Morton County

Morton County covers the central portion of North Dakota, featuring farmland, rolling terrain, and the Missouri River cutting through its landscape. Small towns and rural settlements dot the area, connected by highways that cross the county in multiple directions.

The county was created in 1873 as part of Dakota Territory governance, named after Oliver Hazard Perry Morton, a former Indiana governor. This establishment marked a shift toward formal territorial administration and settlement of the northern plains.

Agriculture shapes daily life here, with farming families at the heart of community gatherings and seasonal celebrations that bring neighbors together. These practices define how people relate to the land and to each other.

Interstate 94 runs through the area, connecting Mandan, the county seat, to surrounding regions and making travel straightforward. Since this is a rural county, services and amenities are spread across several small towns rather than concentrated in one place.

The Missouri River forms the eastern boundary and creates a natural dividing line between this county and its neighbors. This boundary position has influenced how the county developed economically and how people moved through the region for centuries.

GPS coordinates: 46.72447,-101.16445

Latest update: December 8, 2025 13:40