Jamestown (North Dakota)：Discover the Soul of the North Dakota Prairie

Jamestown is glorious for its buffalo and is also known as the Buffalo city or the pride of the Prairie. There are heaps of exciting destinations that you can explore in the City of North Dakota other than the World’s Largest Buffalo, the sacred white buffalo, buffalo herd and also the National Buffalo depository. You can tour the pioneer military post at Fort Seward military Post and interpretative center. Additionally, you visit the nice sports legends of Peace Garden State revered at the state's Sports Hall of Fame. The Hansen Arts Park hosts arts exercises in association with the Humanities Center. A city with around 16,000 residents, Jamestown was initially named after the James River and has been a signature in the field of outdoor activities like Disc Golf, camping, fishing, trailing and many more.

1. National Buffalo Museum

Photo byminnemom

The National Buffalo Museum is home to 15-30 buffalo, bison, and white buffalo, Dakota Miracle who lives in the 200 acres of pasture land and represents the wildlife in the city of North Dakota. The Museum showcases its focus mainly on the life of bison. The display has Indian artifacts of the plains; lots of artwork; firearms used in the nineteenth century by the bison hunters and other wildlife of the surrounding areas. Entry fee is $8.00 for adults, $6.00 for seniors and $6.00 for children from 5 years to 14 years. It is free below 5 years. Entry timings are morning 10 am to evening 5 pm from Monday to Saturday.

2. Frontier Village

Photo byHaydn Blackey

The Frontier village displays antiques and artifacts that define the lifestyle in prairies to the tourists visiting here. It exhibits the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot that was first started in Jamestown in 1880 and have used till 1965 after which then finally shifted here. There is also a well-known gift shop where local people of Jamestown sell their artwork in the way of handmade gifts and products. You can also enjoy the stagecoach and pony rides from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm at $5 per head. Look for the shoot-outs in the Wild West here. The entry timings from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day are 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and after Labor Day to Memorial Day from September are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

3. Saint James Basilica

Photo bycommons.wikimedia.org

The Basilica was built during the settlement of the Catholics in Jamestown in 1872. The cross-shaped Basilica is 13 meter in height and has a seating capacity for 650 devotees who can witness the fascinating church mass on all days at specific timings. The pyramidal structure of the basilica has a capping with twenty-three-carat gold-leaf crosses. It was registered in the National Register of Historic Places in 1982 and renamed as St. James Catholic Church and further promoted in 1988 under the name of minor basilica. On Holy Thursday, believers can participate in the Holy Mass at 7 pm, Good Friday Service at 5:15 pm, Easter Vigil at 9 pm and Easter Sunday at 8:30 am & 10:30 am. You can also search for the mass timings at masstimes.org where you need to enter the city and look for the timings.

4. Jamestown Reservoir

Jamestown Reservoir is one of the prime tourist destinations in and around North Dakota. The reservoir covers an area of 45 miles of coastline and 2,000 acres of land, and it is an ideal place for boating and fishing. There are seven boat launches, picnic spots, two swimming waterfront and 3 miles of tracks laid down for walking, biking, and trailing. There is also an exceptional famous disc golf course with pond meant for fishing. With playgrounds, camping areas and excellent cabins, Jamestown Reservoir are the states most exceptional recreation area. You can also rent your sports and games equipment from the adjoining Lakeside Marina for outdoor activities.

5. Stutsman County Memorial Museum

The Stutsman County Memorial Museum was constructed in the year 1907 by George Lutz, a famous businessman of Jamestown. The museum exhibits an extensive collection of artifacts, remembrances, archives, relics, and collectibles. The chronicles are from railways, defenses’, household, medicine, agriculture and archaeological elements and articles. This AC building is a perfect example of Collegiate Gothic style houses built in the nineteen hundreds. From the start of June to end of August the museum organizes the Front Porch Chats all Sundays at 2 pm. Entry is free for tourists and can be accessed by the physically disabled. The discourse and chats are delivered by local historians and artists who provide anecdotes of the rich cultural heritage of North Dakota.

6. Jamestown Speedway

The Jamestown Speedway is a track of one-fourth a mile that offers a thrilling race for varied types of competing cars IMCA Modifieds, WISSOTA Street Stocks, WISSOTA Midwest Modifieds, and the Central Dakota Pure Stocks. Here you can witness the fascinating Wissota Modifieds, Midwest Modifieds, Wissota Street, Bombers, and Road Hog each Saturday Night. It also organizes the Stock Car Stampede which is the best-known racing competition where approximately two hundred and fifty cars participate. Children above six can also participate in the slingshot that occurs every week and feels the thrill of being a racer in the tracks. Car Racing starts at 7 pm to 11 pm from May to August. Special races shall feature in September.

7. Fred’s Den

The new and happening bar of Jamestown is Fred's Den. The owners Casey Willman, Jessica Willman and Lucas Dockter give special attention to their customers. The place is cozy, comfy and charming. It is open from Tuesdays to Saturdays from 4 pm to 2 am and remains closed on Sunday and Monday. The bar is full of photographs honoring Jamestown with its cultural background, and they are made using recycled products. At present, it is serving Giovanni’s Pizza from Minnesota and is expected to run full time from January. The floor has been made with three-fourth inch pine wood to balance the uneven stories of the area. It is a delightful place to hang out with friends while enjoying live music and tasty foods.

8. McElroy Park

Formerly known as Lula M. McElroy Park, the now named McElroy Park is a 63.13-acre land meant for outdoor activities. There is equipment for games and sports, for visitors to easily access them. The Picnic shelters, tables and restrooms make it an ideal picnic spot for holidaymakers. Outdoor activities mainly include tennis, sand volleyball, skate Board Park, basketball and picket ball in reserved courts of the park. In 2010 the McElroy Park was renovated with an additional playground, gymnasium, and tracks. The playground is a replica of the city having the city hall, school, police and fire service station. The McElroy Park is the center of Environmental, educational, historical and outdoor activities for the general public.

9. Fort Seward Interpretive Center

The Fort Seward built in the late nineteenth century, i.e., from 19872-1877, is now known as the Fort Seward Interpretive Centre. It marks the establishment of Jamestown in the City of North Dakota. It exhibits the rich history of the fort including the largest American flag in the whole of North Dakota with the Stutsman County's Veterans' Memorial Wall surrounding it. The ground is open for picnic and tourists can have a gala time in this spot. The center has relics and memoirs of items dug during the archaeological survey. You can also witness James River and the Veteran's memorial. It is open all days from April to October.

◎ Closing

A trip to Jamestown is a tour worth memorable. Even after four hundred years of inhabitation in Jamestown, the place still remains a mystery and thrill with its wildlife and history. The galleries, museum, lakes, fun-filled recreational activities, artifacts, basilica, and parks drive the enthusiasm among tourists to explore more and more of the town in North Dakota. Here you can learn about the archaeological discoveries that took place during the time, the state-of-the-art museum that exhibits the lifestyle of the Prairies and the rich military that the town upholds. And of course, visit Jamestown can never be complete without food and drinks which complete the residents of Jamestown. Savor your taste buds with the grilled chicken, pizza, Italian steaks that are the signature mark of the place.