06/21/2026
Jamestown ND was established as a “tent village” in 1871. Union Army Veteran, First Elected Stutsman County Treasurer, and First Elected Stutsman County Assessor to work here at 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site Thomas S. Collins (1846-1908) would build the first permanent shanty at the Confluence of the Pipestem and James Rivers on November 11, 1871, 15 days before the US Army and Railroad Engineers arrived. As that village grew, on June 10, 1873, Stutsman County, Dakota Territory, would be officially organized and elected County Officials chosen by their neighbors, to serve their neighbors, for the betterment of the surrounding community and all Citizens of Stutsman County.
On August 09, 1883, a Grand Dedication Ball was held here in our Court Room to Celebrate not just the completion of our building, but the successful management of Stutsman County, and “a daisy” of a building “built for the generations to come…located on the highest point in town it will show off superbly to the passengers who come in on the Northern Pacific on its magnificent trains on the curve along the east side of town.”
At that moment in time, 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site became A Confluence of Cultures for Stutsman County, and thankfully this weekend has proven that to Still Be True.
Some Guests came out and joined us on Friday for JUNETEENTH: The Dakota Life of "Colonel" Benjamin Hayes, where we shared the history of the “Buffalo Soldiers,” “Cow-Boys,” and “Exodusters” who came to Dakota Territory following the reading of General Order No. 3 at Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865; to include Jeremiah & Mary “Lulu” Thompson, “Colonel” Benjamin Hayes, Charles Wilber “Bullet Joe” Rogan, Willie “Big Bill” Foster, and many other Black Americans who made, and continue to make a name for themselves here in Jamestown, Stutsman County, North Dakota.
On Saturday, we were delighted to talk a little 2026 FIFA World Cup and share the stories, like that of Stutsman County Surveyor and Chief Draftsman of North Dakota, Albert W.D. Lewis (1858-1895) who Immigrated from Tambaroora, New South Wales, Australia and became a Naturalized U.S. Citizen here at the Court House on March 20, 1884. Of the 48 Countries competing in this year’s World Cup, we have stories from 16 of those Countries in the 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site’s historic record.
And Today, we were delighted to host a variety of Fathers who came out to Roam our Corridors and share some Stories on . And what a delight it was to have the opportunity to share some stories of Jamestown and Stutsman County's Chinese History that dates back to at least 1880, if not before, with Immigrants mainly arriving here from Guangdong Province or “Canton” (Guangzhou). A history that often doesn’t get associated with Jamestown’s origins, but Charles Kam, Lee Sing, Lee Kew, the Hoys Family and the Wongs Family, among others would also leave their mark and legacy throughout Stutsman County and Eastern North Dakota.
1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site is so much more than a beautiful photo opportunity and architectural marvel, it’s a site where the World has come to make a home and leave a legacy. Norman Joe Gillespie (1907-1971) would pen and publish his poem STUTSMAN COUNTY in 1919, he finishes his final stanza with:
“On portals wide the welcome sign,
Bids strangers come, with us abide,
To make this county, yours and mine,
A happy home, a joy and pride.”
At 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site we hope we can continue to live up to Mr. Gillespie’s refrain as we “Bid Strangers come, with Us Abide. To make this County, Yours and Mine,” as we continue to stand upon the hill at the highest point in town as a Cultural Confluence for the World to come and see, but also to Hear the Legacies from All Around the Globe that continue to make this place special, unique, and important.
If you have read this far into our post, we encourage you to follow our Event page for our upcoming JULY 2 N.D.: A Most Memorable Epocha as we Celebrate the life of Original Stutsman County Commissioner, Denis M. Kelleher (1845-1892) and will feature the Musical and Cultural stylings of Maggie in the Meantime as we continue to celebrate America250 this free community event is part of the North Dakota 250 commemoration celebrating our country’s 250th birthday.
Come and Immerse yourself in our Century of Stories at 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site managed by the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The Site is OPEN daily 9am-5pm. For more information visit us or call: (701) 328-1883
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***This post features Images that have been Colorized by Staff. Music that was created using AI Generation Tools to put Norman J. Gillespie’s poem STUTSMAN COUNTY to music. This post also features flags that may be unfamiliar to some:
The Five-Colored Flag was a flag flown by the democratic Republic of China prior to 1928 when the flag was changed to the Republic of China Flag or known commonly today as the Flag of Taiwan. Prior to 1952, these were the flags that would have been most commonly flown in Guangdong Province during the time of those who Immigrated to early Stutsman County.
Benjamin Hayes was born somewhere in Tennessee in January 1863, born of West African Descent. The National Flag of Ghana features the tri-colors known as the “Pan-African” colors and a Black Star. Ghana’s Black Stars are currently competing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Thanks to modern advancements in DNA testing and historical research, many individuals and families today have been able to trace back to their ancestral roots in places like Ghana, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Cote d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Cameroon, among others.
The African American United States Flag was originally designed by Marcus Garvey in 1920, designed initially after the Italian Flag, later it was re-designed by David Hammons in 1990 after the American Flag:
Red – Symbolizes the Blood of the People, in the unified and ongoing struggle for Black Liberation.
Black – Represents of the People who were Stolen from Africa.
Green - Represents the stolen Abundance and Wealth of Africa, to include the Brilliant Minds and Genius of the People and the Vibrant Wealth of Agricultural, Mineral, and Natural Resources that was stolen.
The Juneteenth Flag was designed by Hassie Benjamin “Boston Ben” Haith, Jr. in 1997 and revised in 2000. The Red, White, and Blue is taken from the American Flag as the newly Freedmen and their descendants were and are still Americans.
The Arc between the Blue and Red represents a New Horizon with Opportunity and Promise that lies ahead for all Black Americans.
The White Star in the Center represents both the Lone Star of Texas and the North Star to Freedom, as well as the Freedom for Black Americans to now include All 50 States.
The Burst – A Supernova, A New Star. Represents a New Beginning for Black Americans.***
