History of Wild Rice, North Dakota, USA

Founding of Wild Rice
In the 1840's this area of the Dakotas was only occupied by buffalo hunters and fur traders. Most of these were French Catholics and one early missionary who ministered to them was Father Lafleche who wrote in 1856 about celebrating Mass at Wild River (now the Wild Rice River).

With settlers moving into the Dakota Territories, the US Government established Ft. Abercrombie on the west bank of the Red River in 1858 to provide a military presence for their protection. This became a trade center and a native and white population grew up around the fort. In 1865 Father Genin stopped there for three days to administer to the Catholic soldiers and civilians in the vicinity of the fort while on his way to St. Boniface, Manitoba. In 1867 Genin was based at Ft. Abercrombie and started to make his plans for a permanent mission to the natives which he hoped to build near the junction of the Red and Wild Rice rivers. In September 1868 he wrote to Bishop Tache in St. Boniface that his... Read MORE...

The first white child born in Cass county was Ulphie Cossette's daughter, Marie Flore, born at Wild Rice on March 21, 1870.

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1906
Wildrice, a post-village of Cass co., N.Dak., on the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul R. The banking point is Fargo.
Lippincott's New Gazetteer: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World, Containing the Most Recent and Authentic Information Respecting the Countries, Cities, Towns ... in Every Portion of the Globe Publisher J.B. Lippincott Company, 1906

Here's a list of the best places to go and things to do in and around Wild Rice:
Buffalo River State Park:
Start your Wild Rice adventure with a visit to Buffalo River State Park, just a short drive away. Enjoy hiking trails, bird watching, and picnicking in a serene natural setting. The park is especially beautiful during the fall when the foliage is ablaze with vibrant colors.

Red River Zoo:
Head to Fargo, which is not far from Wild Rice, and explore the Red River Zoo. It's a delightful place for families and animal lovers, featuring exhibits like the Northern Trail and the Kid's Barn, providing an educational and entertaining experience for all ages.

Roger Maris Museum:
Baseball fans won't want to miss the Roger Maris Museum in Fargo. Learn about the life and career of this legendary baseball player, who once held the record for the most home runs in a single season. It's a small but fascinating tribute to a sports icon.

Hjemkomst Center:
Discover the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, just across the river from Fargo. It houses the Hjemkomst Viking... Read MORE...