Selfridge, North Dakota
Encyclopedia
Selfridge is a city in Sioux County
, North Dakota
in the United States
and on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation
. Selfridge was founded in 1911. The population was 160 at the 2010 census. Sub-Divisions near this city include Chadwick, ND and Porcupine, North Dakota
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
system consists of two main school buildings. Selfridge Elementary serves grades K-6. The high school serves grades 7-12. The school system enrolls a little less than 100 kids.
The schools were built in the 1950s to replace the old main school house. The elementary school was once a private school for the St. Philomena Catholic Church.
), Cedar Soil Conservation, and the community elevators.
branch line
that diverged from the railroad's Pacific Extension transcontinental route
in McLaughlin, South Dakota
and ran to New England, North Dakota
. The first depot was a stationary boxcar moved into Selfridge in 1917 by the railroad on a flatcar; G.E. Langbein became the first depot agent. The boxcar-depot was in pretty deplorable condition upon arrival; it took quite a bit of work to fix it up. In the early days, trains were used extensively, for long distance travel by Selfridge residents and continued until the later 40's. Selfridge was dependent on the railroad in the early years. Everything came in by train: groceries, lumber, fruit, coal, meat, machinery, mail and even ice. The town shipped all its produce out by train also. Again, the mail, livestock, grain dairy products etc. The trains were a vital part of Selfridge as a growing community.
The first business, a general store, was started in 1911, followed shortly by the Sioux Lumber Company later in 1911. This made for access to building supplies for other businesses and homes which followed. Some of the first homes were crude shanties until the residents could later build their homes, such as the J.K. Wead home and the B.L. Smestad home. These are still being lived in by families today.
Farmers came to the Selfridge area hoping to make their fortune in flax
. The area was open range
and cattle
had to be herded day and night. The area had good farming ground and excellent ranching hills. Horses were used for pulling wagons and for farming and most of the prairie was broken up with walking plows.
Travel was slow and difficult due to crude prairie trails and lack of roads. Good roads weren't really built until the 1930s when W.P.A.
was put into effect. The roads were then built with horses and crude machinery.
For the first eight years after it was founded, Selfridge existed as an unorganized community without the benefit of municipal ordinances and local supervision—a real "wild west" sort of environment. Before they incorporated to become a village, the residents of Selfridge fought a losing struggle to have Selfridge designated as the county seat before Sioux County became separated from Morton County. History repeated itself, when again in the 1950s the residents tried to have the county seat relocated from Fort Yates to Selfridge because it is more centrally located. Both times were disappointing defeats.
In 1925, the City of Selfridge boasted 51 homes and 63 business places.
It contained 2 churches, 4 schools, 3 elevators, 2 garages, 3 implement
dealers, 4 filling stations, 2 welding shops, 1 long distance phone, 1 lawyer,
1 pool hall, 2 banks, 1 public hall, 1 picture show, 4 general stores, 3
grocery and meat stores, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 feed barn, 1 rooming house, 2
restaurants, 4 real estate offices, 2 oil stations, 1 hotel, 1 hardware, 1
newspaper, 1 drug store, 1 barber shop, 2 cream stations, 3 contractors, 1
painter, 2 lumber yards, 2 confectioneries, 1 millinery shop, and 1 electric and
power & light company.
By 1930 the town had more than doubled its population. We can honestly say the
community of Selfridge was a bustling, thriving place to live. The people
supported their community one hundred percent. Everything was purchased at home—from machinery, cars, groceries, clothing, fuel, building supplies etc. Nobody went out of town to patronize another community. This is what gave Selfridge its vitality. The roads and mode of travel were not conducive to buying away from home. About the only way things were purchased away from home was through the Sears and Roebuck Catalog. Organizations and groups were formed with all members supporting and maintaining the group to its fullest potential.
During the depression years of the thirties, many local men and area farmers
supported their families by working on W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). The pay was anywhere from $25 to $42 per month depending on the type of work and job and whether the men furnished their own teams of horses. Our city park was started and planted with grass and trees. The City Auditorium was built and sidewalks installed. National Youth Association (NYA) gave many of our young people jobs. They earned $6.00 a month.
