Belden, North Dakota

Belden is a ghost town located in Sikes Township in Mountrail County, North Dakota, United States. It is located along North Dakota Highway 8 between Stanley and the former town of Van Hook.^[1] The village was founded in 1904, and was reportedly named for W. L. Belden, North Dakota's Indian agent at-large who was stationed at Fort Berthold Indian Reservation at the time.^[2]

History

Belden was founded in 1904 by Finnish settlers when the area was still part of Ward County.^[3]^[4] The village never exceeded a population of more than 25. The post office was established in 1904 as well, and operated continuously until 1986 with the ZIP code of 58715. The Belden Store was considered a local landmark.^[2] Today, Belden has a population of about 20, with a couple of young families growing the number over the past decade.^{[citation needed]}

References

^ U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Belden, North Dakota
^ ^a ^b Wick, Douglas A. (1988). North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Hedemarken Collectibles. p. 14. ISBN 0-9620968-0-6. OCLC 191277027.
^ Williams, Mary Ann (Barnes) (1966). Origins of North Dakota Place Names. Bismarck, North Dakota: Bismarck Tribune, 1966. p. 205. OCLC 431626.
^ Patera, Alan H.; John S. Gallagher (1982). North Dakota Post Offices, 1850-1982. Burtonsville, Maryland: The Depot. pp. 99–101. OCLC 09763647.