Tranquility in the Sheyenne Valley: Fort Ransom

Ask any North Dakotan elementary student to list the three regions of the state, and they’ll respond with the Missouri Plateau, Drift Prairie, and Red River Valley. 

And while perched in between the Red River Valley and Drift Prairie, Fort Ransom, North Dakota, resembles the thoughts that come to mind when listening to a John Denver song: peace, rolling hills, tranquility, and a yearning to explore the beauty that our world offers. 

Rich history to modern escape

Nested in the beautiful Sheyenne River Valley, Fort Ransom is rooted in history. Established in 1867 as a military post and named after Civil War Union General Thomas E. G. Ransom, the fort served as protection for settlers and railroad workers along the Northern Pacific line. Disbanded by the government in 1872 (due to the growth of the Northern Pacific Railway), a stone monument still stands on Grizzly Hill, marking the once haven. 

Eight years later, Fort Ransom became an incorporated town. A century and a half later, Fort Ransom features the essentials of a small American town: a post office, community center, churches, and bars, all down the road from Rockstad’s River Inn, a quaint lodge featuring a yurt and cottage that allows weary travelers to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. 

Main Street occupies the bulk of the town, and its current population is just south of 100. Yet while small in population and real estate, the community’s impact on those who have the chance to grace it is monumental. 

Along the river

Walk alongside the west side of town, and you’ll be treated to the tranquil sound of water flowing on the Sheyenne River to the right and the Ransom County Historical Society (RCMS) on the left. Founded by a women’s club in 1972, the RCMS features a museum, schoolhouse, and barn that house artifacts that date back to the 1800s. NancyLee Loftsgard heads the RCMS board and has been with the society since 1978. In her 36 years, she remains awestruck at the amount of history within the walls of the site. 

“The floorboards (in the museum) were put in around 1908; we’ve got schoolbooks from the 1920s; it’s truly amazing,” she said. “Our job is to preserve all parts of the story of this region from the past that have brought us to today.” 

Continue up the river and up the hill, and you’ll find Thrill Hills, one of the state’s only ski and tubing facilities. Owned and operated by two local families, Thrill Hills features a variety of runs, a terrain park, chairlift, and tow rope alongside a rustic lodge with full-service food and beverage. 

“It’s such a great place to teach your kids how to ski,” Cass County Electric Cooperative Human Resources Specialist Sarah Rhea said. “There’s a ton of people in the region who learned how to ski there.”

When the snow is melted, Thrill Hills hosts summer events and community gatherings. 

Mother Nature at its finest

While small-town charm, preservation of history, and winter fun are substantial, the backbone of the area lies in its nature. Just east of town sits Sheyenne River State Forest, which touts the state’s lone waterfall. Head north, and you’ll find Fort Ransom State Park, which features unique yurts that travelers can stay in. 

Yet across the town and region, the underlying constant of breathtaking trails rings through. 

“The trails that we have coming from here to Valley City, Lisbon and Oakes, to Lamoure, it’s incredible,” Loftsgard said. “We encompass such a large area. We are Fort Ransom, but at the same time, we’re so much more.”

Whether camping, hiking, or just visiting, the destination is one of the state’s best-kept secrets.  

“I think it can satisfy almost everybody’s wants and desires as far as both going outdoors and enjoying history,” Loftsgard said.