North Dakota

North Dakota is a state that nurtures and celebrates its native heritage.
Thomas D. Isern in Pacing Dakota

Located in the northern Great Plains region of the United States, North Dakota was inhabited by various indigenous peoples for centuries before European exploration. The area came under French and later Spanish control, followed by incorporation into the United States through the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. Settlement and development gained momentum with the arrival of railroads in the late 19th century, leading to statehood in 1889. Agriculture, particularly wheat farming, became a cornerstone of the state's economy. Throughout the 20th century, North Dakota experienced economic fluctuations, including the Dust Bowl and the oil boom in the Bakken Formation, impacting its demographic and economic landscape. The state's history is characterized by the resilience of its residents in the face of both challenges and opportunities.
Brief timeline of the history of the state of North Dakota:

  • 10,000 BCE: Paleo-Indian cultures, including the Clovis and Folsom people, inhabit the region that would later become North Dakota.
  • 1738: French traders and explorers, including Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, sieur de La Vérendrye, establish trading posts in the area.
  • 1803: The United States acquires the territory as part of the Louisiana Purchase.
  • 1823: The first trading post in North Dakota, known as Fort Union, is established by the American Fur Company near present-day Williston.
  • 1861: Dakota Territory is organized, encompassing present-day North Dakota and South Dakota, as well as parts of Montana and Wyoming.
  • 1872: The Northern Pacific Railway reaches Bismarck, the future capital of North Dakota, contributing to the state's development and economic growth.
  • 1889: North Dakota becomes the 39th state of the United States.
  • 1890: The Wounded Knee Massacre occurs in present-day South Dakota but has significant implications for Native American tribes in North Dakota as well.
  • 1908: The discovery of oil near Tioga leads to an oil boom in North Dakota, transforming the state's economy.
  • 1919: The Nonpartisan League, a political organization advocating for farmers' rights, gains prominence in North Dakota, leading to significant political and economic reforms.
  • 1942: During World War II, the United States Air Force establishes air bases in North Dakota, including the Minot Air Force Base and the Grand Forks Air Force Base.
  • 1950s: The Garrison Dam is constructed on the Missouri River, creating Lake Sakakawea and providing hydroelectric power and flood control.
  • 1980s: North Dakota experiences an agricultural crisis with falling crop prices and widespread farm foreclosures.
  • 2008: The Bakken Formation, a major shale oil deposit underlying parts of North Dakota, experiences a boom, leading to a surge in oil production and population growth.