PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA

Pembina, situated at the confluence of the Red and Pembina Rivers in the northeastern corner of North Dakota, is a quiet, peaceful town steeped in history.

Most historians attribute Pembina's name from a corruption of the Chippewa term anepeminan sipi signifying Redberry River in recognition of the great abundance of the high bush cranberry growing along the river banks. Canadian historian, Morice, claims the spot was named by Indians from a combination of two Ojibway words, Pam meaning "all around", and Bian meaning "a place of meeting." The name is significant, for the old Pembina site was, for over two centuries, the natural place where Indians and hunters assembled before starting to the prairies on buffalo hunts.

Early Settlement
As a settlement, Pembina had its beginnings in 1797 when John Adams was serving as the second President of the United States. In that year Charles Baptiste Chaboillez, of the Northwest Fur Company, founded a trading post and named it Fort Panbian. The original fort was located on the west side of the Red River, near the mouth of the Pembina.

In 1803, the Hudson Bay Company built a new post at Pembina, which was also located at the mouth of the Pembina, on the west bank of the Red River and in the angle formed by the Red and Pembina Rivers. According to Hudson Bay Company archives, this fort was in use until 1823.

1812 brought Scottish and Irish settlers sent by Lord Selkirk under the leadership of Miles Macdonnel. The settlers erected Fort Daer at the mouth of the Pembina River, on the south side and the west bank of the Red River, the former Chaboillez site.

Commerce
From the first days of its existence, the Pembina area abounded in wild game of many kinds. With the development of carts for overland hauling and the use of flatboats and steamboats on the Red River, Pembina soon became the center of a vast fur trade territory.

Its commerce consisted chiefly of beaver, otter, mink, fisher, martin, and muskrat furs, fox skins and buffalo hides taken mainly from the Dakota side of the Red River and from western Canada. A loaded cart of furs generally weighed about 800 pounds, and the plodding oxen seldom covered more than 20 miles a day. The trip from Pembina to St. Paul, a distance of 471 miles, took from 23 to 50 days depending on the weather, trail conditions, and other factors. The carts continued on the trails until the railroads superseded them as overland carriers in the late 1800's.

Territorial Alliances
Pembina's history includes a number of geographic allegiances including being part of the Missouri Territory in 1834-36, Wisconsin Territory from 1836-38, Iowa Territory from 1838-1849, and Minnesota Territory from 1849-1858. In 1861, Pembina became part of the Dakota Territory.

Pembina's permanent status became secure with the construction of a post office in 1843 and the establishment of the first customs house at the International Port of Entry in 1851.

North Dakota's first public school was built in Pembina in 1875 and used until 1881. In the Department of Public Instruction Annual Report for 1875, it is reported that classes were held with 30 of the 117 children between ages five and 21 in attendance, and that the sum of $105 was paid for teacher's wages and $35 for incidentals.

Transportation
Over the years, Pembina continued to prosper as new forms for transportation replaced the ox carts and steamboats. I-29 isn't too far from the original ox cart trail that blazed the first commercial path through the wilderness. Northwest Airlines built an airport in Pembina in 1931. In 1957, when Northwest decided to make non-stop flights from Grand Forks to Winnipeg, the City of Pembina decided to acquire the airport in order to protect its International Airport of Entry status. This strategic move strengthened the local economy and city's ability to attract the Winnipeg, Manitoba-based Motor Coach Industries plant to the area in 1962. This plant, along with the U.S. Customs Service, provides employment for area residents and assures a healthy economy and lifestyle for the region.

From its early beginnings as a trading post and fort, Pembina has grown from a thriving settlement to a thriving community with a population of 700 residents. To this day, Pembina residents embody the enterprising spirit, entrepreneurial vision, and commitment to progress that their ancestors first demonstrated over one hundred and fifty years ago.

Pembina State Museum
The Pembina State Museum features two exhibit galleries, interpretive programs and activities. Enjoy a bird's eye view of the Red River Valley from the Museum's seven story observation tower.