Richland County: History, Crafts and Local Flavors

Richland County combines a mostly flat landscape with hillier terrain in the southwest and along its river areas. Its attractions are just as varied, ranging from museums and agricultural history to golf, wildlife and wine. As you plan your trip, you can choose different areas of focus and consider which experiences should shape your choice of accommodation.

River Landscapes, Farm Culture and Golf

The Bois de Sioux Public Golf Course makes the state border a distinctive part of its story: the first nine holes are in Wahpeton in North Dakota, and the second nine are in Breckenridge, Minnesota. The course has 18 holes in total. From the championship tees, it measures 6,675 yards and plays to par 71. This gives you a clear picture of both the size and length of the course.

Crooked Lane Farm offers farm tours along the scenic Wild Rice River between Colfax and Abercrombie. It is also home to the Red River Barn Quilt Trail. Maps are available for the trail, and barn quilt classes are offered. Farm tours and barn quilts provide different ways to experience the rural cultural landscape.

History and Crafts in the County

Bagg Bonanza Farm covers 15 acres; at its center is a fully restored main house with 21 bedrooms. The farm is one of the last remaining Bonanza farms in the United States and is designated a National Historic Landmark. Its size, main house and historical significance make it a notable destination for anyone interested in the agricultural past.

The Richland County Historical Museum has more than 12,500 square feet of exhibition space in a building constructed in 1965. It also displays Rosemeade pottery, originally made in Wahpeton. The Lidgerwood Community Museum includes an old stone church with an ecumenical chapel and an old schoolhouse. It also displays works by Ida Prokop, a North Dakota native regarded as a nationally known artist and sculptor.

The Ringling Brothers Circus Memorial commemorates the lightning accident of June 10, 1897, which occurred as a circus tent was being erected in Wahpeton. The memorial is an exact replica of the tent pole struck by lightning. A specific event in local history and its depiction on site provide a thread connecting the two.

Carousel, Wildlife and Local Flavors

The Prairie Rose Carousel in Wahpeton is a restored 1926 Spillman carousel. Its features include 20 handcrafted wooden horses, two chariots and a calliope. Wahpper is also located in Wahpeton’s Kidder Recreation Area: the catfish is 40 feet long, 12 feet high and weighs 5,000 pounds. Visitors can take a selfie there.

Chahinkapa Zoo is home to more than 300 animals from 100 species across six continents. They include orangutans, tigers, otters, leopards, monkeys, lemurs, apes, bison, kangaroos, camels and zebras. Two white rhinos joined the zoo in May 2018. Since animal populations can change, it’s worth checking the latest information before your visit. Chahinkapa Park has a boat landing and a fishing pier.

Dakota Vines is the first winery in Richland County. It makes small-batch wines by hand from cold-climate grapes. Offerings include wine tastings, wine by the glass, appetizers and made-to-order pizza. It brings together local production and concrete ways to explore wine and food.

Choose a Vacation Rental That Fits Your Plans

When looking for a vacation rental, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on: museums and historic sites, golf, farm tours, wildlife or wine tastings each offer a different experience.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Dunn County, Pierce County, Nelson, Bottineau County, Ramsey, Mountrail County.

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