONWAY. This was originally EDEN, a pioneer settlement founded in 1882 in the NE 1/4 sec. 23-155-55, Eden Twp. It failed to develop, but in 1884 a Great Northern Railroad Station was built there, and a farm post office called KELNER was established at the site. The following year, on January 12, 1885, it was renamed CONWAY when postmaster Norman Kelner adopted the new name. A farm post office named Conway, about two miles to the north, had operated for twenty-seven days in late 1884, and may have had some influence in the naming of the station. The village incorporated in 1895 and reached a peak population of 228 in 1890, with a decline to just 33 in 1980. The elevation is 993, and the Zip Code is 58232. Since October 27, 1961, the post office has been a rural branch of Fordville. Lloyd Bennett Omdahl, a former Tax Commissioner and ND Lt. Governor (1987) was born here in 1931. Kilner is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,3,18,40,75) (pg 101)
Web Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway,_North_Dakota
http://ghostsofnorthdakota.com
“Walsh Heritage,” Vol. 3, pg 253-254
In 1884 the Great Northern Railway was completed as far north as the present site of Conway. A trust company in Minneapolis bought a claim from Telson Wager. They subdivided the land and sold lots to incoming businesses. Vorachek, Voboda and Woods opened the first General Store. Other businesses followed: two more stores, a hardware store, a drug store, a barber shop, a blacksmith shop, a lumber yard, and of course, a saloon.
Active business people in those early days included John Vernon, William Cross, John Kerr, Voboda, Tom Daily and Charles Daily. At the turn of the century Richard Fitzgerald owned a restaurant. His sister, Catherine Fitzgerald, owned a photo gallery. Walter Bye had a barber shop. A block of brick buildings was built, called the Merriman Block. It house a drug store run by Charles and Tom Daily. A large hall above the drug store was used for dancing and other public gatherings.
In 1902 most of the downtown area of Conway burned. Folks used to talk of the “big fire” that even burned the water tower, which was empty at the time.
Bert Stary owned a livery barn facing Main Street, north of the Vorachek Store. One night in 1908 it burned. A few horses lost their lives since they kept running back into the fire as fast as the men brought them out. A 14-year-old boy, Joe Hennessey, was working at the barn and was sleeping there, but he escaped unharmed. It was said that he turned white overnight.
At one time there were six elevators in Conway. J. C. Cummins was the first grain buyer. Other buyers that followed were Oliver Davidson, Dar Weed, Charles Heising, and Mr. Peterson. On a very windy night the elevator on the Soo Line burned, and pieces of burning wood were blown for long distances. Neighbors had to form a bucket brigade to save the houses.
Dr. Richard Church lived an practiced medicine in Conway from 1895-1907. He moved to the new town of Lankin and later to Park River where he practiced until his death in 1915.
The school built in 1893 burned in 1919, and pupils finished the school year in the dining room area of the ZCBJ Hall. The new brick school was built in 1920. It was torn down in 1975, some time after the school district consolidated with the Fordville School District. Conway always had a baseball team and a band in those early days.
Frank Nasinic operated the blacksmith shop during the early years of this century. He sold the shop and moved to a farm south of town. Two brothers ran the blacksmith shop for several more years. The shop no longer stands.
Tom Burris ran a livery barn and a dray service for a few years. That barn was on the side street near the blacksmith shop.
The first hotel in Conway was a large wooden structure just across the street south of the Conway Bank. William Cross ran it first; later a family name Dowhower ran it. Annie Meagher Fitzgerald also ran it as a rooming house for a short time.
Robertson Lumber Yard was run by Mike Dougherty for many years. Mrs. Dar Weed had a millinery shop in her home for many years. She also provided board and room for high school girls who came in from the country.
In the 1890’s a group organized to build the Conway Presbyterian Church. It was an active group for many years. The original Saint Mark’s Catholic Church building in Conway was built west of the Great Northern tracks. It was being remodeled when it burned on February 3, 1939, and was renamed Saint Mark’s Church when it was rebuilt in 1939. Charles and Anna Heising and Henry and Frances Burris donated the land on which the present church stands. Father Simpson was pastor from the 1890’s to the 1920’s. In 1977 an addition was built.
Charles Van Arsdale was cashier of the Conway Bank from 1898 to 1918. He then became president, and Leonard F. Cawley became cashier. In 1926 the bank closed voluntarily because of bad economic conditions. The bank paid all depositors in full. In 1922 the Farmers Security Bank was opened with John Bina as cashier. It closed three years later because of the bad economic conditions.
Fred Getchman was the section foreman for the Great Northern Railroad. Lars Omdahl was the Soo Line section foreman. Some men worked year around on the section. In the summer extra help was needed to repair and replace ties and rails. For years a tower stood where the railroads crossed. The Great Northern had the right-of-way, so someone had to be in the tower to throw the switches so a Soo train could pass through. In 1905 the Soo Railroad went through Conway from east to west. That was the beginning of the end for Conway. The towns of Fordville, Dahlen, Lankin and Adams were built. That took business that Conway had enjoyed.
For years there were two depots in Conway. Then, one year they closed the Great Northern depot and moved the Soo Depot to where the tracks crossed. It became a Union depot. Tom Burris bought the Great Northern depot building and moved it to his property and made a barn of it. The Union depot is now gone, and trains no longer stop in Conway.
Harry Burris ran a store near Bert Stary’s tire shop. He also had the post office. His family lived in the back of the store His oldest son had a broken leg in a cast and was in bed when the store burned. The family escaped unharmed and they saved the post office. Burris opened a store in the Merriman Block and set up the post office there. He and his family lived above the store.
At the time, Jack McDonald had a barber shop where the drug store had been. Conrad Bjerke had a hardware store at the far end of the Merriman Block. One cold night in winter the Merriman Block burned. When Mr. Wurth burned his hands, he put them in snow and they were frostbitten. (He moved to Larimore later and ran a restaurant there.) Harry Burris saved the post office and again the family escaped unharmed. He gave up the store business after that. Conrad Bjerke left town, and the stores were never rebuilt.
Mary Sobolick (Mrs. Swehla), became postmistress next, and the post office was moved into a small wooden building across the street from the Merriman Block.
Bert Stary had an automobile dealership and garage on the Main Street not far from the Conway Bank. He did a booming business for some years. One day the garage burned and was never rebuilt.
After the fire of 1902, a single brick store was built across the street from the Merriman Block. Frank Vorachek ran a store there until it burned. He used a small wooden structure nearby as a store while a new brick store was built, and that brick building still stands. After Vorachek sold the store, a Mr. Johnson ran it a few years. Later, Charles and Mary Hennessey ran the store.
The Park River News, September 9, 1897, pg 4
“The village of Conway was the scene of a terrible disaster last Saturday night. Some time in the afternoon, three hoboes started out on a looting expedition. They entered a number of stores and while one of them occupied the attention of the clerks, the others helped themselves to whatever was near. In one of the drug stores they took all the liquor they wanted and then proceeded to create a general disturbance. This, the marshal objected to and, assisted by a number of citizens, he attempted to arrest them. A general fight ensued in which a number of shots were fired and one of the hobos was slightly wounded. At last the men were placed in the village lock up, which was a small one-story frame building. About 11 o’clock the alarm of fire was sounded, and it was found that the jail was in flames. The men, in some way, had set fire to the building, presumably in the hope of escape, but before assistance could reach them, they were most horribly burned, one of them dying instantly, another living only a few hours, and the third dying Sunday at 1 p.m,. It is said that the men’s names were Welch, Murphy, and Dady, respectively, but nothing further of their identity could be learned.”
Location: RR loading station NE 1/4 Sec. 17-155-56, built in 1911.
Township: Medford Twp.
“DEWAR was a Soo Line RR loading station built in 1911 in NE 1/4 Sec. 17-155-56, Medford Twp., five miles NW of Fordville. It is said to have been named for an uncle of Mrs. Victor Potulny of Fordville. Albert Harazim was the elevator manager here 1916-1935, but no major development ever occurred. DeWar is an erroneous spelling. ” 2
Peak Population: 25 in 1890
Post Office Established: April 12, 1881 and closed December 31, 1887
Post Office Re-established: March 22, 1888, closed October 31, 1902
Location: Sec. 17-158-55
Township: DundeeTwp. (6 miles E/NE of Edinburg)
Other Names: None
“DUNDEE was a rural community located in Sec. 17-158-55, Dundee Twp., 6 miles E-NE of Edinburg. Some say it was named for Dundee Twp., Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, while others say it was named for Dundee, Ontario, Canada, both of which were named for Dundee, Scotland. The post office was established April 12, 1881, with Ole Olveson as postmaster, and it closed December 31, 1887, with mail going to Lampton. It reopened on March 22, 1888, but closed for good October 31, 1902, with mail going to Edinburg. A population of 25 was reported in 1890, but the lack of a railroad led to its demise.” 2
Conway, North Dakota, public school, 1910s
Population (2010): 23
Post Office Established: January 12, 1885
Location: NE 1/4 Sec. 23-155-55
Township: Eden Twp.
