I took the scenic route from Bismarck to Medora. I headed northwest through Double Ditch, Fort Mandan, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn, Knife River Indian Villages, Garrison Dam, White Shield, the Three Affiliated Tribes Museum and Crow Flies High Butte in New Town (on the Fort Berthold reservation); then southwest to Watford City and through the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Whew!
In Medora, I wandered through the Theodore Roosevelt National Park Visitor Center, to discover the brand of the family I'm studying prominently displayed next to Roosevelt's ranch brands. There was also a display of a map of the Little Missouri River area that appeared on an endpiece in Hagedorn's Roosevelt in the Badlands, which was drawn by Lincoln Lang (brother to the woman whose letters I'm studying).
My next stop was the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame. The historic ranch "my" family established was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. They have quite a little library in their brand new space, and I found some helpful background information. A Joisey girl like me can't be expected to know everything about ranching!
The Billings County Museum housed a treasure trove of early county record books in it's vault, and the curator was very friendly. The Clerk and Recorder's office also held quite a number of official records (dusty though they were) from the mid-1880's, which was very helpful to my research. Gregor Lang (Sophia's father) was an early-day Billings County commissioner, even though he had to ride 40 miles (one way) to the meetings in Medora.
My tourist stops in and around Medora included: Sully Springs (a Maah Daah Hey trailhead), Theordore Roosevelt National Park, Chateau de Mores, a leaisurely drive down East River road to Amidon, and Buffalo Gap. I was going to visit the site of the original shack at the confluence of the Little Missouri River and the Cannonball Creek, but the snowstorm in South Dakota a few days before my arrival flooded the Little Missouri, and it was both impassible and impossible to visit, (especially on horseback).
Fear not, there was plenty of horse action at my next stopover!
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Monday, May 12, 2008
North Dakota Heritage Center
After being in Bismarck for a little over two weeks, I can honestly say I love North Dakota. There are wide open spaces, friendly people, and good clean fun.
The holdings of the library and archives are incredible, and kept me busy for nine of the ten days I spent there. (The other day was due my inefficiency, not the fault of the collection.) I read manuscripts, poured over historic brand books, read archival newspapers, searched National Archives microfilm for Post Office site applications and volunteer Weather Observer monthly reports, did some online genealogical searching, read and photocopied a number of articles from the North Dakota History journals, etc... (you get the idea)!
In addition to research, I was quite a good tourist; visiting such places as the state capitol grounds (including the exhibits at the Heritage Center), Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (beginning of the Keogh trail, and home to Custer's 7th Cavalry), Camp Hancock, the former governor's mansion, and Fort Yates and Fort Manuel Lisa on the Standing Rock reservation.
My free time was spent riding my bicycle to Mandan (among other places along the Bismarck trail system), visiting Five Nation's Art in the old train depot, attending my first-ever Day Lily Society meeting (really), celebrating Cinqo de Mayo at Fiesta Villa, attending a Japanese tea ceremony, and watching the annual band night parade march right past my rental house (now there's another story).
But alas, all good things must come to an end - and so did my time in the capitol of the great state of North Dakota. Ever onward...
The holdings of the library and archives are incredible, and kept me busy for nine of the ten days I spent there. (The other day was due my inefficiency, not the fault of the collection.) I read manuscripts, poured over historic brand books, read archival newspapers, searched National Archives microfilm for Post Office site applications and volunteer Weather Observer monthly reports, did some online genealogical searching, read and photocopied a number of articles from the North Dakota History journals, etc... (you get the idea)!
In addition to research, I was quite a good tourist; visiting such places as the state capitol grounds (including the exhibits at the Heritage Center), Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park (beginning of the Keogh trail, and home to Custer's 7th Cavalry), Camp Hancock, the former governor's mansion, and Fort Yates and Fort Manuel Lisa on the Standing Rock reservation.
My free time was spent riding my bicycle to Mandan (among other places along the Bismarck trail system), visiting Five Nation's Art in the old train depot, attending my first-ever Day Lily Society meeting (really), celebrating Cinqo de Mayo at Fiesta Villa, attending a Japanese tea ceremony, and watching the annual band night parade march right past my rental house (now there's another story).
But alas, all good things must come to an end - and so did my time in the capitol of the great state of North Dakota. Ever onward...
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Western North Dakota
On my way from Wibaux, MT to Bismarck, ND, I wasn't in any particular hurry. As a matter of fact, Shirley had set helped me set up an appointment with another lovely couple, Paul and Mert Popiel, who run the Golden Valley County Museum in Beach. I visited with them at the museum, pouring through some local histories, and then we went for coffee at the Dairy Queen. I'll be giving them a call on my way back through - they were so helpful and nice!
My next side-trip was to Sentinel Butte. I hoped to find the old railroad depot - and I was just curious about how that town has survived the passing of years. I spoke with the postmaster, whose father used to work on THE ranch (just a fluke of luck), and she has his old brand book. I was referred to another resident and located the foundation of the old depot, which is all that remains.
My biggest obstacle in this research project has been the passage of time - not only one, but two generations have now disappeared. It is a little sad that there is so little historic preservation, but I am thankful for what remains; ultimately, it makes me a better sleuth!
My next side-trip was to Sentinel Butte. I hoped to find the old railroad depot - and I was just curious about how that town has survived the passing of years. I spoke with the postmaster, whose father used to work on THE ranch (just a fluke of luck), and she has his old brand book. I was referred to another resident and located the foundation of the old depot, which is all that remains.
