New Town

North America, United States of America, North Dakota,

Description

New Town is a city in Mountrail County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 1,925 at the 2010 census. New Town was platted in 1950 as a replacement site for the residents of Sanish and Van Hook Township, as these towns were scheduled to be flooded by the creation of Lake Sakakawea, a reservoir to provide water for irrigation.It is the largest city and the administrative center of the Fort Berthold Reservation. New Town is home to Fort Berthold Community College. New Town is located on State Highway 23 at the crossing of Lake Sakakawea by the Four Bears Bridge. The city has recreation for all seasons, including fishing, boating, water skiing, and trails for hiking.
In the fall of 1953, school opened for New Town students. The New School was ready in September 1954 and dedicated April 15, 1955. The first scheduled train arrived at New Town on September 22, 1953 By 1955, the town had grown to approximately 1,400 residents.
The discovery of oil in this part of North Dakota led to the development of oil fields in the vicinity. Many new workers were attracted to the community and, with work on the new bridge, roads, and construction in the town, jobs were plentiful. The bridge across the reservoir was completed in October 1955. It was named Four Bears after two great Indian chiefs, a Mandan and a Hidatsa, who bore the same name.
This information was gathered from the book 'New Town 1951-1976' by James McMaster, editor of the New Town News in 1976.