Historical Markers in McKenzie County, North Dakota
Watford City is the county seat for McKenzie County
Adjacent to McKenzie County, North Dakota
Billings County(50) ► Dunn County(3) ► Golden Valley County(2) ► Mountrail County(1) ► Williams County(37) ► Richland County, Montana(3) ► Roosevelt County, Montana(9) ► Wibaux County, Montana(9) ►
Touch name on this list to highlight map location. Touch blue arrow, or on map, to go there.
The Fairview Bridge crossing the Yellowstone River in North Dakota is named after the Montana town of Fairview located five miles west. Although it is considered the only lift span bridge in North Dakota, it has a twin structure located nine miles . . . — — Map (db m162155) HM
For thirty-one years, automobile traffic crossed the Fairview railroad bridge. This was obviously a dangerous situation and accidents did occur, but none involving a train and surprisingly, no deaths were reported. Although a highway bridge has been . . . — — Map (db m162153) HM
The only railroad tunnel in North Dakota is located some 300 feet from the east end of the Fairview Lift Bridge. Locally known as the Cartwright Tunnel, it is named after the town of Cartwright, located about 1 1/ miles east of the tunnel. As . . . — — Map (db m162157) HM
By 1912 the Northern Pacific, Soo, and Milwaukee railroads were in competition. Louis W. Hill, president of the Great Northern, and his father, James J. Hill, knew that a successful farming population on railroad territory was essential to the . . . — — Map (db m162154) HM
Near 121st Avenue North West near State Highway 23, on the left when traveling north.
The Schafer Jail is of native granite stone and concrete construction. It was completed in 1910, and served McKenzie County for 31 years. It was from this jail that Charles Bannon, the confessed murderer of the six members of the Albert E. Haven . . . — — Map (db m162159) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
The large spherical boulders in front of you are called concretions. They may have any shape, but most are round. Concretions are formed within rocks (shale, clay, sandstone, etc.) by the deposition of mineral around a core. More concretions . . . — — Map (db m88650) HM
On Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (U.S. 85), on the right when traveling north.
The colorful and fantastic shapes along these canyon walls are part of an ever-changing landscape. The horizontal layers of multi-colored sandstone, clay and shale are complimented by scattered beds of lignite coal and patches of pastel . . . — — Map (db m85880) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
The blue-black popcorn-like soil that caps the plateau 50 feet below this point is bentonitic clay. Bentonite clays flow when wet. This bluish-colored layer can be traced for miles up and down the river. — — Map (db m88636) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the left when traveling north.
The drought and depression of the 1930’s hit the badlands region hard. Small landowners, no longer able to eke out a living, sold their lands to the government with the hope of finding a new start elsewhere. Throughout the country, men were out of . . . — — Map (db m88634) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
These small boulders are clues to a fascinating story. Geologists believe they were ripped from bedrock 400 miles north in Canada and carried to this point by a great glacier which covered nearly all North America north and east of here. . . . — — Map (db m88638) HM
Near 2nd Avenue Southwest at Main Street South (State Highway 23), on the left when traveling west.
Between 1874 and 1893, millions of head of cattle and horses went up the Great Western Trail from Texas through nine U.S. states into Canada. This famous trail lasted more years, carried more cattle, and was longer than any other cattle trail in . . . — — Map (db m202898) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Abundant grass in North Dakota resulted in cattle being driven in the 1880’s along this trail to the Long X Ranch three miles north of this point. In North Dakota the trail passed through the place that is now the town of New England, then . . . — — Map (db m88651) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the left when traveling north.
Good grass and shelter attracted ranching interests to the badlands. Taking advantage of the void left by the killing of the bison, a Texas trail drive pushed 4,000 head of longhorn cattle into this region in the fall of 1884. Other trail drives . . . — — Map (db m88641) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
Throughout history livestock growing has depended upon abundant grasslands. An unused sea of grass in this region attracted cattlemen who brought large herds here in the early 1880’s. Damage from overstocking and overgrazing brought a quick . . . — — Map (db m88637) HM
The badlands you see here were so named because they were badlands to travel over before modern roads were built. A part of the Northern Great Plains the area has been carved by rain, wind and running water of the Little Missouri River. These layers . . . — — Map (db m96782)
In the spring of 1886 thieves stole Theodore Roosevelt’s boat from his Elkhorn Ranch, 25 miles south of here. Roosevelt pursued the thieves past this point and captured them at the mouth of Cherry Creek about 24 miles downstream. He then . . . — — Map (db m87201) HM
On Scenic Drive, on the right when traveling north.
These tilted mounds were once part of the higher cliffs beyond. Stream cutting against their base over-steepened the cliffs. During wet periods, blocks of earth slid downhill, retaining their original layered sequence. Can you match . . . — — Map (db m88649) HM
On Cedar Canyon Road, aka Scenic Drive near Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (U.S. 85), on the left when traveling west.
Before this land became a national park, this spot was recognized for its dramatic beauty. The area's future was uncertain-would it become a state park? A national park? A recreation area? No one knew yet, but they did known one thing: this view was . . . — — Map (db m162198) HM
On Theodore Roosevelt Expressway (U.S. 85), on the right when traveling north.
In memory of Walter H. Chaloner 1918 – 1933 Near this spot, this pioneer’s son failed in an attempt to jump a washout because of the tie-down on his horse. After five days of searching, he was found alive pinned under his horse. He did not . . . — — Map (db m85879) HM