My biggest obstacle in this research project has been the passage of time - not only one, but two generations have now disappeared. It is a little sad that there is so little historic preservation, but I am thankful for what remains; ultimately, it makes me a better sleuth!
Mingusville
Leaving the ranch, I arrived in Wibaux to the comfort of the Nunberg N Heart Ranch B&B, owned by Shirley and Fred Nunberg. They are a wonderful couple, making me feel right at home. I will post a photo of their barn, as their farmstead was just enrolled on the Historic Register.
Shirley is also the assistant librarian at the Wibaux Public Library, and I spent the better part of the next day in their Montana Room, reading through local histories and such; only breaking long enough for some split pea soup (delicious) at the Palace Cafe.
The museum was not offically open yet, but I did meet with the museum director and gathered some information relevant to the Nellie (Cooper) Wibaux (Mingusville)/ Sophia C. Lang (Yule) connection. There was no local newspaper in that era, so I'll have to dig elsewhere.
My only observation of the area is that there is very little difference between far eastern Montana and western North Dakota. As a matter of fact, it is a local call to Beach, ND from Wibaux, but long distance to Glendive, MT. Go figure!
Shirley is also the assistant librarian at the Wibaux Public Library, and I spent the better part of the next day in their Montana Room, reading through local histories and such; only breaking long enough for some split pea soup (delicious) at the Palace Cafe.
The museum was not offically open yet, but I did meet with the museum director and gathered some information relevant to the Nellie (Cooper) Wibaux (Mingusville)/ Sophia C. Lang (Yule) connection. There was no local newspaper in that era, so I'll have to dig elsewhere.
My only observation of the area is that there is very little difference between far eastern Montana and western North Dakota. As a matter of fact, it is a local call to Beach, ND from Wibaux, but long distance to Glendive, MT. Go figure!
THE Ranch!
On my way to Wibaux on April 22, 2008, I finally got the opportunity to visit the ranch! Turning east at the sign to Carlysle on my way north, I drove about 25 miles on red dirt road - and my bike knows it! Along the way, I encountered a herd of antelope, two herds of mule deer; and numerous pheasant went running for cover!
I had a great conversation with the current owners of the old Lang ranch at Yule; and they shared some local history with me, as well as another photograph of the original "new" house, built in 1892. There is only one building of the era left standing (the old storehouse), which has been remodeled into a home.
I was treated to a tour of the ranch headquarters in a Polaris Ranger (a new experience for me, not being raised on a ranch). I took some pictures, trying to capture the same vantage as the photo that is posted on the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame website.
I am deeply indebted to the ranch owners for allowing me to visit the ranch during a busy spring season. Please join me in praying for some rain for the area!
I had a great conversation with the current owners of the old Lang ranch at Yule; and they shared some local history with me, as well as another photograph of the original "new" house, built in 1892. There is only one building of the era left standing (the old storehouse), which has been remodeled into a home.
I was treated to a tour of the ranch headquarters in a Polaris Ranger (a new experience for me, not being raised on a ranch). I took some pictures, trying to capture the same vantage as the photo that is posted on the North Dakota Cowboy Hall of Fame website.
I am deeply indebted to the ranch owners for allowing me to visit the ranch during a busy spring season. Please join me in praying for some rain for the area!
O'Fallon country!
Really - I don't know why I bothered to post the little "quiz." Nobody posted any guesses; but I don't blame you. I post so infrequently (due to limited access on the road) - and it was quite out of the ordinary, considering I usually keep this blog directly related to my sabbatical...
On my way to Baker on Thursday, April 17th, 2008, I actually stopped at Pompey's Pillar. I had never been there before - always seeming to be in too much of a hurry to stop; but it's minutes from the freeway - and a very pastoral (and historical)setting. I saw lots of praitie dogs and some geese (one was actually nesting on the top of the pillar, acting as a sentinel).
When I arrived in Baker, I immediately went to the O'Fallon Museum because the director was so helpful to me via e-mail prior to my visit. Let's just say I hit the jackpot in Baker in terms of photos and biographies of the Lang family (after they left the ranch in Yule, ND). I also used the back issues of the Baker Sentinel, which were housed in the Fallon County Library; found the wills of Janet and William in the Clerk of Court's office, discovered deeds recounting land holdings of the Lang's home and businesses in the Clerk and Recorder's office, and read minutes of the early meetings of the town council from the early 1900's.
While I was in the area, I also visited Ekalaka (the Carter County Museum) and the Medicine Rocks State Park, which is just as an incredibly spititual place today, as it was to the early Indians.
On my way to Baker on Thursday, April 17th, 2008, I actually stopped at Pompey's Pillar. I had never been there before - always seeming to be in too much of a hurry to stop; but it's minutes from the freeway - and a very pastoral (and historical)setting. I saw lots of praitie dogs and some geese (one was actually nesting on the top of the pillar, acting as a sentinel).
When I arrived in Baker, I immediately went to the O'Fallon Museum because the director was so helpful to me via e-mail prior to my visit. Let's just say I hit the jackpot in Baker in terms of photos and biographies of the Lang family (after they left the ranch in Yule, ND). I also used the back issues of the Baker Sentinel, which were housed in the Fallon County Library; found the wills of Janet and William in the Clerk of Court's office, discovered deeds recounting land holdings of the Lang's home and businesses in the Clerk and Recorder's office, and read minutes of the early meetings of the town council from the early 1900's.
While I was in the area, I also visited Ekalaka (the Carter County Museum) and the Medicine Rocks State Park, which is just as an incredibly spititual place today, as it was to the early Indians.
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