Minot

Minot is a city in Ward County, North Dakota, situated along the Souris River roughly 50 miles south of the Canadian border and around 100 miles northwest of Bismarck at 491 meters elevation. The city serves as a trade center for surrounding agricultural areas and features a mix of residential neighborhoods, commercial districts, and public facilities.

The city emerged in 1886 during the construction of the Great Northern Railway and grew from a tent settlement to more than 5,000 residents within five months. Named after a railroad executive, its rapid development made it the primary center in northern Dakota Territory.

The Norsk Høstfest celebration in October draws visitors from across North America and beyond to experience Scandinavian music, cuisine, and craftsmanship. The festival takes place in large indoor venues and brings together Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish traditions maintained by families in the region for generations.

The city is surrounded by farmland and grazing areas in a region known for long, cold winters and warm summers. Visitors can explore the downtown area on foot, while many other points of interest require a vehicle.

The Scandinavian Heritage Center displays full-size replicas of Norwegian buildings, including a stave church and a 230-year-old house from Sigdal, Norway. These structures were built using old materials and traditional techniques to preserve the construction methods of past centuries.

Location: Ward County

Inception: 1886

Elevation above the sea: 491 m

Website: https://minotnd.gov

GPS coordinates: 48.23250,-101.29628

Latest update: December 12, 2025 20:56