As the town grew, fire became its greatest hazard. A volunteer fire department
has always been in existence in Selfridge, but never formerly organized until
1973. Balls and fundraisers were held often to raise money for equipment. Many
of the Selfridge business places and homes have been lost to major fires
through the years. Always the people rallied and rebuilt. More evidence of the
fortitude the Selfridgites possessed. Prairie fires through the years have
threatened the very existence of Selfridge.
As the years progressed, so did the modernization of travel and roads. People
were soon able to jump into modern fast moving vehicles and get to their
destination with not much time lost. Because of cars, trucks, tractors, and up
to date machinery, we no longer needed horses and soon the village blacksmith
and harness repair shops disappeared. Soon came the discontinuance of passenger
train service because cars were so much more convenient. When rail freight
service was no longer available our city dray line was no longer needed. The
list could go on of the businesses lost to modernization.
In the early years of the 1940s bumper crops were harvested around the countryside of Selfridge. The farmers enjoyed a chance to take a breath without
wondering where the next meal was coming from as in the previous ten years.
They hauled their grain into 3 self-operating elevators in Selfridge. Business
in town flourished and once again building and remodeling could be seen everywhere. Just as fast as Selfridge recovered from the depression, it was hit
by the war years. Research proves that people in Selfridge worked together and everyone did more than 100% to help the war effort and bring peace in the world again.
Farming practices in the Selfridge area have changed drastically over the past
100 years—trash cover on summer fallow
, a faster coverage of all stages of farming including seeding, summer fallow, harvesting, etc., as well as
chemicals used on weed and insect control, seed variety and treatment. The
Cedar Soil Conservation Office should be given credit here as they assisted in
dam, dugouts, dike building, planning, surveying and financially. Modern
farming practices have cut down on farm labor costs but increased in farm
management costs. Farmers and ranchers now spend long hours with the
calculators and computers figuring out how to get the best production for the
least cost.
An adequate supply of good water is essential to the growth and development of
any town or city. The years during the 50's saw the most progress of Selfridge
since its beginning. Once again, through research, it was found that the
City Council worked diligently to bring about the water and sewer system to the City of Selfridge. Our leading well driller, George Walker Jr., has to be given credit for the important role he played during this project.
Also, not to be forgotten, was the long awaited day of blacktopping all the streets of Selfridge. Farmers and townspeople alike worked for the successful completion of this project. Here again, the Blotske Brothers Construction helped in making this project the success it was. These improvements are today taken for granted, but had we all been a part of Selfridge during those years, we would realize what an asset these projects are and would be more appreciative of them.
In the late 50's and early 60's, Selfridge hit its peak population. Much
construction and building was going on in this area. This meant jobs for
people, families moving into our town and maintaining our school and supporting
our businesses. The building of the Five Star Cheese Plant also meant jobs for
people in our community and an outlet for the product of the dairy farmer. By
the 1970s the Selfridge population started going down as did the population of most small towns. People were better able to purchase away from home at a cheaper price. The small town businesses could not buy in the large quantities and therefore, their prices remained higher causing people to buy away from home. Business at home fell off and right on the heels of that came the closing doors of many business places. That, we know all too well, means loss of jobs.
And the young people started leaving the community. During the later years of 1970 it was even feared by the community that it might have to close the doors on its school. This was the trend across the whole country—people moving from rural to urban settings.
But, the "Spirit of Selfridge" prevailed through all the low times of its
short life. Now young people are again building homes and so are the older
generation in their retirement years. Young people are taking over existing
business places and starting new ones. Our students are trying their wings and
returning to the "old home town" to seek employment or to try a new enterprise.
Organizations are forming, with members are once again supporting and working
together for the success of the group as a whole. The transitory employees who
pass through Selfridge, such as teachers, government workers, southern
combiners, have always remarked on the friendliness of the community and the
spirit it possesses.
. The Milwaukee Road
line that ran through the city was abandoned in 1983, leaving Selfridge without railway access.
was 830.4 people per square mile (318.9/km2). There were 85 housing units at an average density of 316.5 per square mile (121.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 39.91% White, 59.19% Native American, 0.45% Pacific Islander, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.
There were 71 households out of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.48.
In the city the population was spread out with 40.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $23,594. Males had a median income of $21,875 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $8,824. About 21.6% of families and 29.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 31.6% of those sixty five or over.
