Fort Ransom State Park

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Fort Ransom State Park
Access to Fort Ransom State Park

Access to Fort Ransom State Park

location Ransom County in North Dakota (USA)
surface 359 ha
Geographical location 46 ° 33 '  N , 97 ° 56'  W Coordinates: 46 ° 32 '40 "  N , 97 ° 56' 10"  W
Fort Ransom State Park, North Dakota
Fort Ransom State Park
Setup date July 1979
administration North Dakota Parks and Recreation Dept.
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The Fort Ransom State Park is a State Park in Ransom County in the US state of North Dakota . The 359-acre park is located north of Fort Ransom in the densely forested valley of the Sheyenne River .

history

The park was named after the US Army fort built in 1867, the remains of which are now a State Historic Site about three miles south of the park. The fort was abandoned in 1872. In the period that followed, mainly immigrants from Scandinavia settled in the region. The state park opened in July 1979.

Flora and fauna

The park area preserves three different ecosystems: the deciduous forests along the Sheyenne River, a high grass prairie and a mixed grass prairie. American elms , red ash , linden and bur oak grow in the park , along with numerous shrub species and prairie grasses.

White-tailed deer , raccoons , beavers , coyotes and foxes can be found in the park . Numerous species of birds can be seen in the park, including spotted woodpeckers , red-throated warblers , Canadian corpses , scarlet tangars and prairie buzzards , as well as numerous species of butterflies. The Sheyenne River is home to glass ey perch , catfish , stone perch , phoxinus and numerous species of mussels.

Tourist facilities

The park is open year-round and is considered a Natural and Scenic Area and is an official part of the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway . A four-kilometer section of the North Country National Scenic Trail runs through the park. The park has a campsite with 30 spaces. Canoes and kayaks can be rented in the park for water sports on the river. Eight kilometers of bridle paths run through the park, and horse meadows are available for groups. In winter, the park area can be used with snowmobiles and cross-country skis on over 10 km of trails.

Two farmhouses are a reminder of the pioneering history of the region. The Bjone House built in 1879 by the Scandinavian immigrants Nils Olson , was until 1976 in the possession of his descendants and is now a visitor center, which also houses an exhibition on the Scandinavian traditions of the region is located. Another farmhouse, built in 1884, is a reminder of the pioneering days and serves as the backdrop for the Sodbuster Days that take place annually in July and September . On Sodbuster Days, members of the Fort Ransom Sodbusters Association demonstrate pioneering agriculture and rural life in the late 19th century.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway. Retrieved June 4, 2011 .