Washburn, North Dakota

Hello, and warm greetings to you! You are probably first wondering why someone from New York City would be interested in a town in North Dakota? Well, OK, here goes: Washburn, North Dakota is where my Grandfather, who was born in 1888, enlisted in the US Army during World War One. All I know is that before he enlisted, he was working on a farm somewhere in North Dakota. Perhaps in this local area. I would really love to visit the area someday and walk in the places where my Grandfather walked. Can you give me any info about visiting Washburn and the area%26#39;s historical places? Also, can you point me in the direction of places, homes, stores and buildings that would have been around in 1917? Thanks, and I look forward to your replies!

Washburn, North Dakota

Bismarck is south of Washburn and that should be your choice of where to stay if you want to visit the area. I can%26#39;t remember even seeing a motel there. But a search of the web might produce something. Just more in Bismarck.

Quite a few places in the Missouri River Valley for history. This was where Lewis %26amp; Clark spent time in this area. And in N.D we call her Sakakawea.

Do you know ';where'; grampa is from, like the township? I would bet that you probably have some relations up here. Everybody knows everybody type thing up in N.D. Washburn is the county seat so you could get that info there. McClean County.

Sorry can%26#39;t be more helpful, but we just always pass thru there.

Malebird

Washburn, North Dakota

My husband works with a lifelong Washburn guy. Though he wasn%26#39;t alive in 1917, if you give a family name, he might have some information. There is a little motel in Washburn but you do have many more options here in Bismarck. And its not that long of a drive. Like bird said, lots to do in Washburn plus here in Bismarck, we have the Capital, Fort Lincoln, Heritage Center, State Archives (which might be good for research on your family), the riverboat, etc.

Thanks for your warm and friendly replies! My Grandpa was actually born in Sweden way back in 1888 and first settled in my family%26#39;s hometown of New Britain, Connecticut when he first emigrated to this country. He somehow made his way out to your beautiful area in the days before WW1. Perhaps because he had an amazing sense of adventure and also because he had been a farmer back in his native Sweden. His name was Frank L. Johnson. Thanks for your great and helpful insights and info. Someday I will have to pay a visit to the area and see it all for myself.

Gave me a chuckle. Johnson. That%26#39;s more common up here in ND than Smith, along with Olson or Larson. Anything with a ';son'; in it.

Malebird

Yeah I was hoping for an unusual name. The co-worker doesn%26#39;t know anything with that info. There are lots of buildings in Washburn that were likely around in 1917. Its a small town so you could poke around quite a bit and find info. It might help if you knew the name of the farmers your grandfather worked for too. Good luck!

Thanks for checking. That was so really kind of you. Good stuff! Wow! And as you may have guessed, I%26#39;m directly related to lots and lots of folks in Connecticut with the name Johnson! I know. Hard to believe lots of Swedes settled there. But it was only my Grandpa who headed out west. Now I%26#39;ll try to find out from the oldtimers on whose farm he worked on and perhaps of whom he knew back then. Thanks again, and hopefully I%26#39;ll come explore your area.

Let%26#39;s hope he didn%26#39;t work for a Nelson or Olson then!