53 Interesting Facts About North Dakota

Last updated on February 7th, 2023

43. North Dakota has played host to some famous movies which include Fargo (1995), Dakota (1945), and My Father’s Garden documentary (1996). However, none of the scenes in Fargo was filmed there. Besides, the movie was only loosely based on 2 true events and even these did not occur in North Dakota but Minnesota. But you can find the wood chipper used in that movie on display at Fargo-Moorhead Visitor Center.

44. Fargo, the largest city in the state takes its name from William Fargo, the co-founder of Wells Fargo & Company.^[33]

45. North Dakota is the leading producer of honey in the U.S., followed by South Dakota, California, Montana, and Florida.^[24]

46. Another interesting facts about North Dakota is that that according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, North Dakota has the second-lowest unemployment rate in the U.S. Vermont has the lowest of the pack.^[26]

47. Did you know that Ruso, a hamlet in McLean County, is the least populous incorporated place in North Dakota? The city has a population of four.^[25]

48. The state produces 40 million gallons of milk each year from its 68 licensed dairy herds; and has 29,900 farms across 39.1 million acres. Milk is its official state beverage.^[27]

49. According to the NYtimes.com, North Dakota produces more electricity than is consumed in the state and about half is sent to its neighbours.^[29]

50. After Texas, North Dakota is the country’s second largest oil producing state.^[30]

51. North Dakota’s oil deposits were discovered in 1951 in the farm of Henry O. Bakken. Estimates of the oil reserve in the Bakken Formation range from 3 billion to 400 billion barrels. In 2012, the state was the second largest oil producer in the US. 

Must-See Places in North dakota

Fort Union Trading Post

 

Before the oil fields and modern industries, North Dakota’s economy ran on fur trading. Fort Union was a vital trade post along the Upper Missouri River where Indian Tribes exchanged their buffalo robes with global products like clothes, blankets, beads, and guns. 

 

North Dakota Heritage Center and State Museum

 

Located in Bismarck, this museum offers a wide arrange of experiences for visitors. There are dinosaur skeletons, Mars spacesuits, rare pottery, and thousands of other interesting pieces of history on display. 

 

Chateau de Mores

 

In 1883, the Marquis de Mores arrive in North Dakota and started several businesses. These include a stagecoach line, a beef packing plant, refrigerated railway cars, a freighting company, and a cattle ranch. His 26-room summer residence is now a historic museum. 

 

Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility

 

The Cold War was a tense period for the US as the nuclear threat loomed large. The government built a wide defense system with intercontinental ballistic missiles. One of the remaining sites is the Oscar-Zero Missile Alert Facility in Cooperstown, ND.  

Notable People from North Dakota

Culture in North Dakota

10 largest cities in North Dakota

Fargo

Fargo is the largest city in North Dakota and is located on the Red River of the North which forms the border with Minnesota. With over 125,000 inhabitants it is the largest city in the state. It was founded in 1871 by the Northern Pacific Railway company where the rail line crossed the river.

Bismarck

Bismarck, North Dakota’s capital, is situated on the eastern side of the Missouri river. The city was founded in 1872 and originally named Edwinton (after Edwin L Johnson, a proponent of a transcontinental railway). Its name was changed to Bismarck in 1873 after the German chancellor Otto von Bismarck in a bid to attract investments from that country.

Grand Forks

The city of Grand Forks is located where the Red River of the North and Red Lake rivers meet. It was named by French trappers in the 18th century because of its location. It was permanently settled in 1870 and grew rapidly after 1880 when the Great Northern Railway arrived.

Minot

Minot is another town in North Dakota that owes its origin to the construction of the Great Northern Railway. It was established in 1886 and named in honour of Henry Davis Minot who was a noted investor in railroads. It was nicknamed ‘Magic City’ at the beginning of the 20th century because of its massive growth at the time.

West Fargo

West Fargo, established in 1926, is located 5 miles west of Fargo and is part of the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area. It is notable for having been a Tree City for over 30 years (based on Tree City USA requirements for urban forestry) and has been recognized as a Playful City by the Humana Foundation.

