There are many ways that our irreplaceable historic architectectural, cultural, and archaeological resources in North Dakota can become "endangered." This list is an advocacy tool that helps draw public attention to these important places and the threats they face, whether its demolition, substantial alteration, or deterioration through neglect and vandalism.

To qualify, a site must be a resource having historic, architectural, cultural, or archaeological significance that is in imminent danger of being lost. Based on the nominations received, the committee selects the top three as the "Most Endangered Places," and uses PND's communications network to advocate for these places. Places selected for the list typically have local grassroots supporters actively working to preserve them.

Nominations may be submitted using the online nomination form and must be received by March 15th.

2011    

Country Schools - Traill County

Country schools of Traill County, in various forms, were in use from Dakota Territory days through the 1960s. Countless children attended these rural community schools in days gone by but changing times now put many school buildings in danger of being lost from the landscape. Sadly, the numbers of schools, in Traill County alone, have dwindled from about seventy structures noted in the 1927 atlas to only five schoolhouses in their original locations today. Each of the five schools has unique building features and conditions range from poor to good.

These schools were surveyed as part of the State Historical Society of North Dakota project to document potentially historic school buildings in the state. They are nominated as “Most Endangered” as examples for a statewide listing of rural schoolhouses, to call attention to the likelihood that many may vanish in the near future. It is hoped that recognition of their plight might spur interest in saving these irreplaceable prairie places.

McLean County Courthouse

In 1908, McLean County constructed a portion of the Romanesque courthouse designed for them by the Hancock Brothers. This original portion was two floors above a full basement, made of brick and sandstone on a cut-stone base. T.F. Powers built this portion of the courthouse. Nine years later, Andrew Person got the job of building the first addition to the building. The 1917 addition on the east end was built from the original plans by the Hancock Brothers and blends nicely with original portion by using the same materials. The modern addition in 1966 departed from the idea of trying to blend with the existing style.

When the courthouse was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, it was one of 46 historic courthouses in North Dakota. A few of these courthouses have been demolished or their government use discontinued.

The idea of a new courthouse in McLean County is not a new one. Ten years ago the county commissioners were moving forward with a plan to build a new courthouse and demolish the old one. Numerous citizens were upset and asked the State Historical Society of North Dakota (SHSND) to invoke North Dakota Century Code 55-02-07, which required the SHSND’s approval for any political subdivision of the state to gain permission from the SHSND Director prior to altering or demolishing an historic building. The issue of building a new courthouse eventually went to the county for a vote in 2001 and the citizens voted against the plan. Later, the county also voted against a major renovation of the existing courthouse.

However, the courthouse has again become threatened after a November 2010 vote in which a county measure was passed to demolish the courthouse and build a new facility in response to health concerns.

Minnewauken, North Dakota

Due to the rising levels of Devils Lake, city, county, state and federal partners are working on plans to remove portions of Minnewaukan to a new site a couple of miles to the northwest. Currently, portions of the town may be able to stay, but other portions of it will have to move including the water tower, utilities and school.

Historic areas of Minnewaukan may or may not be affected; however neighborhoods and the community as a whole will certainly be feeling the effects of the move.