The Benson County Courthouse, seat of its county's government during all the years of the present century, is architecturally significant for its incorporation of the design principles of the Richardsonian Romanesque style. One of the last major public buildings in North Dakota to express the Picturesque aesthetic of the nineteenth century prior to the onset of Academic Revivalism, the structure has, despite some modifications, retained its original character to a remarkable degree. Unlike some of its contemporaries, it is fortunate in having an apparently secure future since there are no plans for its replacement.
In 1880 no white population was officially listed in the region now known as Benson County in northcentral North Dakota, but settlers began to arrive three years later with the coming of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Benson County, named for B.W. Benson, a Barnes County member of the 1883 legislature of Dakota Territory, was created in 1884 from areas belonging to De Smet and Ramsey Counties. Minnewaukan, designated the county seat, at the beginning of that year boasted a population of less than a score, as well as two land offices, a firm of contractors and builders, a newspaper, the Pacific Hotel, a livery stable, and a saloon. The town was on Section 15, Township 153, Range 67, and had been partially platted by D.L. Wilbur, owner of the section on which it was located. Growing rapidly, despite major fires suffered in 1886 and 1895, Minnewaukan was incorporated in 1898.
Benson County officials first had offices in the town's Arlington Hotel, which was demolished in 1888 and a 1-story courthouse erected on the site. The county subsequently purchased all of block 69 of the original townsite and the present courthouse was constructed in 1900. A 1901 promotional booklet for Minnewaukan acclaimed the newly occupied building:
There are not many counties in North Dakota that can boast of as fine a county building as Benson county, and no people could be prouder of it than the citizens of Minnewaukan. It is 90 feet long by 60 feet wide, and 96 feet to the top of the flag staff. It is solid brick and stone, and is a model in design and finish. All the rooms are furnished with dark oak furniture, while the doors, casings, stairs and finishing is a light oak. The building stands back from the street and the ground around will be improved this summer, and part of it will be broken and cultivated for shade trees, and walks laid out and graveled. The contractors were Lord & Co., who also had the contract for the erection of the new school house, and the building was completed about Feb. 1, 1901, and the officers occupied it about Feb. 7. The cost of the building and furnishings was about $40,000. A view of it appears in the first part of this book.
The change from the old court house ( a view of which is given in our Decoration Day parade), to the new and commodious offices of the new court house, must have been very agreeable to the officials, who had laboured under many disadvantages during past years.
(Minnewaukan Illustrated. Henry T. McPhillips, Publisher. Larimore, N.D.: Pioneer Print, 1901. Not paginated.)
The following county officials presently occupy the courthouse: judge, state attorney, sheriff, register of deeds, treasurer, auditor, superintendent of schools, public health nurse, welfare director, tax equalization director, and agricultural extension agent.
Local significance of the building:
Politics/government; Architecture
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
The National Register of Historic Places
is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the
National Historic Preservation Act of 1966,
the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic
Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and
protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
North Dakota was the first state to have a state-owned flour mill, which was established in 1922. The mill helped to create a stable market for North Dakota wheat and has since become a major supplier of flour to bakeries and food companies across the country.
Benson County, ND has a rich history that dates back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by Native Americans, particularly the Dakota Sioux tribes, who relied on hunting, fishing, and farming for sustenance. European settlers began to arrive in the mid-19th century, with the establishment of military forts and trading posts.
In 1884, Benson County was officially established, named after B.W. Benson, a territorial legislator. The county saw a significant influx of settlers in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, attracted by the promise of free land through the Homestead Act. The agriculture industry boomed, with farmers cultivating wheat, barley, and oats. Towns and villages sprang up, including Maddock, the county seat, and Minnewaukan, the largest community.
However, the county faced several challenges over the years. During the Great Depression of the 1930s, many farmers suffered from drought and financial difficulties. The Dust Bowl also had a severe impact on the region, leading to soil erosion and crop failures. The construction of the Garrison Dam in the 1940s further disrupted the county, as it resulted in the loss of fertile farmland and the relocation of communities.
Despite these challenges, Benson County has adapted and thrived over time. The agriculture industry remains a cornerstone of the economy, although it has diversified to include livestock, dairy farming, and the production of biofuels. The county also boasts beautiful landscapes, with several recreational opportunities in the area, such as fishing, hunting, and boating on nearby lakes.
Today, Benson County continues to honor its history while looking towards the future. Its resilient community and dedication to preserving its agricultural heritage make it a unique and thriving part of North Dakota.