North Dakota Historic Sites Finally Get Flush Toilets

A major infrastructure upgrade at North Dakota’s most popular historic sites is nearly complete as the State Historical Society achieves its goal of replacing pit toilets with modern flush facilities at a dozen staffed locations across the state. The latest milestone came at the Lawrence Welk Homestead near Strasburg, where visitors can now use proper restrooms while touring the childhood home of the famous bandleader who never had such amenities during his youth.

The ambitious toilet transformation project, which costs approximately $150,000 per installation, represents a practical acknowledgment that comfort matters when attracting tourists to remote historical locations, according to Associated Press.

Top Lists & Life Hacks You’ll Wish You Saw Sooner

Where History Happens Isn’t Always Convenient

Chris Dorfschmidt, a historic sites manager, captured the challenge facing historical preservationists with his observation that “history didn’t happen where it’s convenient.” Many of North Dakota’s 60 state historic sites are located in remote areas far from modern amenities, making visitor comfort a significant challenge for tourism officials.

The recent completion of flush toilet installations at the Welk Homestead coincided with the unveiling of a statue honoring the bandleader whose television variety show entertained audiences for decades starting in the 1950s. The timing was particularly appropriate, given that Welk himself grew up without the luxury of indoor plumbing that modern visitors now expect.

Strategic Investment in Tourism Infrastructure

The state’s systematic approach to restroom upgrades prioritized the dozen most popular and staffed historic sites, recognizing that visitor experience directly impacts tourism revenue. Two additional facilities are scheduled for completion by June 30: Whitestone Hill, site of an 1863 military attack against Native Americans, and Fort Buford, a military installation near the Missouri-Yellowstone river confluence.

Workers carefully designed each installation to harmonize with existing historical structures. At the Welk Homestead, located about 50 miles southeast of Bismarck, contractors matched the restroom’s exterior and interior colors to complement the house and farm buildings, ensuring the modern addition didn’t detract from the site’s historical authenticity, according to ABC News.

Diverse Historical Portfolio

North Dakota’s state historic sites encompass an remarkably diverse range of locations and experiences, from traditional museums and preserved homesteads to an underground nuclear launch facility. The collection includes simple commemorative plaques mounted on boulders in remote fields alongside elaborate preserved structures like the 26-room Chateau de Mores near Medora.

The Chateau, built in 1883 by the wealthy Marquis de Mores, represents one of the state’s most ambitious preservation projects. Located in the scenic Badlands region where a young Theodore Roosevelt once explored, the mansion now attracts tourists interested in both Gilded Age luxury and Western frontier history. Officials are considering flush toilet installations at this location as well.

Practical Limitations and Future Plans

Not every historic site will receive the flush toilet upgrade due to practical and financial constraints. Less-visited locations that lack full-time staff are unlikely to justify the substantial $150,000 investment required for each installation. These remote sites will continue to rely on existing facilities or portable alternatives during special events.

The toilet upgrade project reflects broader trends in heritage tourism, where visitor expectations have evolved significantly over recent decades. Modern tourists, particularly families with children and elderly visitors, increasingly expect basic comfort amenities even when visiting historically significant but geographically isolated locations.

Tourism Impact and Visitor Experience

Historic Sites Manager Rob Hanna emphasized the importance of creating positive visitor experiences that encourage repeat visits and positive word-of-mouth recommendations. The restroom upgrades are designed to be “a pleasant part of the experience” rather than a necessary but unpleasant interruption to historical education.

The state’s investment in modern sanitation facilities acknowledges that while historical authenticity remains important, practical visitor needs must be addressed to maintain viable tourism programs, according to WTOP News. The toilet transformation project ensures that North Dakota’s rich history remains accessible and enjoyable for contemporary visitors who appreciate both educational value and basic comfort during their explorations of the state’s fascinating past.

Trending Tips & Lists You’ll Kick Yourself for Missing