Sioux County, North Dakota
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 4,044 people, 1,095 households, and 871 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile . There were 1,216 housing units at an average density of 1 per square mile...
, North Dakota
North Dakota
North Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, along the Canadian border. The state is bordered by Canada to the north, Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south and Montana to the west. North Dakota is the 19th-largest state by area in the U.S....
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation
Standing Rock Indian Reservation
The Standing Rock Indian Reservation is a Lakota, Yanktonai and Dakota Indian reservation in North Dakota and South Dakota in the United States...
. Selfridge was founded in 1911. The population was 160 at the 2010 census. Sub-Divisions near this city include Chadwick, ND and Porcupine, North Dakota
Porcupine, North Dakota
Porcupine is a census-designated place in Sioux County, North Dakota, United States. It lies only a few minutes' drive from the city of Selfridge. The community includes the headquarters of the Selfridge/Porcupine district....
.
Geography
Selfridge is located at 46.042028°N 100.924673°W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 0.3 square mile (0.776996433 km²), all of it land.
School System
The Selfridge Public School DistrictSelfridge Public School District
Selfridge Public School is a public elementary school and high school located in Selfridge, North Dakota. The athletic teams are known as the "Chieftains".-District:...
system consists of two main school buildings. Selfridge Elementary serves grades K-6. The high school serves grades 7-12. The school system enrolls a little less than 100 kids.
The schools were built in the 1950s to replace the old main school house. The elementary school was once a private school for the St. Philomena Catholic Church.
Local Business
The city is now served by the Farmers Union (or Cenex), Branding Iron Bar & Steakhouse, USDA (United States Department of AgricultureUnited States Department of Agriculture
The United States Department of Agriculture is the United States federal executive department responsible for developing and executing U.S. federal government policy on farming, agriculture, and food...
), Cedar Soil Conservation, and the community elevators.
History
Selfridge was settled in 1911 along a Milwaukee RoadChicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad , was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. The company went through several official names...
branch line
Branch line
A branch line is a secondary railway line which branches off a more important through route, usually a main line. A very short branch line may be called a spur line...
that diverged from the railroad's Pacific Extension transcontinental route
Transcontinental railroad
A transcontinental railroad is a contiguous network of railroad trackage that crosses a continental land mass with terminals at different oceans or continental borders. Such networks can be via the tracks of either a single railroad, or over those owned or controlled by multiple railway companies...
in McLaughlin, South Dakota
McLaughlin, South Dakota
McLaughlin is a city in Corson County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 663 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city on the Standing Rock Indian Reservation.-History:...
and ran to New England, North Dakota
New England, North Dakota
As of the census of 2000, there were 555 people, 266 households, and 155 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,106.1 people per square mile . There were 320 housing units at an average density of 637.8 per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 98.20% White, 0.54%...
. The first depot was a stationary boxcar moved into Selfridge in 1917 by the railroad on a flatcar; G.E. Langbein became the first depot agent. The boxcar-depot was in pretty deplorable condition upon arrival; it took quite a bit of work to fix it up. In the early days, trains were used extensively, for long distance travel by Selfridge residents and continued until the later 40's. Selfridge was dependent on the railroad in the early years. Everything came in by train: groceries, lumber, fruit, coal, meat, machinery, mail and even ice. The town shipped all its produce out by train also. Again, the mail, livestock, grain dairy products etc. The trains were a vital part of Selfridge as a growing community.
The first business, a general store, was started in 1911, followed shortly by the Sioux Lumber Company later in 1911. This made for access to building supplies for other businesses and homes which followed. Some of the first homes were crude shanties until the residents could later build their homes, such as the J.K. Wead home and the B.L. Smestad home. These are still being lived in by families today.
Farmers came to the Selfridge area hoping to make their fortune in flax
Flax
Flax is a member of the genus Linum in the family Linaceae. It is native to the region extending from the eastern Mediterranean to India and was probably first domesticated in the Fertile Crescent...