Area: 0.2 square miles (all land)
Incorporation: 1895
Peak Population: 228 in 1890
Other Names: Eden and Kelner
Elevation: 993 ft.
Zip Code: 58232
Conway, North Dakota, public school, 1910s
CONWAY. This was originally EDEN, a pioneer settlement founded in 1882 in the NE 1/4 sec. 23-155-55, Eden Twp. It failed to develop, but in 1884 a Great Northern Railroad Station was built there, and a farm post office called KELNER was established at the site. The following year, on January 12, 1885, it was renamed CONWAY when postmaster Norman Kelner adopted the new name. A farm post office named Conway, about two miles to the north, had operated for twenty-seven days in late 1884, and may have had some influence in the naming of the station. The village incorporated in 1895 and reached a peak population of 228 in 1890, with a decline to just 33 in 1980. The elevation is 993, and the Zip Code is 58232. Since October 27, 1961, the post office has been a rural branch of Fordville. Lloyd Bennett Omdahl, a former Tax Commissioner and ND Lt. Governor (1987) was born here in 1931. Kilner is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,3,18,40,75) (pg 101)
Web Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway,_North_Dakota
http://ghostsofnorthdakota.com
Edinburgh, North Dakota, High School, 1900s
Post Office Established: November 1, 1882
Incorporated: 1886
Peak Population: 378 in 1940
Present Population: 196 in 2010
Total Area: 0.3 square miles (all land)
Original Site: NW 1/4 Sec. 5-158-56
Moved: 3 miles SE to E 1/2, Sec. 21-158-56
Other Names: Edinburgh
Elevation: 1,194 Feet
Zip Code: 58227
Edinburgh, North Dakota, High School, 1900s
Edinburgh, North Dakota, Main Street, 1920s
“This settlement was founded as EDINBURGH in 1882 in NW1/4 Sec. 5-158-56, Lampton Twp. The post office was established November 1, 1882, with Christian Buck (1849-1912) as postmaster. Mr. Buck, a native of Tromso, Norway, named it for Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. He had attended Edinburgh University before coming to America and was a much revered citizen of this community until he was murdered by a transient in 1912.
The village incorporated in 1886, and the following year moved about 3 miles SE to the new Great Northern Railroad town site in E 1/2 Sec. 21-158-56. On November 17, 1892, postmaster John E. White changed the name to EDINBURG to comply with new government spelling regulations. When these rules were relaxed a few years later, many affected names were restored to their previous spellings, but EDINBURG has continued with its new name. The elevation is 1194, the Zip Code is 58227, and a peak population of 378 was reached in 1940.” 2
Web Links :
Wikipedia Article: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edinburg,_North_Dakota
Official City Website: http://www.edinburgnd.com/
Edinburgh, North Dakota, Main Street, 1920s
Post Office Established: October 24, 1895
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51
Township: Saint Andrews Twp.
Other Names: Elora, New Saint Andrews, Saint Andrews Station
“HERRICK began as a railroad station for the Northern Pacific named NEW SAINT ANDREWS. Constructed in 1887, it was located in NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, four miles NW of the Red River Port of Saint Andrews. In 1893 it adopted the name SAINT ANDREWS STATION, with William Sell as postmaster. On October 24, 1895, a post office named ELORA was operated there. The post office was named for Elora Jennings, the daughter of James Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived northwest of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning “light.” The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. After it closed, the NPRR officials renamed the station HERRICK, for Frank and Job Herrick, who had settled here in 1870. Two elevators were at this site for many years, one operated by John C. Stewart (1857-1948), who came here in 1900.”2
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885.
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
ELORA: This post office was established October 24, 1885, with William Sell pm. It was located in the NW1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, Saint Andrew Twp., serving the North Pacific Railroad station called SAINT ANDREWS STATION, which had been built in 1887 and at first called NEW SAINT ANDREWS. The post office was named for Elora Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived NW of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning light. The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. At this time the Northern Pacific Railroad renamed the station HERRICK. (2, 3, 19, 40, 75)(pg 57)
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
Established: May 5, 1884
Postmaster: George O. Sevinson
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 4-157-54, Fertile Twp., 7 miles NE of Park River
Closed: February 19, 1885 with mail to Perry
FAIRCHILD: This was a rural post office established May 5, 1884, with George O. Sevinson as postmaster. It was located in NW ¼ Sec. 4-157-54, Fertile Township., seven miles NE of Park River, and closed February 19, 1885, with mail to Perry. The origin of the name is unknown. (25,40,414)(pg 62).
Sod house near Fairdale, ND, 1903
Established: September 27, 1905
Postmaster: Ole J. Nordlie
Location: SE ¼ Sec. 22 & SW ¼ Sec. 23-158-59, Kinloss Twp.
Zip Code: 58229
Village Incorporated: 1907
Peak Population: 192 in 1920.
FAIRDALE: This Soo Line Railroad station was founded in 1905 in SE ¼ Sec. 22 & SW ¼ Sec. 23-158-59, Kinloss Twp., and given a descriptive name noting its pleasant location in the Park River Valley. The post office was established September 27, 1905, with Ole J. Nordlie, postmaster. The Zip Code is 58229, and the village, which incorporated in 1907, reached a peak population of 192 in 1920. Al Van Dahl, the pioneer editor of The Fairdale Times, later achieved success in Mill City, Oregon, as the publisher of The Western Stamp Collector, a national periodical serving that popular hobby. (1,2,3,18,33,40,75)(pg 62).
Erickson, Emma and Milda, Fairdale 1900s
Sod House of Elling Ohnstad, Fairdale, 24 Jun 1923
Fairdale Home, 1890s
Interior of Elling Ohnstad Sod House, Fairdale 1928
Fairdale Main Street
Fairdale Token
Fairdale Winter
Post Office Established: March 22, 1881
Postmaster: Osmund T. Hjemdal
Location: SW ¼ Sec. 26-157-54, Fertile Twp., 9 miles WSW of Grafton
Closed: June 7, 1883 with mail to Grafton.
FERTILE: This was a farm post office established March 22, 1881, with Osmund T. Hjemdal, Postmaster, and named by settlers from Iowa to note the fertile soil at their new home. The township adopted the name in 1882. It was located in SW ¼ Sec. 26-157-54, Fertile Twp., nine miles WSW of Grafton, and closed June 7, 1883, with mail to Grafton. Roger Allin came here in 1880 from Ontario, Canada, and lived in SE ¼ Sec. 22-157-54, one mile NW of the post office. Mr. Allin was the first township clerk, and was Governor of North Dakota from 1895-96. (2,3,25,40,75,415)(pg 64)
Fordville, North Dakota, 1913
Post Office Established: 1905 as MEDFORD
Post Office Name Changed: May 21, 1910 as FORDVILLE
Postmaster: William J. Henry
Location: Sec. 26-155-56, Medford Twp.
Village incorporation: 1911.
Zip Code: 58231
Peak Population: 442 in 1930
FORDVILLE: The Soo Line RR town site of MEDFORD was founded in 1905 in Sec. 26-155-56, Perth Twp., and changed its name to FORDVILLE officially on July 1, 1910, to end confusion with similarly named stations. The new name was coined from MedFORD and BelleVILLE, a rural post office that had merged with MEDFORD in 1907. The FORDVILLE post office adopted the new name on May 21, 1910 during the term of postmaster William J. Henry. The village incorporated in 1911 with Karl Isackson as mayor. It is the eastern terminus of the Drake-Fordville Line. The Zip Code is 58231, and a peak population of 442 was reported in 1930. (1,2,3,40,52,70,75,79,293)(pg 66).
Web Link: ghostsofnorthdakota.com
Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordville,_North_Dakota
Forest River, ND, Main Street looking south, 1920s
Post Office Established: September 20, 1878
Postmaster: Jesse B. Warren
Location: Sec. 28-155-53, Forest River Twp.