Williston

Williston, founded in 1887, started as an agricultural center but today its economics are driven by development of the oil industry due to its location on the Bakken formation. It is estimated that more than 150 million barrels of oil could be recovered from the shale located there.

Dickinson

Dickinson is notable as one of the fastest growing cities in the United States as a result of the North Dakota oil boom in shale oil. The city is known as ‘Queen City of the Prairies’ and is a gateway to the Theodore Roosevelt National Park and the greater American west.

Mandan

The city of Mandan was named after the indigenous people’s that had historically made the area their home. A Mandan Indian village at Crying Hill was recorded as early as 1738. In the 2010 census over 5% of the city’s inhabitants identified themselves as having Native American heritage.

Jamestown

Jamestown was established in 1871 when the Northern Pacific Railroad established a based where the railroad was to cross the James River. The city was named after Jamestown in Virginia by General Thomas Rosser.

Watford City

Watford City was established in 1914 when enterprising businessmen laid out the townsite and began selling plots within it in anticipation of the arrival of the first Great Northern Railroad train. Many of its inhabitants came from the nearby town of Schafer which subsequently became a ghost town.

About Life in North Dakota

North Dakota has been nicknamed the ‘Legendary State’ because of the unique natural beauty of its prairie wilderness areas. As one of the least populated (and visited) states in the US it is also one of the most beautiful and features prominently in best quality of life rankings. With a strong sense of community and friendly locals it is also regarded as a desirable location for families with young children.

The state is one of the friendliest when it comes to paying tax to Uncle Sam as well, with low income taxes and local and sales taxes at less than 7%. North Dakota boasts some of the lowest unemployment rates in the US and is among the leading states in economic growth. Its main industries are in the areas of agriculture, oil and gas but it is also growing as a destination for manufacturing and technology companies.

North Dakota has a rich German and Norwegian immigrant history that, along with Native American influences, makes for a unique cuisine. While not forgetting mid-western classics such as hotdish and casseroles topped with tater tots, you can also enjoy German meat-filled pastries and potato dumpling soup. The state’s famous fast food chain, Kroll’s Diner, features these and more unique North Dakota treats.

North Dakota has a reputation for brutal weather with snow and cold a prominent feature. The state is reputed to have some of the wildest weather in the US with temperatures ranging from a high of 150F to -42F. During winter the temperature regularly drops below -20F and there can be long periods in the winter months when the temperature remains below freezing.

North Dakota is a place where Native Americans, explorers and immigrants have influenced the state’s history and culture. The Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through there and the state has may museums and historical sites that commemorate its history.

About State flag of North Dakota

1. History

A blue flag with the United States coats of arms was used by North Dakota in the late 19th century. After joining the Union in 1889, the state’s National Guard used a similar design. Colonel John H. Fraine, a veteran in the Philippines war, spearheaded efforts for the flag to be officially recognized as the state’s flag.

On 3rd March 1911, the flag was officially recognized and was adopted on 11th March 1911 by the legislative assembly of the state. The color was not exactly defined at the time. In 1943, legislation was passed to make the flag resemble the original troop banner of the state.

2. Who Designed It

Colonel John H. Fraine designed North Dakota’s flag. He made it to be an exact copy of the flag that was carried by the state’s troop contingent during the Philippine-American war.

3. How & When It Came Into Being

On 21st January 1921, Colonel Fraine who was a state representative at the time, introduced legislation H.B. No. 152 that designated the state flag of North Dakota. According to the legislation, the flag had to conform to the size, form, and color of the flag that was used by the North Dakota Infantry during the Spanish-American War in the Philippines.

4. What Does It Symbolize

North Dakota’s flag has a bald eagle that holds an olive branch; this symbolizes peace. The eagle has a ribbon on its mouth with Latin words that translate into “Many uniting into one.” This refers to the different states uniting into one county.

5. What Are the Colors of the Flag

People want to know about North Dakota flag colors. The background color is blue. The design at the center has several colors including brown, green, red, and gold. The bottom banner is red with a golden border and “North Dakota” is written in white.

North Dakota – Quick facts and state symbols