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Morton County, North Dakota

51 topographic sheets cover 30 settlements here, and 11 properties are on the National Register of Historic Places.

Research this county

From the record

11 National Register listings published here, 1 of them a National Historic Landmark.

Sources: the National Register database, National Park Service

North Dakota within the United States
Morton County within North Dakota

What the record shows

  • 210 topographic sheet readings cover the county's settlements.
  • 11 properties here are on the National Register of Historic Places: 8 buildings, 2 districts and 1 site.
  • The Geographic Names Information System records 30 populated places in this county; 30 are covered by at least one topographic sheet.

Places on the National Register

11

Every property in this county listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with the year it was listed and the federal nomination document.

Photograph PropertyType ListedReference
Stuart Dunlap Housebuilding199292000587
German Evangelical St. Johns Church-Deutsche Evangelische St. Johannes Kirchebuilding200100001642
Hotel Brownbuilding201414000335
Huff State Historic Site (32MO11)site198080002920
Lewis and Clark Hotelbuilding198383001938
Mandan Commercial Historic Districtdistrict198585000341
Mandan High Schoolbuilding2017100001364
Louis Rehm Barnbuilding199493001550
State Training School Historic Districtdistrict199695001549
Sunnyside Farm Barnbuilding199695001550
Welsh Housebuilding198080002921

Wildfire, 2001 to 2020

134 fires

Every wildfire the federal occurrence database records inside this county: 134 of them, burning about 2,156 acres. 13 started naturally and 1 was recorded as arson. Each settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it.

Reported cause Fires
Equipment and vehicle use49
Missing data/not specified/undetermined27
Natural13
Debris and open burning13
Fireworks12
Smoking7
Power generation/transmission/distribution6
Recreation and ceremony5
Arson/incendiarism1
Misuse of fire by a minor1

The five largest, by the area the report gives. None of them was recorded as arson.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
15 August 2015Equipment and vehicle use600 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceSWEETBRIAR FIRE
23 August 2003Natural400 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceMORTON COUNTY
2 September 2020Debris and open burning200 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceFD2009020007
27 June 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined150 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceLITTLE HEART BOTTOMS
9 July 2017Equipment and vehicle use100 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceMH FIRE
4 April 2012Missing data/not specified/undetermined90 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceRAYMOND KAELBERER
18 July 2017Natural60 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceCANNONBALL RANCH 2017-054
28 July 2017Missing data/not specified/undetermined50 acresNorth Dakota State Forest ServiceWO ROAD

Every settlement page carries the fires within five miles of it - see the settlement index below.

Storms, 1953 to 2025

60 of 805 shown

The NOAA Storm Events Database holds 805 reports for this county, causing 3 deaths, 25 injuries and about $142,967,530 in recorded property damage. Each settlement page carries the reports that name it.

Kind of event Reports
Hail420
Thunderstorm Wind294
Tornado54
Funnel Cloud13
Flood11
Flash Flood9
Lightning2
Heavy Rain2