Incorporated as a Village: 1893
Peak Population: 236 in 1950
Elevation: 858 feet
Zip Code: 58233
Forest River, Main Street, 1909
FOREST RIVER: This was a rural settlement in Sec. 28-155-53, Forest River Twp., named for the Forest River, which flows through the area. The river was originally called the Big Salt River until 1878, when the name was changed to note the heavy growth of trees along its banks. The post office was established September 20, 1878, with Jesse B. Warren, postmaster. This site was crossed by both the Northern Pacific RR and the Soo Line RR. In 1893 incorporated as a village, reaching a peak population of 236 in 1950. The elevation is 858 feet, and the Zip Code is 58233. Dr. Alexander B. Field (1863-1949) was the town doctor from his arrival in 1892 until his death fifty-seven years later. (1,2,18,25,33,40,52,75,79)(pg 66).
“Graham Bros. settled in 1880 and opened a general store, and they were followed in short time by the Bates Bros., who also opened a general store. The post office was soon established, and William Wood was appointed Postmaster”. 1
“Walsh Heritage,” Vol 3, pg 363
Forest River Main Street, 1880’s
Unless you have lived in a small town, you may find it a little difficult to understand how we feel about it. When I tell people here about it, I mean people who have always lived in a metropolis, they say, “I wouldn’t want to live there – everyone knows your business.” I say, “What business?” We never had any that mattered who knew it. I have always been thankful that through either choice or circumstance we had the opportunity to raise our children in that environment. We never seemed to have any fear of anything, and I don’t think they missed very much, if anything. We lived near the river, and they learned to be excellent swimmers without anyone to instruct them. “The proverbial swimming hole” also provided good skating in the winter. And when the snow was too deep, a homemade rink was provided for their enjoyment. A music teacher, band master, and vocal teacher all came to our town to teach them music. The opportunity was there if they cared to avail themselves of it. On Decoration Day and other holidays, seeing our young bunch marching through town we were really thrilled. The fact that quite a few notes were missing…what parent noticed that?
At one time the town boasted of having a dentist, a drugstore, and even a hotel, but they were long gone when we got there, as there just weren’t enough of us to support them. Saturday night dances were a family affair. Adults had to be very sure-footed to dodge all our children that were on the floor. The only ones that weren’t up were the babies bundled and asleep on the side benches. The traveling orchestras were really lively, and we had a lot of fun dancing to the tune of “The Girl with the Hole in her Stocking.”
We had roller skating for all, our children under foot, as usual. And afterward we would go to someone’s home for a midnight snack. Our young people made all the dances in the surrounding towns, which were also small. If they didn’t get home when we thought they should we just turned over and went back to sleep. And they always came home. Whenever we needed money for a project, we were interested in we put on “home talent” plays, which were very popular and attended by all. Our school was so nearby that the children could walk to it in any kind of weather and could come home for a hot lunch at noon.
There was an active 4-H Club, also a church club. Whoever was to serve lunch would notify you an hour before the meeting and bring the plate back empty in another hour. What they did, besides eat, I never knew. We had two churches – one on each side corner of one block, so consequently that street was called Church Street. As it was a farming community, our children had an opportunity to pull mustard in the summer and pick potatoes in the fall, which usually got them a new sweater or something they really wanted, (mostly fun though). For a funeral, every business place closed for the afternoon. The farmers shut down all their machinery and came in. Our churches were always filled for those occasions. A solemn atmosphere of respect was in the air. The sympathy and help that your neighbors give you in your hour of sorrow is so very real and unforgettable.
The small town has contributed several doctors, engineers, urses and other prominent citizens to which we point with pride. The architecture of the town is comprised of two or three grain elevators, a beef-loading plant, two railroad depots, large potato warehouses, and a new Masonic Temple. It’s a prosperous little town. Our community Christmas tree was always such a joyous event, with gifts for all. Sometimes you would get a package that would hardly come under the name present, all for fun though.
Wonderful harvest home suppers were given in the town hall. People from all the small towns came, and so much of the banquet was home grown, so we considered them free. People in town never thought of planting sweet corn or potatoes; we just hopped in a car and went to the farmers’ fields and helped ourselves. It was so much fun to pack a lunch and go berrying! Wild plums, big juicy gooseberries whose prickly thorns never kept us away, and choke cherries hanging in big black clusters were free for the picking. You were always warned not to drink milk after eating them for fear you would choke, but we ate them then drank milk, and nobody ever choked. Our doors were never locked, the keys were always in the car, and shades were seldom drawn. If you wanted to see anyone special, be at the post office at mail time. There was no delivery, but it was a good chance to see your neighbor.
In the spring your lawn was a yellow carpet of the biggest, fluffiest and healthiest dandelions ever to grow. They just challenged us to try to eradicate them. When I see a lonesome little one out here, I feel sorry for it, because it really looks like it has “tired blood.” O yes! We did have a policeman. But if he ever had anything to do, I never knew what, nor did anyone else. Our programs on Decoration Day at the cemetery were very impressive, after which we all went to the community picnic in the park. When filling up your plate you would just wonder how there could be so many good cooks in such a little place. If you are not one that has had the privilege of living in a small town, you have really missed something so very worthwhile. Truly, you have missed something if you have never lived in a small town.
Written by Mrs. Wm. G. Legg, April 1960
Coming Soon!
Post Office Established: February 5, 1883
Location: NE ¼ Sec. 22-156-57, Norton Twp., 2 miles west of Lankin
Postmaster: Thomas H. Woods
Post Office Closed: May 21, 1892, renamed NORTON
GALT: This was a country store established in 1882 in NE ¼ sec. 22-156-57, Norton Twp., two miles west of Lankin. The post office was established February 5, 1883, with Thomas H. Woods, Postmaster, who named it for his home town of Galt, Ontario, Canada, which was named for John Galt, a politician and friend of town founder, William Dickson. The post office moved twice within this general area before closing May 21, 1892, the date a new post office called NORTON began operations. (2,3,10,18,40,75,356)(pg 72)
Founded: 1880
Post Office Established: October 18, 1880
Postmaster: Knute P. Levang (1851-1919) at his home 1 mile north of the town site
Post Office Closed: May 21, 1886 with mail to Vesta
GARFIELD: This pioneer settlement was founded in 1880 in Sec. 21-157-56, Golden Twp., seven miles west of Park River. It was named for James Abram Garfield, the 1880 Republican candidate for President, who won the election, but was assassinated within a few months after his inauguration. The post office was established October 18, 1880, with Knute P. Levang (1851-1919) as postmaster, at first in his home one mile north of the town site. The little village thrived, at one time having a newspaper, three general stores, a drugstore, two doctors, two hotels, two blacksmiths, two saloons, three land offices, etc., but when the Great Northern RR bypassed the site in 1884, an exodus began to the new town site of Park River on the railroad. The post office closed May 21, 1886, with mail to Vesta, and GARFIELD was soon a ghost town. 2(2,3,18,40) (pg 73).
In the early summer of 1880, a party of Norwegian prospectors came from Iowa, and looked Walsh County over thoroughly. After looking particularly at the Elk Valley, west of Kensington, they returned to Iowa, and sent a large number of their fellow-countrymen out to possess the land. They settled in Township 157, Range 56, and established a post office, which they called Garfield, in honor of a murdered executive. By 1884, the settlement included three stores, two or three dwellings, a blacksmith shop, two saloons and the post office. 1
Post Office Established: September 22, 1899
Postmaster: Geoffrey R.B. Green
Location: Sec. 14-157-59, Dewey Twp., 9 miles west of Adams
Moved to: 2 miles east of Adams to the home of the new postmaster, Lars Dahlgren
Post Office Closed: June 30, 1908
GEOFF: This was a rural post office established September 22, 1899, with Geoffrey R.B. Green as postmaster. It was located in Sec. 14-157-59, Dewey Twp., nine miles west of Adams, and was moved two miles east in 1900 to the home of the new postmaster, Lars Dahlgren. It was given Mr. Green’s nickname. Geoffrey is a Teutonic variant of Godfrey, meaning God’s peace. The post office closed June 30, 1908, with mail to Adams. Goeff is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,19,40,75)(pg74).
Post Office Established: May 20, 1879
Postmaster: Thomas E. Cooper
Location: Secs. 13 & 24-157-53 Grafton Twp. and Secs. 18 & 19-157-52 Oakwood Twp.
