Hartland, North Dakota facts for kids

Hartland is what we call a ghost town in Ward County, North Dakota, United States. It's located west of Carpio and north of Berthold. A ghost town is a place where people used to live and work, but now almost no one does.

The Story of Hartland

Hartland was a small village that started in 1907. A local person named Martin D. Johnson gave the village its name. He named it after his birthplace, Hartland Township in Iowa.

What Hartland Looked Like

By 1912, Hartland had several important buildings. These included a machinery shop and a blacksmith shop. There was also a pool hall, a general store, and a bank. Other businesses were a hardware store and a lumber yard. People lived in homes like the M.D. Johnson home and the Iver Canton home.

The village also had a livery and feed stable, which later became Vedvig Garage. There was a grocery store that also served as the post office. Hartland had a hotel, an office, and the Zion Lutheran Church. A one-room school house was also part of the community.

Hartland's Post Office and Population

The post office in Hartland opened on March 23, 1908. Some local stories say the town's name was chosen to show it was the "heart" of the area. Hartland's population was highest in 1920, with about 150 people. However, by 1940, fewer than 100 people lived there. Eventually, by the year 2000, the town had fewer than 10 residents. The post office closed its doors on May 6, 1966.

Buildings on the Move

Some of Hartland's buildings were moved over time. The grocery store building, for example, was first moved from Foxholm, North Dakota, to Hartland. Later, it was turned into a home. This house was then moved again to Berthold, North Dakota, where people still live in it today.

The Zion Congregation church was built in 1910. Its last services were held in 1969. In 1972, the church building was moved to Kenmare Pioneer Park.