Sunday, September 27, 2026

Bonanzaville

During the boom years of the bonanza farms there were almost one hundred large farms in Dakota territory that ranged from 3,000 acres to 200,000 acres. Many were owned by corporations and operated as businesses employing thousands of seasonal workers and growing only one crop - wheat. All of it was made possible by the fertile soil, good weather, and modern farming techniques and equipment -  which also led to the demise of the farms. The soil became overworked, droughts lasted years, and an overabundance of wheat glutted the market. Bonanza farms that formed in the 1880s, peaked around 1883-1884, and started going downhill in 1910. 

Bonanzaville is a collection of 40 buildings- some new, built to house collections; others, from the late 1800s and early 1900s, relocated to the site. There's also a museum with exhibits on local history, bonanza farms, and the people who lived and worked on them. 

About six of the buildings are accessible. Most of the others have steps or high thresholds. 

The parking lot is large enough for any vehicle.  Museum  46.87651, -96.92974



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