Village incorporation: 1881
Became a city: 1903
Elevation: 827 feet
Zip Code: 58237
Peak Population: 5,946 in 1970
(2,000 residents by 1883)
GRAFTON: The post office was established May 20, 1879, with Thomas E. Cooper as postmaster. By 1883 the city claimed to have 2,000 residents. It is located in Secs. 13 & 24-157-53, Grafton Twp., and Secs. 18 & 19-157-52, Oakwood Twp., and was designated as county seat of Walsh County in 1881, the year it incorporated as a village. It was reached by both the Northern Pacific RR and the Great Northern RR. Mr. Cooper named it for his wife’s home of Grafton County, New Hampshire, which was named for Augustus Henry FitzRoy, third Duke of Grafton (1735-1811). Folklore says that Mr. Cooper planned to raise fruit in the area by grafting on branches, and coined the term “graft-on.” The village became a city in 1883, with Stewart Cairncross as mayor, and the State Institute for the Feebleminded was founded here in 1903, with Dr. L. B. Baldwin as Superintendent. The elevation is 827 feet, the Zip Code is 58237, and a peak population of 5,946 was recorded in 1970. 2 (11,2,10,18,25,40,45,75,79) (Pg 78).
The city of Grafton was settled in the spring of 1879, by Thomas E. Cooper, who came from Goodhue County, Minnesota. At that time the land had not been surveyed, and he had only squatter’s right. Shortly following him came Mr. Nils Monson and Mr. Gus. Colson, who squatted on claims adjoining his on the west. Mr. Cooper built a small hotel, and from the first, anticipated that there would be a town at this point, for he felt, as he expressed it, that “nature never make a mistake”. In June, 1879, Mr Cooper was appointed Postmaster and the office was named Grafton. He assigned the fact that he considered this a “graft on ” the civilized world, as his reason for the name. In 1880, Mr. T. A. Beer opened a general store there that was situated on the bank of the Park River. He was soon joined by a blacksmith named Valk, and to the business of the settlement was soon added the store of H.J. Roholt. The only addition to the hamlet that year was Mr. W. Chandler (who eventually became the second Postmaster) who also opened a general store. In the spring of 1881 Mr. Cooper proved upon his claim and received the title from the government. The following July he sold 110 acres of this land to Comstock & White, of Moorhead, Minnesota, who also bought 210 acres from Mr. Colson and Mr. Monson. The town site was platted, and on August 31, 1881, Mr. J. A. Delaney, as their agent, commenced the sale of lots.
Official Website: grafton.govoffice.com
Grafton, ND: State Institute for the Feeble-minded, 1910s
The first sale was to F. F. Walker & Co. It consisted of six lots, for which the consideration was $1000. Immediately succeeding the commencement of the sale of lots, Mr. Chandler moved up from the river bank to the site of the present city. The railroad had not yet been completed to the the town, and all lumber and merchandise had to be hauled several miles. Despite these disadvantages, however, several gentlemen commenced the erection of business buildings, first among whom were Stuart Cairncross, William Pearson, and E. F. Chase. Mr Cairncross built a store, Mr. Pearson built a saloon, and E. F. Chase & Co. erected an elevator with a capacity of about 20,000 bushels. (Approximately 100,000 bushels of wheat were handled in that year). Rev. Cobleigh, pastor of the Presbyterian Church, built the first private residence at about this time.
The railroad reached Grafton near the close of December, and upon its arrival found a thriving village of some 300 people. The rush continued all winter. The Walsh County Bank commenced business, which was soon followed by the Bank of Grafton. The Grafton News was started by F. M. Winship, and Walsh County Times was started up by H. C. Upham. Schuman & Pierson opened the Sherman House for the accommodation of travelers, and the little settlement grew so rapidly that it was a lively town in a few months. In the spring of 1881, Grafton was incorporated as a village. Several churches, a good school house with 150 students, 8 hotels, 25 mercantile houses, eight agricultural warehouses, and the usual small traders, artisans, and mechanics, and other buildings were constructed by 1884, and a substantial and well built town of 2,000 inhabitants stood, where but three years ago Thomas Cooper had slept under the cover of shawls and coats spread over bushes because there was not a house for miles around. Grafton contained two weekly papers, the Herald and News and Times; seven church organizations, a good school with 150 scholars; eight hotels; twenty-five mercantile houses; eight agricultural warehouses, and the usual small traders, artisans and mechanics.
Grafton, ND: Soldier’s Monument and Walsh County Courthouse, 1900-1920
Grafton, ND: Main Street, 1900s
Grafton, ND: Main Street South, 1930s
Grafton, ND: Main Street North, 1930s
Grafton, ND: Hill Avenue West Side, 1900s
Grafton, ND: Hill Avenue, 1900s
Grafton, ND: Bird’s-eye view of North, 1900s
Grafton, ND: Bird’s-eye view, 1900s
Grafton, ND: Hill Avenue, Flood of 1948
Settled: 1800, a North West Fur Company trading post.
Location: Sec. 36-158-51, Saint Andrews Twp., just above the mouth of the Park River
Alternate Names: Park River Post
HENRY’S POST: This was an alternate name for Park River Post, a short-lived fur trading post built in 1800 by Alexander Henry (1739-1824) of the North West Fur Company. Mr. Henry was one of the major figures in the fur trading business from the Great lakes to the Rocky Mountains. It was located in Sec. 36-158-51, Saint Andrew Twp., just above the mouth of the Park River. A replica of this post is on display at the Interstate 29 rest area just north of Grafton. (2,3,5,75) (pg 89)
Post Office Established: October 24, 1895
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51
Township: Saint Andrews Twp.
Other Names: Elora, New Saint Andrews, Saint Andrews Station
“HERRICK began as a railroad station for the Northern Pacific named NEW SAINT ANDREWS. Constructed in 1887, it was located in NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, four miles NW of the Red River Port of Saint Andrews. In 1893 it adopted the name SAINT ANDREWS STATION, with William Sell as postmaster. On October 24, 1895, a post office named ELORA was operated there. The post office was named for Elora Jennings, the daughter of James Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived northwest of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning “light.” The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. After it closed, the NPRR officials renamed the station HERRICK, for Frank and Job Herrick, who had settled here in 1870. Two elevators were at this site for many years, one operated by John C. Stewart (1857-1948), who came here in 1900.”2
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885.
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
ELORA: This post office was established October 24, 1885, with William Sell pm. It was located in the NW1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, Saint Andrew Twp., serving the North Pacific Railroad station called SAINT ANDREWS STATION, which had been built in 1887 and at first called NEW SAINT ANDREWS. The post office was named for Elora Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived NW of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning light. The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. At this time the Northern Pacific Railroad renamed the station HERRICK. (2, 3, 19, 40, 75)(pg 57)
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
Settlement Established: Great Northern Railroad station built in 1886
Location: SE ¼ Sec. 1-156-53, Walsh Centre Twp., 5 miles SE of Grafton
HERRIOTT: This was a Great Northern RR station built in 1886 in SE ¼ Sec. 1-156-53, Walsh Centre Twp., five miles SE of Grafton. It was named for William Herriott, a grain buyer who moved to the site in 1896 after the original elevator was destroyed by fire. He built a new, smaller elevator here, operating it until 1915. It still exists, having been operated since 1923 by William H. Gorder and his descendants. 2 (1,2,18,75) (Pg 90).
Hoople, ND, Spud Season 1921
Town Site Founded: 1890
Location: SW ¼ Sec. 5-158-54, Glenwood Twp.
Post Office Established: January 7, 1890
Postmaster: Merrit B. Bronson
Village Incorporated: 1898
Peak Population: 447 in 1950
Elevation: 903 feet
Zip Code: 58243
HOOPLE: This Great Northern RR town site was founded in 1890 in SW ¼ Sec. 5-158-54, Glenwood Twp., and named for Allan Hoople (1849-1923), who owned the town site and operated a drug store. The post office was established January 7, 1890, with Merrit B. Bronson as postmaster. The elevation is 903 feet, the Zip Code is 58243, and the village, which incorporated in 1898, reached a peak population of 447 in 1950. Lynn J. Frazier (Governor of North Dakota from 1917-1921, and a U.S. Senator from 1923-1940) was a native and long-time resident of Hoople, which is known as “The Potato Capital of North Dakota. 2(1,2,3,18,33,40,75,391) (Pg 92).
