Belden, North Dakota

Belden is a ghost town located in Sikes Township in Mountrail County, North Dakota, United States. It is located along North Dakota Highway 8 between Stanley and the former town of Van Hook.[1] The village was founded in 1904, and was reportedly named for W. L. Belden, North Dakota's Indian agent at-large who was stationed at Fort Berthold Indian Reservation at the time.[2]

History

Belden was founded in 1904 by Finnish settlers when the area was still part of Ward County.[3][4] The village never exceeded a population of more than 25. The post office was established in 1904 as well, and operated continuously until 1986 with the ZIP code of 58715. The Belden Store was considered a local landmark.[2] Today, Belden has a population of about 15, with one large family growing the number over the past decade.

Similarly named places in North Dakota
  • Belden Post Office (first), Logan County. This post office was reportedly established June 28, 1890, but the government denied the entry with a "no papers" explanation in 1892.[2]
  • Belden Post Office (second), Logan County. Named for W. L. Belden or Belden, Nebraska. The post office in Richville, established February 1892, was briefly changed to Belden in April of that year.[3][4] However, the name change was never formally ratified and was rescinded in 1895.[2]
  • Cannon Ball Junction, Sioux County. Located at the junction of the Milwaukee Railroad and Northern Pacific Railroad, it was originally named Belden for W. L. Belden.

References
  1. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. Wick, Douglas A. (1988). North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Hedemarken Collectibles. p. 14. ISBN 0-9620968-0-6. OCLC 191277027.
  3. Williams, Mary Ann (Barnes) (1966). Origins of North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Bismarck Tribune, 1966. p. 205. OCLC 431626.
  4. Patera, Alan H.; John S. Gallagher (1982). North Dakota Post Offices, 1850-1982. Burtonsville, Maryland: The Depot. pp. 99–101. OCLC 09763647.


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