The most serious of them, by death, then injury, then recorded damage. The accounts are quoted exactly as the forecast office filed them.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
May 1953Tornado (F5)not stated2 killed, 20 hurt, $250,000no account filed
June 1999Thunderstorm WindMandan1 killed, $2,000,000One man killed while attempting to land small plane at the Mandan airport. Extensive damage occurred to building roofs and large trees were damage or destroyed. Widespread electrical outage.
May 1993Thunderstorm WindMandan3 hurt, $50,000Winds overturned two tractor semi-trailers on Interstate 94 west of Mandan. Three occupants inside were injured.
April 2010Thunderstorm WindMandan1 hurt, $25,000High winds from thunderstorms caused a large tree to fall on a mobile home in Mandan. One person in the home received minor injuries. Time is estimated.
August 2014LightningNew Salem1 hurt, $3,000A vehicle, traveling north on North Dakota Highway 31 north of New Salem, was struck by lightning. Airbags in the vehicle deployed. A female passenger in the front right seat of the vehicle suffered injuries and was taken to a hospital by ambulance. The vehicle sustained cosmetic damage and all electronics were inoperable. The vehicle was disabled.
June 2001HailMandan$113,000,000no account filed
June 2011FloodNew Salem$10,000,000See the event episode narrative for details.
June 2009Flash FloodMandan$1,800,000Thunderstorms with heavy rainfall continuously redeveloped across far eastern Morton County for several hours during the evening of the 15th. Public reports of three to four inches of rainfall were received in the city of Mandan along with street flooding. Some homes had water in their basements. A 30 foot by 40 foot section of roof collapsed at a bowling alley in Mandan. Newspaper reports were that the flat roof failed as a result of the added stress from the weight of the rain water. Two elementary schools in Mandan also had water damage. There were no injuries or deaths.
June 2025Tornado (EF2)New Salem$1,500,000This Quasi-Linear Convective System (QLCS) tornado occurred to the north-northwest of Sweet Briar Lake. Three farmsteads were impacted. The first farmstead had minimal damage. The second farmstead had two large pole barns lose their roofs, with some collapsed walls. A half-full steel grain bin had its top completely removed, with the bin side dented in to grain level. A large Harvestore silo was significantly dented. A mile of power poles were broken between the second and third farms. The third farm had damage to the house which included much of the shingling being removed and a portion of the roof sheathing being removed, along with windows being broken. In addition, a pole barn had almost all its roof covering blown off with mainly rafters remaining. After the third farm, the tornado then struck a wind turbine, which snapped its support pole 1/4 of the way up, resulting the turbine toppling. Another turbine suffered blade damage. Based on the damage done this tornado was rated EF-2, and from that wind speeds were estimated to be around 120 mph.
May 2010Thunderstorm WindNew Salem$1,300,000A large fertilizer building north of New Salem sustained heavy damage from extreme straight line winds associated with a severe thunderstorm. Visual inspection of the damage conducted during a storm survey indicates estimated winds of 95 mph. Much of the damage was to the roof of the building, in which much of the metal roof was peeled back and blown off to the north. Preliminary damage was estimated at over one million dollars to the building and loss of fertilizer.||Additional damage from severe thunderstorm winds was observed north-northeast of New Salem towards the Morton County and Oliver County border. Several farms had damage to outbuildings, trees, and farm equipment. Damage here was estimated at one quarter of a million dollars.
May 1996Thunderstorm WindMandan$1,300,000no account filed
May 2023HailSweet Briar$1,000,000A supercell thunderstorm produced golf ball size hail near Crown Butte Lake, and then moved through the Mandan area continuing to produce golf ball size hail. Multiple vehicles were dented and roofs damaged. The storm then continued into Bismarck in Burleigh County.
March 2009FloodMandan$603,000Heavy overland flooding from the Heart River damaged state, county, and township roads. Eleven homes were flooded. Ice jams on the Heart contributed to flood severity. The Cannonball River also contributed to overland flooding along the Sioux County line. Flooding continued into April.
June 1999Thunderstorm WindSt Anthony$500,000Cumpled six power lines
May 1998Tornado (F1)Glen Ullin$500,000The tornado damage was confined to the west side of town while downburst winds and hail affected the east side. Several buildings at the airport and golf coarse were destroyed as well as garages and grain bins. Numerous trees and power lines were downed. The first severe weather outbreak of the season saw numerous funnel cloud, tornado and hail reports. Thunderstorms developed late in the afternoon along a warm front which extended from Dickinson to Devils Lake. Most of the storms moved northeast and produced heavy rain and pea size hail. Those storms that moved east produced the severe weather.
