Gascoyne, North Dakota – Dying Along the Railroad
Bowman County, North Dakota, a landscape of vast prairies and sweeping skies, holds within its borders a collection of settlements that whisper tales of a bygone era. Among these are the spectral remains of ghost towns like Gascoyne, Griffin, and Haley, each a poignant reminder of dreams that once flourished and faded with the changing tides of time. These towns, once vibrant communities, were strategically positioned like beads on a string, their existence intrinsically linked to the arrival of the Milwaukee Railroad in 1907 and 1908. Beyond these abandoned settlements, other towns along the railroad’s path, such as Scranton and Rhame, have experienced a gradual decline, leaving behind a scattering of weathered, ghostly-looking buildings that stand as silent witnesses to their diminishing vitality.
The story of Gascoyne and its neighboring communities is interwoven with the history of the Milwaukee Road, a railway that sought to forge its own path to the Pacific Northwest amidst fierce competition. The impetus for this ambitious undertaking stemmed from a power struggle over control of the Northern Pacific Railway and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad in 1901. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad, more commonly known as the Milwaukee Road, recognized that its future depended on securing its own independent route to the Pacific coast, lest it be relegated to the whims of its rivals.
In 1901, the president of the Milwaukee Road commissioned an engineer to conduct a comprehensive assessment of the costs associated with replicating the Northern Pacific’s line. The engineer’s estimate pegged the project at a staggering $45 million, a sum equivalent to approximately $1,241,820,000 in today’s currency. Such a monumental investment demanded careful consideration and meticulous planning. It was not until November 1905 that the Milwaukee’s board of directors finally authorized the construction of a line extending westward to Tacoma and Seattle, Washington, marking a pivotal moment in the company’s history and the future of communities like Gascoyne, North Dakota.
Gascoyne, North Dakota, officially came into being as a Milwaukee Road Railroad townsite in 1907. Initially, the settlement was christened Fischbein, in honor of Henry G. Fishbein, a prominent early resident and the town’s first postmaster. However, on March 25, 1908, the name was officially changed to Gascoyne. Two theories exist regarding the origin of the new name. One suggests that it was named after a construction foreman working on the Milwaukee Road transcontinental rail line as it passed through the area. The other proposes that the name alludes to the substantial deposits of natural gas found in the vicinity. Whatever the true origin, Gascoyne, North Dakota was born, a small town with a bright future ahead of it.
Never destined to be a major metropolis, Gascoyne, North Dakota, reached its peak population in 1930, boasting a modest 97 residents. From that point forward, the town experienced a gradual decline, eventually dwindling to its present-day population of approximately 16 individuals. Despite its small size, Gascoyne once possessed a vibrant commercial district that catered to the needs of its residents and the surrounding agricultural community. Over the years, the town supported a hardware store, a bowling alley, a grocery store, a Standard Oil station, several taverns, and a town hall, which served as a focal point for community gatherings and was particularly renowned for hosting lively dances.
Education played a vital role in the life of Gascoyne, North Dakota. Children attended school in a prominent building that, although now deteriorating, still stands as a testament to the town’s commitment to education. Constructed in the 1910s, the impressive schoolhouse featured three spacious classrooms and a basement large enough to accommodate early competitive basketball games. As the town grew, these competitions were later moved to Woodman Hall, a building that no longer exists.
As the population of Gascoyne declined, its school eventually merged with that of nearby Scranton, located approximately four miles to the northwest. For a brief period, elementary school students in grades 1-4 from both Scranton and Gascoyne attended classes in Scranton, while students in grades 5-8 from both towns were educated in Gascoyne. High school students from both communities attended school in Scranton. However, this arrangement was short-lived, and the Gascoyne school ultimately closed its doors, with all students subsequently attending school in Scranton. The front entry of the Gascoyne school, facing south, was adorned with stately Neo-Classical architectural details, adding a touch of elegance to the building. The school building in Gascoyne, North Dakota, stood as a monument to a bygone era, before being torn down in 2016 due to structural issues.
The economic landscape of Gascoyne experienced a significant shift with the discovery of lignite coal in the area. For much of the 20th century, Gascoyne served as the site of a coal mine, providing employment opportunities and contributing to the town’s economy. The mine’s most productive period occurred between 1975 and 1995, during which it produced approximately 2.5 million tons of lignite annually. The majority of this coal was destined for the Big Stone Power Plant near Big Stone City, South Dakota. However, the mine’s operations began to slow down in 1995, and it was ultimately shut down completely in 1997. Today, remarkably, there is little to no visible evidence of past mining activities in the area.
The decline of Gascoyne continued as essential services and businesses gradually disappeared. The town lost its post office in 1971 with the retirement of postmaster Gladys Erickson, who was not replaced. The Erickson Grocery, operated by Gladys and Francis Erickson, housed the post office and served as the last retail business in Gascoyne before closing its doors in 1972. Currently owned by the city of Gascoyne, the store still stands on the west side of Main Street, in the heart of what was once the town’s bustling business district. The building’s false front is constructed of brick, with drainage tile used for decorative trim, while the other three walls are stucco over tile. The Erickson Grocery, though now silent, stands as a reminder of the commerce that once flowed through Gascoyne, North Dakota.
Today, Gascoyne lacks any operational businesses, churches, or schools. However, many of its historic commercial buildings remain standing in relatively good condition, serving as tangible links to the town’s past. Despite the decline, approximately 16 residents still call Gascoyne home, preserving a sense of community amidst the quietude. The old town is situated along Highway 12 in Southwestern North Dakota, approximately 17 miles southeast of Bowman. Gascoyne, while diminished in size and population, continues to hold a special place in the history of Bowman County and the state of North Dakota. It stands as a testament to the rise and fall of communities shaped by the railroad and the changing economic forces of the 20th century.