Statehood 1889

North Dakota

North Dakota was first settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago, with Europeans beginning exploration in the 18th century. The region fell under French Louisiana from 1682, passed to Spanish Louisiana following the Seven Years' War in 1762, and briefly reverted to France in 1801 before being sold to the United States in the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. It was organized as part of the Territory of Dakota from 1861 until November 2, 1889, when North Dakota was admitted to the Union as a state. The railroads became the engine of settlement growth, and the economy was heavily based on agricultural products such as wheat, flaxseed, and cattle.

Statehood
1889
Historic sites
489
Military engagements
116

Pre-contact era

North Dakota was first settled by Native Americans several thousand years ago. The first Europeans explored the area in the 18th century, establishing some limited trade with the natives.

Colonial history

The vast French Louisiana was not widely developed, due to a lack of human and financial resources. The area was under French control from 1682 to 1762.

There was little Spanish presence in the wide expanses of what they called the 'Illinois Country'. Spain agreed to continue administering the colony until French officials arrived and formalized the transfer, with the official transfer of Upper Louisiana taking place on Three Flags Day in St. Louis over 9–10 March 1804.

The area was under French control in part from 1801 to 1803. Napoleon was strained by operations in the Caribbean and Europe. The ceremonial transfer of Upper Louisiana to the United States took place on Three Flags Day in St. Louis, 9–10 March 1804.

Unlimited access

Everything a full the United States report reveals

Pick any location and Aubrey pulls together 18 strands of its history, each drawn from the record:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your first month for $5.99
Or see a real report first

Explore North Dakota records

489
National Register historic sites
National Register listings ›
116
Military engagements
Military history records ›
5
Indigenous groups
Heritage records ›
2
Notable figures
Born in North Dakota ›
5
Colonial-era events
1492 to early statehood ›
North Dakota counties
Census population history ›
Sources

State history content adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. Historic sites data: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

About North Dakota

When did North Dakota become a state?
North Dakota was admitted to the Union in 1889.
What European powers colonized North Dakota?
The territory that became North Dakota passed through several colonial periods. The vast French Louisiana was not widely developed, due to a lack of human and financial resources. The area was under French control from 1682 to 1762. There was little Spanish presence in the wide expanses of what they called the 'Illinois Country'. Spain agreed to continue administering the colony until French officials arrived and formalized the transfer, with the official transfer of Upper Lo
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report