Abandoned farms, ghost towns etc (Fargo, Dickinson: houses, school, live)

[StaciND]

No, I'm not writing an article for National Geographic

My summer hobby is metal detecting...it's something my father and I have done since I was young, and one thing we still love to do together. We're both very into history, and love to find things and imagine the stories behind them.

For instance, we found something very interesting in our local park last year. why was there a 1800's gun shell in the city park 8 inches down? Granted, the park is that old, but why was it there? So far we've found out the shell was military issue, and along the way have found a lot of history about our town that neither of us would have ever guessed. We like to research and learn about people and places that way. We're no treasure hunters...usually end up with a couple old pennies after hours of work and driving, and at least twenty times that amount of garbage to throw away

We dig our holes carefully and leave things as good as when we arrived, and are happy to help anyone close enough to the Fargo area find something they've lost.

Anyway, I was wondering if anyone here could tell me of any abandoned farms, schoolhouses, churches (NOT graveyards! lol) they've seen, or even towns that are just about empty. We're also definitely open to hunting very old houses that aren't abandoned...all with owner permission of course.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[retiredranger]

There is a site on the web that lists "ghost towns" in ND. They are areas where most if not all of the population has left. Do a Google search for that topic.

[StaciND]

Thanks for your help we've done quite a lot of research and have gone to many of these "ghost towns", but they are usually still inhabited by a few people that aren't happy with us poking around their town :P

A nice old farmstead would probably keep us busy the entire summer...anything is welcome! Thanks again

[davednorris]

Hi Staci,

What you do sounds like lots of fun. Wish I could get into some of that metal detecting when we get moved to Dickinson, ND in a couple months. Anyway, I had a thought (for what it's worth). Have you tried contacting the local historical society of a nearby town that you are interested in? Maybe somebody there could put you in contact with a propective property owner that would be willing to let you explore on their land. SOmetimes it helps having the request come from a known person instead of a total stranger. My thinking is that the local historical society (or local museum) folks would be interested in the history as you are and might know of some good areas to hunt.... Just a thought.

Good luck on your hunts.

My wife's name is Stacy with a "y".
Just thought I'd throw that in there.

Kind Regards,

Dave N.
<><

[StaciND]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the suggestion! Any idea how I might approach someone at the historical society, without seeming like I'm looking for lost treasure or going to ruin someone's yard? LOL it sounds funny, but we detectorists have a bad reputation for digging holes in parks and not filling etc...because there are people like that around.

Another Stacy! Mine is spelled a little funny...like a guy but I like it anyway

[davednorris]

Hi Staci,

I can't vouch for how this would work for you, but here's what I'd try...
I'd try to find something on-line for the town I'm interested in doing some searching in. Like a google search for "Dickinson Historical Society" or go to the town's website (if they have one) and check for organizations. Let's say I found some enties for a metal detecting club and a histoical society, and a county museum. Then I'd try to get their phone #s and give them a call and try to strike up a conversation with someone there, explain what I was interested in and ask if they thought they might be able to help me or refer me to someone who might be able to help me.

Kind Regards,

Dave N.
<><

[magiccity]

Staci,
One of the best ways is drive around until you find an abandon farmstead. Then go to the county assessor's office, find who lives there and ask permission. Most of the time, you'll have no trouble. On one farmstead, I found a spur that had "U.S. Calvary" stamped on the side of it. ct

[StaciND]

Wow, that's neat! Any idea on the history? Thanks for the advice I'll definitely do that around here this summer...can't hardly afford to just drive around any further with these gas prices lol

[StarzPlyr]

My Grandmother left me a house here in ND. In a very old town with tons of history. I was told by a local here that my house was once a gambling, poker type house and that for luck they would throw cions over there shoulders. I was told to keep my eyes open for any such coins. I cant help but wonder what treasures lie around my house.

[StaciND]

Awesome! That's just what I'm looking for...we have a lot of older houses in Fargo, but I'm not sure I'd like someone just knocking on my door asking to dig in my yard, so I haven't done anything like that


...but, if there's anyone in Fargo here that'd be willing to let me search, that'd be great! you can have half of the chest of treasure if I find it.