North Dakota’s history goes back long before it became a state. One of the very earliest settlements and trading hubs in the state became the oldest town in the state, and you can visit it today to see its rich history. That town is Pembina, and its history began more than a hundred years prior to North Dakota even being known as North Dakota. Check it out:

Pembina was first established as a trading post in the late 1700s.

Wikimedia The town’s future site started with Fort Pembina, a trading post made in 1797 — just a couple decades after the United States became a country! It became the oldest settlement made by European settlers in both North and South Dakota. Technically, the fort wasn’t part of the United States until 1823 as they believed it wasn’t within the boundaries of the country. And even before all that, it was an important place for Native American tribes as it had the borders of Lakota, Chippewa, and Assiniboine tribe territories.

The first post office in Pembina was established in 1851.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr That post office was the first one in North Dakota, and by 1860 Pembina was the most populous place in the state while it was still the Dakota Territory.

Today, Pembina still holds the title of the oldest town in North Dakota and oldest settlement of both North and South Dakota.

Andrew Filer/Flickr This town has become a charming, historic place with a population just shy of 600.

It is located along the Pembina River and Red River, both of which were important parts to making it such a busy trade hub back in the day.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

One of the best ways to discover Pembina’s history is by visiting it and the Pembina State Museum within the town.

ShanOC/Tripadvisor The state museum holds historic artifacts and a lot of information about the lengthy story this area has, from the Native American days all the way to the present. It serves as a snapshot of North Dakota’s history as a whole even though it surpasses North Dakota’s statehood by a century.

One of the coolest things about the Pembina State Museum and another reason to visit is the towering observation deck you can go up.

wonderal/Flickr Head up to an amazing viewpoint that’ll give you a sweeping view of the Pembina area. It’s worth the trip!

You can visit the Pembina State Museum at 805 ND-59, Pembina, ND. And, of course, you can simply visit Pembina and explore the area yourself!

Wikimedia

The town’s future site started with Fort Pembina, a trading post made in 1797 — just a couple decades after the United States became a country! It became the oldest settlement made by European settlers in both North and South Dakota. Technically, the fort wasn’t part of the United States until 1823 as they believed it wasn’t within the boundaries of the country. And even before all that, it was an important place for Native American tribes as it had the borders of Lakota, Chippewa, and Assiniboine tribe territories.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

That post office was the first one in North Dakota, and by 1860 Pembina was the most populous place in the state while it was still the Dakota Territory.

Andrew Filer/Flickr

This town has become a charming, historic place with a population just shy of 600.

ShanOC/Tripadvisor

The state museum holds historic artifacts and a lot of information about the lengthy story this area has, from the Native American days all the way to the present. It serves as a snapshot of North Dakota’s history as a whole even though it surpasses North Dakota’s statehood by a century.

wonderal/Flickr

Head up to an amazing viewpoint that’ll give you a sweeping view of the Pembina area. It’s worth the trip!

Pembina may be the oldest town in the Peace Garden State, but it’s not the only one with rich history. Here are more historic towns in the state you can visit.

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