Historical events of the Red River Region

1763 – By treaty of Paris, England obtains title to part of North Dakota drained by the Souris (Mouse) and Red Rivers.

1768 – Jonathan Carver explores Northwest through the Red River Valley for the Canadian government.

1797 – David Thompson, English geographer, explores and maps Souris and Missouri River basins.

1800 – Spain cedes American possessions back to France after adjustment of territorial holdings.

1801 – Alexander Henry, moves trading post to Pembina.

1812 – Selkirk colonists come to Pembina to make first attempt at permanent white settlement in North Dakota.

1818 – Father Dumoulin and Father Provencher open first church — a Roman Catholic mission — in North Dakota.
The first school, taught by William Edge, was begun in connection with this mission. The United States acquires eastern North Dakota by treaty with England.

1823 – An expedition led by General Stephen H. Long designates official boundary between the United States and Canada at a point north of Pembina. Selkirk colonists evacuate Pembina and move to Canadian soil.

1843 – Fur trading post was built by Norman Kittson. John James Audubon, a naturalist, travels through North Dakota to study animal life in the region.

1848 – Father George Belcourt opens mission fields in Pembina, Walhalla and the Turtle Mountain areas. Reverend Alonzo Barnard and James Tanner conduct first Protestant church service in North Dakota at Pembina. Reverend Barnard also brought the first printing press into North Dakota.

1851 – First post office is established in North Dakota at Pembina. Norman Kittson is the first postmaster. Charles Cavileer brings settlers to Pembina from Minnesota territory to form the first permanent white agricultural colony in what will become North Dakota. The first flourmill is constructed and put into operation by Father Geo. Belcourt.

1858 – Anson Northup, the first steamboat on the Red River, begins its first voyage from Fort Abercrombie to Winnipeg in May.

1874 – First newspaper in North Dakota part of the Red River Valley, the Express, is printed in Fargo.

1882 – Great Northern Railroad completes rail line north, through the Red River Valley to Canada.

1897 – The first free public library is opened in Grafton. A major spring flood causes severe damage through the Red River Valley.

Courtesy of Dakota Portraits
By Marion J. Piper