Glenwood School #67, Hoople, ND, 1899
Glenwood School, near Hoople, ND, 1899
Settlement Established: Northern Pacific Railroad Station
Post Office Established: January 15, 1898
Postmaster: Frank J. Votava
Location: NE ¼ Sec. 3-156-53, Walsh Centre Twp., about 4 miles SSW of Grafton
Post Office Closed: June 5, 1910 with mail to Grafton
KELLOGG: This was a Northern Pacific RR station in NE ¼ Sec. 3-156-53, Walsh Centre Twp., about four miles SSW of Grafton, named for H.C. Kellogg, a pioneer settler from Plainfield, Wisconsin. The post office was established January 15, 1898, with Frank J. Votava, postmaster, and closed June 5, 1910, with mail to Grafton. 2 (1,2,18,40,75,79) (pg 100)
Population (2010 Census): 67
Peak Population: 400 in 1881
Total Area: 0.3 square miles
Founded: 1871
Location: NW1/4 Sec. 25-157-51
Township: Acton
Other Names: Kelly’s Point, Kelley’s Point is an erroneous spelling.
“Jacob Reinhart and Antoine Gerrard first explored what has since become Walsh County, in the year 1866. They returned to McCauleyville, Minnesota, and when Carpenter & Blaikie commenced running their stage, Mr Reinhart drove one of them. In 1877, he and Mr Gerrard settled down on land near Acton, which was then called Kelly’s Point, and was in Grand Forks County. Mr Gerrard was appointed Postmaster, and Mr Reinhart was his deputy. Mr Reinhart opened a store in 1877, and Mr Gerrard kept a tavern.” 1
“Postmaster Antoine Girard changed the name to Acton on May 27, 1879, commemorating his home town of Acton, Ontario, Canada, which was named for Acton, Middlesex, England, a suburb of London, that had its greatest fame during the Oliver Cromwell regime in the 1600’s.” 2
“The Settlement was augmented by the arrival of Mr B. S. Kelly and his family, from whom it took its original name. Three or four saloons were opened. In 1879 Mr Wm. Budge opened a store and for a time it bid fair to be quite a town, but in the year 1881, the railroad entered the county twelve miles distant, and business and people followed it. By 1884, the settlement consisted of the tavern of E. F. Schumann, the store of John Bouldic, and the post office, of which Antoine Gerrard, who was still postmaster. 2
The village of Acton published a weekly newspaper, “The Acton News,” edited by Frank M. Winship. It was chosen as the first official newspaper for Walsh County. Volume 1, no. 1, was printed on May 26, 1881. The last volume (Volume 1, no. 17) was printed on September 15, 1881, after which it was continued by the “Grafton News.” 1
“It is said that the town had a population of over 400 in 1881, but when it was bypassed by the railroad, it declined rapidly, with an 1890 population of just 25. In 1913 the post office moved across the section line to NE 1/4 Sec. 26-157-51, the home of the new postmaster, Emil Hoenke, but operated here only until September 30, 1913, when mail went to Fork, MN.” 2
Population (2010): 23
Post Office Established: January 12, 1885
Location: NE 1/4 Sec. 23-155-55
Township: Eden Twp.
Area: 0.2 square miles (all land)
Incorporation: 1895
Peak Population: 228 in 1890
Other Names: Eden and Kelner
Elevation: 993 ft.
Zip Code: 58232
Conway, North Dakota, public school, 1910s
CONWAY. This was originally EDEN, a pioneer settlement founded in 1882 in the NE 1/4 sec. 23-155-55, Eden Twp. It failed to develop, but in 1884 a Great Northern Railroad Station was built there, and a farm post office called KELNER was established at the site. The following year, on January 12, 1885, it was renamed CONWAY when postmaster Norman Kelner adopted the new name. A farm post office named Conway, about two miles to the north, had operated for twenty-seven days in late 1884, and may have had some influence in the naming of the station. The village incorporated in 1895 and reached a peak population of 228 in 1890, with a decline to just 33 in 1980. The elevation is 993, and the Zip Code is 58232. Since October 27, 1961, the post office has been a rural branch of Fordville. Lloyd Bennett Omdahl, a former Tax Commissioner and ND Lt. Governor (1987) was born here in 1931. Kilner is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,3,18,40,75) (pg 101)
Web Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Conway,_North_Dakota
http://ghostsofnorthdakota.com
Conway, North Dakota, public school, 1910s
Coming Soon!
Settlement: A Great Northern Railroad Station founded in 1881
Township: Ardoch Township
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 33-155-52, platted as CLARE
Name Changed: Ardoch, February 27, 1882
Alternate Names: Ardoch and Clare
KIMBALL: See Ardoch. This Great Northern Railroad station founded in 1881 in NW ¼ Sec. 33-155-52, Ardoch Twp., was platted as CLARE, but was generally called KIMBALL by the first settlers. The origin of the name is unknown, and when it was found to be duplicated by a town in what is now South Dakota, the name was officially changed to ARDOCH on February 27, 1882. 2 (2,3,75) (pg 103).
Post Office Established: February 13, 1886
Postmaster: John N. McDaniels
Township: Kinloss Township
Location: Sec. 3-158-59, 4 miles NE of Fairdale (rural country store)
Post Office Closed: February 12, 1887 with mail to Gertrude
Post Office Reopened: August 25, 1887, new site 2 miles west.
Post Office Finally Closed: September 27, 1905 with mail going to Fairdale
KINLOSS: This was a rural post office established February 13, 1886, with John N. McDaniels, Postmaster. It was located in the country store operated by John Fauchner in Sec. 3-158-59, Kinloss Twp., four miles NE of Fairdale, and closed February 12, 1887, with mail to Gertrude. Mr. Fauchner named it for his birthplace of Kinloss, Ontario, Canada, which was named for Kinloss, Moray, Scotland. It reopened August 25, 1887, at a new site two miles to the west, and after a couple more moves in this general area, closed for good September 27, 1905, with mail going to the new town site of Fairdale. 2 (2,3,25,40)(pg 103).
Post Office Established: February 13, 1886
Postmaster: Robert Vernon
Township: Perth Township
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 22-155-58, 8 miles SW of Lankin
Post Office Moved: SE ¼ Sec. 2-155-58 4 miles NNE to the home of the new postmaster, Joseph Bosh (1858-1930)
Post Office Closed: May 31, 1907 with mail to Lankin
LAMBERT: This was a rural post office established February 13, 1886, with Robert Vernon as postmaster. It was located in NW ¼ Sec. 22-155-58, Perth Twp., eight miles SW of Lankin, and was said to have been named for Louis A. Lambert, a famous Roman Catholic priest of the time who founded the Catholic Times magazine in 1874. Lambert is a Teutonic name meaning literally “land bright.” It is interpreted as glory of his country. In 1895 it was moved four miles NNE to the home of new postmaster, Joseph Bosh (1858-1930), who also ran a blacksmith shop at this site in SE ¼ Sec. 2-155-58. The post office closed May 31, 1907, with mail to Lankin. 2 (2,3,5,19, 25, 40, 75) (pg 109)
Founded: Pioneer settlement, 1979
Township: Lampton Township
Location: Sec. 12-158-56, 3 miles NE of Edinburg.
Post Office Established: January 9, 1882
Postmaster: George Michi
Post Office Closed: December 14, 1887
LAMPTON: This was a pioneer settlement founded by George Michi in 1879 in Sec. 12-158-56, Lampton Twp., three miles NE of Edinburg. The post office was established January 9, 1882, with Mr. Michi as postmaster, and closed December 14, 1887, with mail to Edinburg. It was named for its township, which is said to have been named for William James Lampton, a popular newspaper columnist of the time. 2 (2,3,5,25,40,75) (pg 108).
LAMPTON was situated in Township 158, Range 56. In the fall of 1881, Nels Anderson, Ole J. Balstadt, George Mickey and Bolton Cunningham settled this town, and at that time their houses were the farthest west of any in the Red River Valley. A post office was established in 1881 and George Mickey was appointed Postmaster. 1
Lankin, ND: Public School, 1900s
Founded: Soo Line Railroad town site, 1904
Township: Norton Township
Location: SW ¼ Sec. 24-156-57
Post Office Established: YOUNG post office moved to Lankin on July 17, 1905
Postmaster: John Matejcek
Incorporated: Village 1980.
