Genealogy, Hiking, and History

I woke up today excited for the adventures ahead of us. I have been looking forward to this day of the trip ever since I planned it nearly three months ago.  On this day, we were going to do some of my favorite things: a little genealogy, a little hiking, and a little history.  

You can see the anticipation on the girls' faces as they watch me get ready to leave this morning! 

Our first stop was the town of Lansford, ND.  This tiny little town about 30 miles North of Minot plays a part in the history of my family and I was so excited to see it for myself.   My Great-Grandmother, Lila Johnston Struck, was born in this town in 1901.  This is also the town where she married my Great Grandfather. 

Lila's parents, Hugh and Cora, moved from Michigan to North Dakota sometime between the census of 1900 and when Lila was born in June of 1901.  By 1910, they had moved back to Michigan and then they moved back to North Dakota again by the census of June, 1920.  Sometime before November of  1920, my Great Grandfather traveled from Michigan to North Dakota and they were married in Lansford in November of that year.  By the time my grandfather was born in February, 1928, they had returned to Michigan for good. As I walked through the town, I wish I had known to ask her questions while she was still alive because I'd love to know more about her life here and why her family moved back and forth like they did. 

Lila's grandfather, Ira Johnston remained in North Dakota, as did at least one of his children.  One of my goals for today was to visit the cemetery where he is buried.  The cemetery is just about a mile outside of town and it was our first stop.

Lansford is a farm community.  As you can tell from the pictures, there is farmland for as far as you can see.   Standing there in the wind watching the grass blowing, I couldn't help but try to imagine what my ancestors thought of this place. 

I took my time walking around the cemetery.  I like to walk around and look at the other names on the headstones...it gives you a feel for the people that lived there.  Plus it had a nice Veteran's memorial in the center. 

And I found headstones for other Johnstons.  All of these people are somehow related to me and I'm interested to see what I can find out about them.  I especially want to know about the family who had this headstone...I'm convinced that is a GSP on there!

Finally I found the burial plot for Ira-my Great, Great, Great Grandfather and his son Ward, who was my Great Grandmother's uncle.. 

It was difficult to see the whole plot because there is a row of lilac bushes right in front of the headstones. 

At this point, we left the cemetery and headed down the gravel road toward town.  As we pulled into town, I was excited to see this business.  I thought I would stop and say hello, but as I walked up to the building, I noticed that it is no longer open...the owner is now retired according to the sign on the front window.  I really had hoped to meet a relative there!

It it such a small town with just a few homes and not many businesses, there is a post office, a bank that is open from 9:30am-1:30pm Monday-Friday, and the Lansford Mall, which consists of a Cafe, a Bar, and a Motel.  We parked in front of the post office across from the mall and got out to walk around.  

We walked down 2nd Avenue because this is the street, according to the 1920 census, where they lived.  Most of the houses on the street looked to be original to the early 1900 time period, I just wish I knew which one they had lived in. 

On the corner of 2nd avenue and Main Street was this run-down old building which was probably stunning in its heyday.   Based on what I learned later, the original post office was housed in this building.

After we walked around town, I had planned to leave to continue on our journey.  But before leaving, I decided to make a quick stop in the Mall-hoping to find a bathroom.  Instead, I found the Cafe and since it was just about noon, I decided to stay for lunch.  I was by far the youngest person eating there...and the only non-local!  But hanging on the wall there were some stories and history of the community which I read while waiting.  Boy, am I glad I stopped there.  

After lunch, we headed South on US-83 back toward Minot and then on to our next stop, Lake Sakakawea State Park and the Western Terminus of the North Country Trail there.

I was pretty excited as we pulled into the Visitor Center at the Park and I could see this sign.

I went inside to pay the day-use fee and learned that I had just missed a hiker who had just finished hiking the trail-leaving from Cincinnati 100 days ago.  I would have loved to chat with him.  I signed the log-book, got a stamp that showed I was there today, and then went out to get the girls and start our hike.  

They were pretty excited to get going.  We ended up completing 3.75 miles on the North Country Trail and we also followed the Shoreline Trail at the park for a bit.   The wildflowers were beautiful.

The girls were really enjoying their time out on the trail and they even got a chance to get into the lake for a chance to cool down.  

The scenery was beautiful here.  It was certainly different than the other areas that we have hiked the trail.  I really liked that there was a lake there too.

After  spending a good part of our afternoon hiking, we were back at the trail end and it was time to go.  It was a great day and really enjoyed this hike.   So with three happy and tired girls, we headed back to the Jeep.  

I had planned to visit the Ronald Reagan Minute Man Missile State Historic site on our way to Fargo, but we had spent so much time at our other stops, that it would have been closed by the time we arrived.  I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to see this piece of our history, but I guess that just means I'll have to come back to North Dakota to explore some more. 

I grabbed a quick dinner before jumping on the highway toward Fargo and I had three quiet passengers the rest of the trip.  Tomorrow we leave the plains and prairies behind us and head into the Great Lakes states.  I am excited to get back into the forests and lakes of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan and I can't wait to see my favorite Great Lake again!