August 2024Thunderstorm WindSt Anthony$450,000Thunderstorm wind combined with hail to cause significant damage to structures in St. Anthony. Homes had multiple windows completely broken out and siding was severely damaged with holes punched completely through.
April 2023FloodHebron$450,000Flooding from snow melt runoff caused significant damages to county infrastructure, which includes damage caused by an ice jam in Mandan along the Heart River.
August 2021HailFlasher$400,000Very large hail combined with wind gusts to cause extensive damage. At one farmstead, all windows were broken out of the north side of two homes. Steel siding was dented on one home, and vinyl siding was destroyed on the other. Five vehicles had their windows broken. Crops were flattened and trees were stripped of leaves. Other farmsteads in the area also had broken windows in their homes, and destroyed crops.
July 2024HailMandan$300,000An intense thunderstorm passed over the Harmon Lake area, including the campgrounds on the north side, and produced hail as large as three inches in diameter. Many campers and structures sustained significant damage.
July 2017HailMandan$250,000Large hail fell over a broad swath of the city of Mandan, with the largest hail reported near the baseball field on 3rd Street SW.
June 2016HailHebron$250,000The hail combined with gusty winds to cause damage to the windows, siding, and roofs of homes in Hebron.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindNew Salem$250,000New wind turbine blades stored on the ground and waiting to be installed were completely destroyed.
June 2007FloodSt Anthony$250,000In the area around St. Anthony the Morton County Emergency Manager reported water running over roads and minor damage to some bridges.
August 2016HailMandan$250,000no account filed
June 1986Tornado (F0)not stated$250,000no account filed
July 1981Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
May 1978Tornado (F3)not stated$250,000no account filed
August 2021HailJudson$200,000Multiple homes in the area were heavily damaged, which included broken windows and destroyed siding. In addition, a few campers were also damaged.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindFt Rice$200,000Several garages were ripped from foundations in the Fort Rice area. An unoccupied mobile home was blown down a hill, and a travel trailer recreational vehicle was blown into the Missouri River.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindHebron$200,000High winds knocked over grain bins, 18-inch diameter trees, and power lines south of Hebron. The winds combined with hail to cause damage to homes.
June 2010Tornado (EF1)Mandan Muni Arpt$200,000Grain bins were destroyed by this tornado and there was some crop damage. Based on information received from the property owner about the damage, it was determined that this tornado was a middle EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. From that it was determined that wind speeds were around 95 mph.
May 2008Tornado (EF1)New Salem$200,000The tornado was originally reported by Morton County law enforcement. A storm damage survey was conducted by the National Weather Service and found that damage occurred to five farms in the New Salem area. Damage to farm houses was minor. Damage to farm outbuildings was significant with roofs torn off and smaller buildings destroyed. In some cases small outbuildings were destroyed while others nearby had little in any damage. Horse trailers were pushed and some were tipped. Tree trunks were snapped part way up their bases. The tornado damage corresponded to EF1 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. From that it was determined that wind speeds in the tornado were on the order of 100 mph. This was the first of two tornadoes in Morton County this evening.
July 2001FloodMandan$200,000Up to 5 inches of rain fell within a 24 hour period causing flooded roads. High water washed up debris over some rural roads and homes. Up to 4 feet of standing water on some roads in the city.
August 2016HailMandan$200,000no account filed
August 2016HailMandan$200,000no account filed
April 2009FloodMandan$190,000Heavy overland flooding and flooding on the Heart River from snowmelt damaged numerous state, county, and local roads along with eleven homes.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindBreien$150,000A roof was torn off a barn and a window was blown into the house. A metal horse cultivator was tossed, and fresh hay bales were rolled.
June 2020Thunderstorm WindFlasher$150,000A home sustained substantial damage due to straight line winds. Approximately one-half of the roofing on the west side of the home blew off, with much of the remaining metal roof covering on the west side also being blown off. An attached permanent front porch awning on the west side, a wheel barrow, and multiple children's toys were also blown away. The debris blew towards the east-northeast.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindAlmont$150,000A large well-constructed pole barn was destroyed with multiple pieces of farm equipment inside.
June 2016Thunderstorm WindAlmont$150,000Many trees were reported down in the town of Almont. Some trees fell onto cars and campers. Also, some buildings were struck by falling trees.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindNew Salem$150,000Strong thunderstorm winds resulted in tree and building damage in and around the New Salem area.