Peak Population: 341 in 1910
Zip Code: 58250
LANKIN: This Soo Line RR town site was founded in 1904 in SW ¼ Sec. 24-156-57, Norton Twp., and named for town site owner James Lankin. The YOUNG post office moved to Lankin on July 17, 1905, with John Matejcek continuing as postmaster. The Zip Code is 58250, and the village, which incorporated in 1980, reached a peak population of 341 in 1910. Among the town’s residents were Jack McDonald, a trumpet player with John Philip Sousa’s famous band, and Herman Witasek, a member of Lankin’s 1930 State Class C High School basketball champions, who is considered to be North Dakota’s first professional player of that sport. 2 (1,2,3,18,33, 40,52,75,79) (pg 109)
Lankin Sherek’s Bar Token
Lankin Sts Peter and Paul Bechyne Chapel
Post Office Established: February 18, 1884
Postmaster: John Lennon
Township: Latona Township
Location: SW ¼ Sec. 9-156-58, 7 miles south of Adams
Post Office Moved: 1905 to SE ¼ Sec. 17-156-58, 1 mile SSW, home of new postmaster George McIntyre
Post Office Closed: May 31, 1908 with mail to Adams
LATONA: This was a farm post office established February 18, 1884, with John Lennon as postmaster. It was located in SW ¼ Sec. 9-156-58, Latona Twp., seven miles south of Adams, and named for its township, which was named for Latona, Ontario, Canada. The name is derived from Leto, a Greek mythological goddess and the mother of the sun god, Apollo and the moon goddess, Diana. In 1905 the post office moved one mile SSW to SE ¼ Sec. 17-156-58, the home of new postmaster George McIntyre, and closed May 31, 1908, with mail to Adams. 2 (2,5,18,19,40,75) (pg 110)
Post Office Established: November 16, 1896
Postmaster: Louis Swenson
Township: Shepherd Township
Location: Nw ¼ Sec. 11-156-59, 8 miles SW of Adams
Post Office Closed: January 31, 1914 with mail to Adams
LINSTAD: This was a rural post office established November 16, 1896, with Louis Swenson as postmaster. It was located in NW ¼ Sec. 11-156-59, Shepherd Twp., eight miles SW of Adams on the west bank of the Forest River. It was named for Ole Linstad, a pioneer settler in the area, and closed January 31, 1914, with mail to Adams. 2 (1,2,18,40,53,75) (pg 114).
Post Office Established: June 12, 1900, Rural
Postmaster: Frank Kvasnicka
Township: Sauter Township
Location: NE ¼ Sec. 3-155-59, 11 miles SW of Adams
Post Office Closed: October 4, 1905 with mail to Lawton.
LOMICE: This was a rural post office established June 12, 1900, with Frank Kvasnicka as postmaster, and named for Lomnice, Bohemia, the home town of many area settlers, with a slight change in the spelling. It was located in NE ¼ Sec. 3-155-59, Sauter Twp., eleven miles SW of Adams. The post office closed October 4, 1905, with mail to Lawton. In 1937, St. Catherine’s Catholic Church was built at this site. 2 (2,40,75) (pg 116).
Post Office Established: August 9, 1880 (Farm)
Postmaster: Ole A. Moe
Township: Dundee Township
Location: SW ¼ Sec. 10-158-55, 4 miles WSW of Hoople
Post Office Closed: December 20, 1880 with mail to Mount View
LOUREN: This was a farm post office established August 9, 1880, with Ole A. Moe as postmaster. It was located in SW ¼ Sec. 10-158-55, Dundee Twp., four miles WSW of Hoople and closed December 20, 1880, with mail to Mount View. The origin of the name is unknown. Lowren is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,3,40,415), (pg 116).
Post Office Established: July 22, 1893 (small inland settlement)
Postmaster: Ole H. Wig
Township: Fertile Township
Location: Sec. 15-157-54, 9 miles west of Grafton
Post Office Closed: February 28, 1903 with mail to Grafton
Post Office Reopened: May 21, 1903
Post Office Finally Closed: June 10, 1904 with mail to park River
Peak Population: 20 in 1920
MANDT: This was a small inland settlement in Sec. 15-157-54, Fertile Twp., nine miles west of Grafton. The post office was established July 22, 1893, with Ole H. Wig as postmaster. He named it for Peter Mandt, owner of the store in which the post office was located. Ed Herwick was a pioneer merchant at this site. The post office closed February 28, 1903, with mail to Grafton. It reopened May 21, 1903, but closed for good June 10, 1904, with mail to Park River. A population of 20 was reported in MANDT as late as 1920. Harvey Tallackson, a state senator and Grafton businessman, was born here. 2 (1,2,3,18,40,75) (pg 120)
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See “Fordville”
Post Office Established: November 2, 1881
Postmaster: Sherburn S. Worthing
Township: Medford Township
First Location: SE ¼ Sec. 26-155-56
Second Location: 1895, SW ¼ 22-155-56, 2 miles NNW
Third Location: 1905, SW ¼ Sec. 25-155-56, to Soo Line Railroad tracks
Townsite Platted: August 23, 1905
Other Names: Fordville, officially changed on July 1, 1910
MEDFORD: (See Fordville). This post office was established November 2, 1881, with Sherburn S. Worthing as postmaster. It was located in SE ¼ Sec. 26-155-56, Medford Twp., where a small village began to form around the general store run by Bertram W. Carpenter. This post office moved two miles NNW in 1895 to SW ¼ 22-155-56, and in 1905 moved to the Soo Line RR tracks in SW ¼ Sec. 25-155-56, where a town site was platted August 23, 1905. Some say the name came from Medford, Wisconsin, the home of local settlers, which was named for Medford, Massachusetts, which has an English place name meaning the middle ford. Others say Mr. Worthing named it for his home town of Medford, Minnesota, which was named by William K. Colling for the ship he sailed on when coming to America. Mr. Worthing had submitted a number of names to postal officials in 1881, with a notation that his preference was Sanbornton, but every name on his list was rejected in favor of MEDFORD. The name was officially changed to FORDVILLE on July 1, 1910, although the post office had already made the change on May 21, 1910. 2 (1,2,3,10,13,25,40,70,75,254,294) (pg 126).
MEDFORD was located in Township 155, Range 56, and was settled by J. B. Sanborn, in the spring of 1879. When Mr. Sanborn homesteaded there, his nearest neighbor was more than ten mile away. He was there alone for a year, when he was joined by Mr. Kellogg and Mr. Worthing. Mr Worthing was appointed Postmaster in 1880. During the summer of that year a blacksmith shop was opened, and Mr Carpenter opened a general merchandise store. In the summer of 1883, Mr William H. Mitchell established the “Medford Messenger,” a five-column weekly paper. By 1884, the surrounding country was all settled up, and the mercantile business was well supported. 1
Minto, ND: Residence street, 1910s
Post Office Established: March 15, 1880 (a GNRR townsite)
Postmaster: John Ogilvie Brown
Township: Harriston Township
Location: Sec. 31-156-52
Elevation: 820 Feet
Village Incorporated: 1883
Became a City: 1903
Peak Population: 701 in 1910
Zip Code: 58261
MINTO: This Great Northern Railroad town site was founded in 1880 in Sec. 31-156-52, Harriston Twp., and named for either Minto, Wellington County, Ontario, or Hamilton, Minto County, Ontario. Both Canadian place names are for Gilbert Elliott, 3rd Baronet of Minto (1722-1777), an early Governor-General of Canada who was a staunch supporter of the British cause in the American Revolution. The post office was established March 15, 1880, with John Ogilvie Brown as postmaster. The elevation is 820 feet, the Zip Code is 58261, and the village, which incorporated in 1883 and became a city in 1903, reached a peak population of 701 in 1910. 2 (1,2,3,18,25,33,40,45,52,75,79).
Minto, ND: Residence street, 1910s
Minto, ND: Public school, main stairway
Minto, ND: Bird’s-eye view, 1920-35
Minto, ND: Opera House, 1900s
Minto, ND: Walsh County Historical Museum, 1990s
Minto, ND: Public school, main stairway
Minto, ND: Walsh County Historical Museum, 1995-2000
Minto was one of the earliest settlements in Walsh County. The land upon which the village is located was bought from Mr. James Wilson by Messrs. Comstock & White, town site proprietors of Moorhead, Minnesota. In 1881, the year in which the town was laid out, the settlement included a sawmill owned and operated by J. W. Major, who also kept a tavern, as well as a general store kept by Zulsdorf Bros. The St. Paul, Minneapolis & Manitoba Railway reached the place in the fall of 1881, and there was a great influx people and of business. The winter of 1881 was one of marked activity. The Forest River Bank was organized, and the Forest River Journal was established. Fifteen or twenty general stores were opened, and the forsaken prairie assumed the bustle and activity of a thriving village of some 500 people. In the fall of 1882, the Forest River Bank was chartered as a territorial bank, with P. B. Broughton as vice-president and H. Ammerland, cashier, and paid up capital of $30,000. During the summer of 1882, Pillsbury & Hulburt, of Minneapolis, erected an elevator with a capacity of 40,000. J. H. Townshend & Co., and E. F. Chase also erected elevators. By 1884, Minto had a good school house, two churches, and plans for a Territorial Normal School. The country around Minto was among the most fertile, and earliest settled section of the county, and a large amount of wheat was handled annually.