. The area was open range
Open range
Open range may refer to: vast areas of grassy land that is owned by the federal government.*Rangeland, vast natural landscapes*Open Range, the 2003 Western movie co-starring, co-produced, and directed by Kevin Costner...
and cattle
Cattle
Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated ungulates. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae, are the most widespread species of the genus Bos, and are most commonly classified collectively as Bos primigenius...
had to be herded day and night. The area had good farming ground and excellent ranching hills. Horses were used for pulling wagons and for farming and most of the prairie was broken up with walking plows.
Travel was slow and difficult due to crude prairie trails and lack of roads. Good roads weren't really built until the 1930s when W.P.A.
Works Progress Administration
The Works Progress Administration was the largest and most ambitious New Deal agency, employing millions of unskilled workers to carry out public works projects, including the construction of public buildings and roads, and operated large arts, drama, media, and literacy projects...
was put into effect. The roads were then built with horses and crude machinery.
For the first eight years after it was founded, Selfridge existed as an unorganized community without the benefit of municipal ordinances and local supervision—a real "wild west" sort of environment. Before they incorporated to become a village, the residents of Selfridge fought a losing struggle to have Selfridge designated as the county seat before Sioux County became separated from Morton County. History repeated itself, when again in the 1950s the residents tried to have the county seat relocated from Fort Yates to Selfridge because it is more centrally located. Both times were disappointing defeats.
In 1925, the City of Selfridge boasted 51 homes and 63 business places.
It contained 2 churches, 4 schools, 3 elevators, 2 garages, 3 implement
dealers, 4 filling stations, 2 welding shops, 1 long distance phone, 1 lawyer,
1 pool hall, 2 banks, 1 public hall, 1 picture show, 4 general stores, 3
grocery and meat stores, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 feed barn, 1 rooming house, 2
restaurants, 4 real estate offices, 2 oil stations, 1 hotel, 1 hardware, 1
newspaper, 1 drug store, 1 barber shop, 2 cream stations, 3 contractors, 1
painter, 2 lumber yards, 2 confectioneries, 1 millinery shop, and 1 electric and
power & light company.
By 1930 the town had more than doubled its population. We can honestly say the
community of Selfridge was a bustling, thriving place to live. The people
supported their community one hundred percent. Everything was purchased at home—from machinery, cars, groceries, clothing, fuel, building supplies etc. Nobody went out of town to patronize another community. This is what gave Selfridge its vitality. The roads and mode of travel were not conducive to buying away from home. About the only way things were purchased away from home was through the Sears and Roebuck Catalog. Organizations and groups were formed with all members supporting and maintaining the group to its fullest potential.
During the depression years of the thirties, many local men and area farmers
supported their families by working on W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration). The pay was anywhere from $25 to $42 per month depending on the type of work and job and whether the men furnished their own teams of horses. Our city park was started and planted with grass and trees. The City Auditorium was built and sidewalks installed. National Youth Association (NYA) gave many of our young people jobs. They earned $6.00 a month.
As the town grew, fire became its greatest hazard. A volunteer fire department
has always been in existence in Selfridge, but never formerly organized until
1973. Balls and fundraisers were held often to raise money for equipment. Many
of the Selfridge business places and homes have been lost to major fires
through the years. Always the people rallied and rebuilt. More evidence of the
fortitude the Selfridgites possessed. Prairie fires through the years have
threatened the very existence of Selfridge.
As the years progressed, so did the modernization of travel and roads. People
were soon able to jump into modern fast moving vehicles and get to their
destination with not much time lost. Because of cars, trucks, tractors, and up
to date machinery, we no longer needed horses and soon the village blacksmith
and harness repair shops disappeared. Soon came the discontinuance of passenger
train service because cars were so much more convenient. When rail freight
service was no longer available our city dray line was no longer needed. The
list could go on of the businesses lost to modernization.
In the early years of the 1940s bumper crops were harvested around the countryside of Selfridge. The farmers enjoyed a chance to take a breath without
wondering where the next meal was coming from as in the previous ten years.
They hauled their grain into 3 self-operating elevators in Selfridge. Business
in town flourished and once again building and remodeling could be seen everywhere. Just as fast as Selfridge recovered from the depression, it was hit
by the war years. Research proves that people in Selfridge worked together and everyone did more than 100% to help the war effort and bring peace in the world again.