June 2010Flash FloodGlen Ullin$150,000Up to six inches of rain fell across portions of western and central Morton County. The heavy rainfall resulted in numerous flooded roadways and flooded basements. Road damage was reported to be extensive in some locations.
August 2010Thunderstorm WindNew Salem$150,000Large hail accompanied the strong thunderstorm winds. The wind driven hail and strong winds resulted in widespread damage in the town of New Salem. Several trees were uprooted, and hail damage was sustained to homes and vehicles.
August 2016HailMandan$150,000no account filed
August 2024HailSt Anthony$125,000Mainly baseball size hail fell at this location, but one hailstone was measured at 4 inches in diameter. Significant damage occurred to roofs of buildings and to vehicles.
May 2019HailSt Anthony$120,000Siding was damaged in St. Anthony.
July 2023Thunderstorm WindBreien$100,000The thunderstorm winds combined with hail to flatten two-thirds of a wheat field and to severely damage a sunflower field.
June 2021Thunderstorm WindGlen Ullin$100,000Damage occurred in and around the city of Glen Ullin. About a mile west of town, outbuildings were severely damaged, and a roof on an industrial building was damaged. In town, A five inch diameter tree was broken over.
July 2014Thunderstorm WindHuff$100,000Large hail accompanied the strong thunderstorm winds with damage to structures and crops.
July 2008HailHebron$100,000Hail up to the size of ping pong balls fell in the city of Hebron, causing damage to buildings and vehicles.
July 2013Tornado (EF0)Judson$95,000A tornado briefly touched down five miles north of Judson. Local emergency management reported the tornado damaged or destroyed three barns, and destroyed two grain bins on a farmstead. The damage reported corresponded to an EF0 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. From that it was determined that wind speeds were on the order of 80 miles per hour.
May 2010Thunderstorm WindAlmont$80,000Strong straight line winds associated with a severe thunderstorm tore the roof off of a farm outbuilding, broke off tree branches, blew down a small wind turbine, and pushed a large old barn so that it now leans towards the north. Wind speed was estimated from the visual inspection of damage during a storm survey.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindNew Salem$75,000A large tree snapped towards the base, and another tree fell onto a house.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindSims$65,000Straight line wind damage occurred near New Salem. A barn roof was destroyed, an auger was tipped over, and debris was thrown into the side of a home.
June 2018Thunderstorm WindHebron$55,000A semi-truck flipped over on Interstate 94.
June 2025Thunderstorm WindAlmont$50,000Multiple power lines were blown down.
September 2025Flash FloodMandan$50,000Approximately two to three inches of rain fell in a short period of time, leading to flash flooding. Many rural roads over far eastern Morton County had water flowing over.
August 2021Thunderstorm WindFlasher$50,000A semi-truck and trailer were blown over by thunderstorm winds. The very strong winds continued for a few minutes after the truck blew over.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindMandan$50,000Parts of a roof were torn off of a group home.
August 2011Thunderstorm WindGlen Ullin$50,000Trees six to eight inches in diameter were snapped in Glen Ullin. Damage also occurred to several buildings and other structures.

Mines and quarries

9 recorded

The Survey's mineral resources record lists 9 workings inside this county. 4 still produce and 5 are closed or unrecorded. Each settlement page carries the workings within five miles of it.

Commodity Workings
Sand and Gravel, Construction6
Clay3

The least common of them first, because a county's hundredth gravel pit says nothing its first ten did not.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
U S Noonlite Mine & PlantClayProducer
UnnamedClayPast Producer
White Plastic Clay PitClayUnknown
Dakota PlantSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Helm Bros Sand & Gravel PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Sunny PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnnamedSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Wetch PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
White Sand PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every populated place in the county

30

Named settlements recorded in the Geographic Names Information System, each with the topographic sheets covering it. Villages, hamlets and abandoned places alike. Each is shown with the nearest named watercourse or landform and the survey quadrangle it falls on.

The vanished settlements of Morton County: the places named above that are no longer on the map.

Provenance

  • Topographic sheets. USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection, county index, measured from the bulk metadata.
  • Fire insurance maps. Library of Congress Sanborn collection, faceted to this county.
  • Photographs. Each place queried individually against the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs search.
  • Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
  • Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
  • Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.