Minto, ND: Opera House, 1900s
Knox Presbyterian Church, Minto, ND, 1908
Township: Grafton Township
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 12-157-53
MORDEN JUNCTION: This was a Great Northern Railroad station in SE ¼ Sec. 12-157-53, Grafton Twp., just north of Grafton, where the branch line to Walhalla leaves the line to Neche. The Walhalla line was extended into Canada in 1907, with its terminus at Morden, Manitoba, hence the name. 2 (1,3,75) (pg 132)
Type: Pioneer Settlement
Township: Dundee Township
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 23-158-55
Post Office Established: August 2, 1880
Postmaster: Perry G. Ewart
Post Office Closed: March 11, 1884 with mail to Grafton
Other Names: Mountain View (erroneous spelling)
MOUNT VIEW: This was a pioneer settlement of immigrants from Scotland in SE ¼ Sec. 23-158-55, Dundee Twp., two miles WSW of Hoople. The name notes its location on the rim, or shore, of ancient Lake Agassiz. The post office was established August 2, 1880, with Perry G. Ewart, postmaster, and closed March 11, 1884, with mail to Grafton. Mountain View is an erroneous spelling. 2 (2,3,25,40,75,392) pg 133.
Type: Railroad Station built in 1890
Township: Farmington Township
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 30-158-53
Post Office Established: July 11, 1891
Postmaster: Charles Hanson
Zip Code: 58264
Peak Population: 55 in 1940
NASH: This is a Great Northern Railroad loading station built in 1890 in SE ¼ Sec. 30-158-53, Farmington Twp., six miles NW of Grafton. The post office was established July 11, 1891, with Charles Hanson as postmaster. The Zip Code is 58264, and a peak population of 55 was recorded in 1940. It was named for the Nash brothers, pioneer settlers in the area, who later established a fruit store in Grafton, and a wholesale grocery business in Grand Forks, which evolved into the Nash-Fiinch Company. 2 (1,2,18,39,40,75,79). Pg 135
Taken from “Walsh Heritage,” Vol 1, pgs 49-50
The community of Nash began as the small settlement of Sweden. William McKenzie, pioneer settler and attorney, was Sweden’s first postmaster. John Almen built a store at Sweden April 28, 1879, and the mail was distributed there, so he was the next postmaster. When the railroad built the line to Walhalla in 1890, Nash was established. Andrew Moen built a store there in 1891, but sold it to Hanson and Bakke July 11, 1891. The post office was located in this building, so Charles Hanson became postmaster. Charles Hanson served July 11, 1891, to March 22, 1908. Henry Larson served March 23, 1908, to April 15, 1918. Alfred Johnson served from April 16, 1918, to October 31, 1920. Monsebroten Bros. (Gus and Otto) served from November 1, 1920, to December 31, 1921. Oscar Monsebroten served from January 1, 1922, to October 31, 1926. Adolph Berger served from November 1, 1926 to April 2, 1928.
Fire demolished this store on April 2, 1928. The post office was moved to a residence where Gina Johnson served from April 3, 1928, to January 31, 1929. T. G. Thompson served from February 1, 1929, to April 17, 1932. Greta Rustan served from April 18, 1932, to August 31, 1934. Henry Monson then built a new store which was opened September 1, 1934, and the post office was again located in the store.
Thorvold Sorenson, the village blacksmith, who was a former pupil of Ole Bull, the Norwegian violin virtuoso and composer, gave the young men in the vicinity violin lessons. H. M. Hanson and Soren Sorenson played first violin, Conrad Dahl and Wallace Burrows played second violin, and John Larson played bass.
A recreation hall was built soon after Nash was established. Dances were held there, and it was also used by the Woodmen Lodge. A feed mill was built and operated by Mr. Bloom. Three elevators were built: St. Anthony, with Fred Stunkel as manager; National, with James Gallagher manager, and the Monarch elevator. The Monarch Elevator was purchased March 17, 1916, by a group of progressive farmers for $6,000. On ?? 20, 1916, a charter was issued to what is now known as the Nash Grain and Trading Co. The original Board of Directors included Albert Midgarden President; John Donnelly vice president; K. A. Thorsen secretary-treasurer; Donald Dike director; and J. H. Rutherford director. The managers were Albert Thompson, 1916-1919; Sever Nelson 1919-1921; Nels Walland 1921-1922 and Con Lillegard 1922-1937.
The potato industry became a major project in the Nash vicinity, and in 1916 the first potato warehouse was built. In later years several others were added. Joe Thompson, who lived in the vicinity, started buying potatoes in 1919.
Nash was named after the two Nash brothers who were local residents and who opened a fruit store in Park River and were also wholesalers in Grand Forks and later to become known as the Nash Finch Company.
Farmington School District 51 (also known as the Nash North Dakota School), was built in 1882. A typical day began at 9 0’clock in the morning and closed at 4 o’clock in the evening with a one-hour lunch at noon and 15-minute recess breaks in the morning and afternoon. The teacher in 1890, Miss Ella Parkins, was her own janitor and received a salary of 35 dollars a month, paying 15 dollars for room and board. The school records were vague in the beginning, but two of the first teachers were Miss Omlie and Miss Scott. School sessions were held during the summer months then, due to the severity of the weather, also held during the winter months. Teachers in the following years were: Ella Parkins 1892; Maggie Baggott 1893; Mary Gargan 1894; Maggie Baggott 1895; Maggie Ferguson 1896; Hilda Bakke 1897; Lucy Blades 1898; Clara Dahl 1899; Maggie Baggott 1900; Clara Dahl 1901; Annie Blades 1902; J. A. McCormick 1903; Bertha Newlander 1904; R. E. Finkle 1905; Emma Severson 1906; Florence Blades 1907; Edna Ilstad 1908; Evelyn Davis 1909; Julia Johnson 1910-12; Stella Tollackson 1913; Victor Dahl 1914; Ruth Nelson 1915; Cora Larson 1916; Julia John 1917; Agnes Dahl 1918-19; Lillian Monsebroten 1920-21; Emma Monson 1922; Lillian Monsebroten 1923; Verna Larson 1924; Ila Rutherford 1925; Verna Dahl 1926; Lillian Monsebroten 1927; Verna Dahl 1929; and Alpha Dahl 1930.
Walsh County Superintendents were: 1881-93, Dr. R. M. Evans; 1893-97, A. L. Woods; 1897-1903, Ben Tronslin; 1903-07, Jacob Sondreal; 1907-11, B. B. Wells; 1911-17, Edward Erickson; 1917-25, W. J. Hoover and 1925-33, Ben Rinde.
Type: Railroad Station built in 1887
Township: Saint Andrews Township
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51
Other Names: Saint Andrews Station, Elora, and Herrick
NEW SAINT ANDREWS: This was a Northern Pacific Railroad station in NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51, Saint Andrews Twp., four miles NW of the Red River port of Saint Andrew, for which it was named. It was built in 1887, and about 1893 the name was changed to SAINT ANDREWS STATION. A post office operated here 1985-1903, using the name ELORA, after which the site was renamed HERRICK. 2 (2,3,34,40,75) (pg 139).
Type: Town Site
Township: Harriston Township
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 25-156-52
Post Office Established: June 30, 1894
NEW WARSAW: This town site was platted in SE ¼ Sec. 25-156-52, Harriston Twp., and named by Anton L. Gudajtes for the capital city of Poland, his homeland. Because the government did not accept two-word names at this time, the post office was established June 30, 1894 as WARSAW. 2 (2,3,18,40,75)(pg 138).
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Type: Farm Post Office
Township: Cleveland Township
Post Office Established: April 12, 1900
Postmaster: Lewis L. Anderson
Post Office Closed: December 15, 1905, with mail to Petersburg
NORD: This was a farm post office established April 12, 1900, with Lewis L. Anderson as postmaster. It was located in SE ¼ Sec. 32-155-57, Cleveland Twp., eight miles SSW of Lankin on the border of Nelson County. The area was settled by Norwegians, and nord means north in their native language. The post office closed December 15, 1905, with mail to Petersburg. 2 (2,3,18,34,40,75,415)(Pg 140).