Farming practices in the Selfridge area have changed drastically over the past
100 years—trash cover on summer fallow
Summer fallow
Summer fallow, sometimes called fallow cropland, is cropland that is purposely kept out of production during a regular growing season. Resting the ground in this manner allows one crop to be grown using the moisture and nutrients of more than one crop cycle...
, a faster coverage of all stages of farming including seeding, summer fallow, harvesting, etc., as well as
chemicals used on weed and insect control, seed variety and treatment. The
Cedar Soil Conservation Office should be given credit here as they assisted in
dam, dugouts, dike building, planning, surveying and financially. Modern
farming practices have cut down on farm labor costs but increased in farm
management costs. Farmers and ranchers now spend long hours with the
calculators and computers figuring out how to get the best production for the
least cost.
An adequate supply of good water is essential to the growth and development of
any town or city. The years during the 50's saw the most progress of Selfridge
since its beginning. Once again, through research, it was found that the
City Council worked diligently to bring about the water and sewer system to the City of Selfridge. Our leading well driller, George Walker Jr., has to be given credit for the important role he played during this project.
Also, not to be forgotten, was the long awaited day of blacktopping all the streets of Selfridge. Farmers and townspeople alike worked for the successful completion of this project. Here again, the Blotske Brothers Construction helped in making this project the success it was. These improvements are today taken for granted, but had we all been a part of Selfridge during those years, we would realize what an asset these projects are and would be more appreciative of them.
In the late 50's and early 60's, Selfridge hit its peak population. Much
construction and building was going on in this area. This meant jobs for
people, families moving into our town and maintaining our school and supporting
our businesses. The building of the Five Star Cheese Plant also meant jobs for
people in our community and an outlet for the product of the dairy farmer. By
the 1970s the Selfridge population started going down as did the population of most small towns. People were better able to purchase away from home at a cheaper price. The small town businesses could not buy in the large quantities and therefore, their prices remained higher causing people to buy away from home. Business at home fell off and right on the heels of that came the closing doors of many business places. That, we know all too well, means loss of jobs.
And the young people started leaving the community. During the later years of 1970 it was even feared by the community that it might have to close the doors on its school. This was the trend across the whole country—people moving from rural to urban settings.
But, the "Spirit of Selfridge" prevailed through all the low times of its
short life. Now young people are again building homes and so are the older
generation in their retirement years. Young people are taking over existing
business places and starting new ones. Our students are trying their wings and
returning to the "old home town" to seek employment or to try a new enterprise.
Organizations are forming, with members are once again supporting and working
together for the success of the group as a whole. The transitory employees who
pass through Selfridge, such as teachers, government workers, southern
combiners, have always remarked on the friendliness of the community and the
spirit it possesses.
Recreation
Froelich Dam is the city's number one hotspot for recreational activities such as inner tubing, boating, fishing, canoeing, and swimming. The city has one park that forms the heart of downtown. Less than a mile north of the city is Fred Rocks Dam which is viewable from the highway. The city's water tower built on a hill makes a good sledding place for the kids of the city.Transportation
The only main access to the city is using North Dakota Highway 6North Dakota Highway 6
North Dakota Highway 6 is a major north–south highway in North Dakota. It runs from South Dakota Highway 63 in McLaughlin to Interstate 94 in downtown Mandan. The speed limit on the highway is 65 MPH.-Things to See:...
. The Milwaukee Road
Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad
The Milwaukee Road, officially the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad , was a Class I railroad that operated in the Midwest and Northwest of the United States from 1847 until its merger into the Soo Line Railroad on January 1, 1986. The company went through several official names...
line that ran through the city was abandoned in 1983, leaving Selfridge without railway access.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 223 people, 71 households, and 54 families residing in the city. The population densityPopulation density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 830.4 people per square mile (318.9/km2). There were 85 housing units at an average density of 316.5 per square mile (121.6/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 39.91% White, 59.19% Native American, 0.45% Pacific Islander, and 0.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.24% of the population.
There were 71 households out of which 46.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14 and the average family size was 3.48.
In the city the population was spread out with 40.8% under the age of 18, 9.4% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $24,375, and the median income for a family was $23,594. Males had a median income of $21,875 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $8,824. About 21.6% of families and 29.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 38.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 31.6% of those sixty five or over.