Type: Rural Community
Township: Norton Township
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 8-156-57
Post Office Opened: May 21, 1892 (replacing Galt)
Postmaster: Per E. Peterson
Population: 15 in 1920
Post Office Closed: July 30, 1932, with mail to Adams
NORTON: This was a rural community in NW ¼ Sec. 8-156-57, Norton Twp., two miles NW of the Galt post office, which closed on May 20, 1892. The NORTON post office opened May 21, 1892, with Per E. Peterson as postmaster. And took the name of its township, which was named in 1883 with an Anglicized compromise name after the Norwegian settlers could not decide on Nordford or Nordland. A population of 15 was reported in 1920. The post office closed July 30, 1932, with mail to Adams. 2 (1,2,3,18,40,75)(pg 141).
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Oakwood, ND: 1909
Type: Inland Settlement
Township: Oakwood Township
Location: SW 1/4 Sec. 12-157-52
Post Office Established: November 4, 1895
Postmaster: Alex Gagnier
Post Office Closed: April 30, 1924, with mail to Grafton
Peak Population: 55 in 1960
OAKWOOD: This was an inland settlement in SW ¼ Sec. 12-157-52, Oakwood Twp., six miles east of Grafton, and named for its township, which was named to note the many oak trees growing within its boundaries. The post office was established November 4, 1895, with Alex Gagnier as postmaster in his grocery store. The post office closed April 30, 1924, with mail to Grafton, but the settlement survived for many years, reporting a population of 55 as late as 1960. 2 (1,2,3,18,40.75) (pg 143).
Oakwood, ND: St. Aloysius of Gonzaga Academy, 1900s
Type: Red River Crossing Point (1860’s)
Township: Saint Andrew Township
Location: 158-51
First Settled: July 20, 1870
OLD CROSSING: This was a crossing point of the Red River in Saint Andrew Twp. (158-51), about twelve miles ENE of Grafton, and known to pioneers as early as the 1860’s. Job and Frank Herrick settled at OLD CROSSING on July 20, 1870, and many years later were enthusiastic members of the Red River Valley Old Settlers Association. The name OLD CROSSING was coined about the time the nearby town site of Saint Andrew was founded in the late 1870’s. 2 (2,3,75,420) (pg 144).
Type: Soo Line Railroad Station built in 1900’s
Township: Ops Township
Location: SW 1/4 Sec. 21-155-54
Disappeared From Maps: 1950’s
OPS: This was a Soo Line Railroad station built in the early 1900’s in SW ¼ Sec. 21-155-54, Ops Twp., about six miles west of Forest River. It was named for its township, which was named for the Roman goddess of plenty and fertility, who was the wife of Saturn and lived on earth to protect agriculture. Three grain elevators were here in 1910, but the site did not develop beyond that and disappeared from maps in the 1950’s. 2 (1,2,3,5,18,75)(pg 146).
Park River, ND: East side of Briggs Ave., 1909
Type: Great Northern Railroad Town Site
Founded: 1884
Township: Kensington Township
Location: Secs. 21 & 28-157-55
Post Office Established: September 15, 1884
Postmaster: Charles Hatherly Honey
Incorporated as Village: 1884
Became a City: 1896
Elevation: 1003 Feet
Zip Code: 58270
Peak Population: 1,858 in 1980
Park River, ND: East side of Briggs Ave., 1909
Park River, ND: Main Street, 1910s
Park River, ND: Public Fountain, 1910s
PARK RIVER: The Great Northern Railroad town site was founded in 1884 in Secs. 21 & 28-157-55, Kensington Twp., and named to note its location in the Park River. The post office was established September 15, 1884, with Charles Hatherly Honey, Postmaster. It incorporated as a village later that year, and became a city in 1896, with Hiram A. Libby as mayor. The elevation is 1003 feet, the Zip Code is 58270, and a peak population of 1,858 was reached in 1980. Prominent early residents included Roger Allin, the 4th Governor of North Dakota, Samuel Holland (1859-1937), who manufactured automobiles in Park River, and Elizabeth Preston Anderson, an author, and WCTU activist Heber L. Edwards (1897-1962), was born here. 2 (1,2,3,18,25,33,40,75,79,356,414)(pg 150).
Park River, ND: Main Street, 1910s
Park River, ND: Public Fountain, 1910s
Park River Dining Room, 1899
Park River Farm Machinery Deal, 1899
Henry Anderson’s Drug Store, Park River, ND, 1899
Poor House, Park River
Post Card about Park River
Thorson Brothers Store, Park River, 1899
Old Park River Home
Type: Farm Post Office
Township: Fertile Township
Location: SE 1/4 Sec. 9-157-54
Post Office Established: April 7, 1880
Postmaster: Halvor Johnson
Post Office Closed: April 13, 1883, with mail to Grafton
PERRY: This was a farm post office established April 7, 1880, with John T. Daley, postmaster. It was located in SE ¼ Sec. 9-157-54, Fertile Twp., nine miles west of Grafton. Halvor Johnson, who helped secure the post office, named it for his former home of Perry, Wisconsin, which was named for Oliver Hazard Perry (1785-1819), the naval hero of the War of 1812. The post office closed April 13, 1883, with mail to Grafton. 2 (2,40,70,75)(pg 153).
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The land upon which St. Andrews is located was originally settled by Michael McGraw and Charles Finkle in the year 1879, and in 1880 the Red River Transportation Co. laid out the town. L. E. Booker, of St. Vincent, opened the first store. In the summer of 1880 Charles Finkle was appointed Postmaster. The settlement, which is located on the Red River, flourished, and for a time gave promise of being quite a town. But, like Acton, the railway took away the business. By 1884, the only store was kept by Mr William McConnell and the post office was still maintained. 1
1. Transcribed from the Andreas’ Historical Atlas of Dakota, 1884, A. T. Andreas, publisher (Chicago: R. R. Donnelley & sons, The Lake Side Press).
Post Office Established: October 24, 1895
Location: NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51
Township: Saint Andrews Twp.
Other Names: Elora, New Saint Andrews, Saint Andrews Station
“HERRICK began as a railroad station for the Northern Pacific named NEW SAINT ANDREWS. Constructed in 1887, it was located in NW 1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, four miles NW of the Red River Port of Saint Andrews. In 1893 it adopted the name SAINT ANDREWS STATION, with William Sell as postmaster. On October 24, 1895, a post office named ELORA was operated there. The post office was named for Elora Jennings, the daughter of James Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived northwest of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning “light.” The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. After it closed, the NPRR officials renamed the station HERRICK, for Frank and Job Herrick, who had settled here in 1870. Two elevators were at this site for many years, one operated by John C. Stewart (1857-1948), who came here in 1900.”2
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885.
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
ELORA: This post office was established October 24, 1885, with William Sell pm. It was located in the NW1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, Saint Andrew Twp., serving the North Pacific Railroad station called SAINT ANDREWS STATION, which had been built in 1887 and at first called NEW SAINT ANDREWS. The post office was named for Elora Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived NW of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning light. The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. At this time the Northern Pacific Railroad renamed the station HERRICK. (2, 3, 19, 40, 75)(pg 57)
Elora, North Dakota
Established: October 24, 1885
Postmaster: William Sell
Location: NW ¼ Sec. 16-158-51 Saint Andrew Twp.
Closed: January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel
ELORA: This post office was established October 24, 1885, with William Sell as postmaster. It was located in the NW1/4 Sec. 16-158-51, Saint Andrew Twp., serving the North Pacific Railroad station called SAINT ANDREWS STATION, which had been built in 1887 and at first called NEW SAINT ANDREWS. The post office was named for Elora Jennings. She later married George Welch and lived NW of Langdon in Cavalier County. Elora is a Greek name meaning light. The post office closed January 15, 1903, with mail to Cashel. At this time the Northern Pacific Railroad renamed the station HERRICK. (2, 3, 19, 40, 75)(pg 57)
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William McKenzie located upon land in Township 158, Range 54, and built a dwelling house and store in 1879. He was soon joined by A. A. Blekken, who also opened a store. A post office called Sweden was established, of which Mr McKenzie was made Postmaster. 1
1. Transcribed from the Andreas’ Historical Atlas of Dakota, 1884, A. T. Andreas, publisher (Chicago: R. R. Donnelley & sons, The Lake Side Press).
Web link: http://www.history.nd.gov/historicsites/sweden/index.html
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WALSHVILLE was the second settlement in Walsh County. It now consists of the post office and tavern, which are both kept by Augustus Williams, whose family settled there in 1877. 1
1. Transcribed from the Andreas’ Historical Atlas of Dakota, 1884, A. T. Andreas, publisher (Chicago: R. R. Donnelley & sons, The Lake Side Press).
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