North Dakota Governor's Residence facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Governor's Residence of North Dakota |
|
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Type | House |
| Architectural style | Prairie School Style |
| Location | 1151 N 4th St, Bismarck, North Dakota |
| Construction started | 2016 |
| Completed | 2018 |
| Governing body | Friends of the Residence |
| Technical details | |
| Floor area | 13,700 sq ft (1,270 m2) |
The North Dakota Governor's Residence is the official home for the governor of North Dakota. It is located on the southwest side of the North Dakota State Capitol grounds in Bismarck. This building is the third official home built for North Dakota's governors.
The First Governor's Home (1893-1960)
The very first governor's home was built in 1884. It was originally a private house for a businessman named Asa Fisher. He made his money in banking and real estate.
In 1893, the state bought this house for $5,000. It became the official home for North Dakota's governors from 1893 until 1960. Twenty different governors lived there during that time.
In 1975, the state decided to give the house to the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The house was then fixed up to look just like it did in 1893. It opened to the public as a historic site in 1983. Today, you can visit it as a museum.
The Second Governor's Home (1960-2018)
By 1955, the first governor's home was getting old and needed many repairs. So, the North Dakota legislature approved $200,000 to build a new one.
Construction on this second home started in 1959 and finished in 1960. Governor John Davis was the last governor to live in the old 1884 mansion. He was also the first to move into this new residence.
Most governors who were in office during this home's existence lived there. However, Allen I. Olson chose not to move in. He felt the house was too small for his family. In 2000, much of the home was updated.
On May 18, 2018, this 1960s-era governor's home was taken down. No one offered to buy and move the building. The area where it stood is now a green space next to the current governor's home.
The Current Governor's Home (2018-Present)
In 2015, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly decided it was time for another new governor's home. They approved up to $4 million from special funds and up to $1 million from private donations. This money was for tearing down the second home and building a new one on the same spot.
The second home had big problems with its structure and safety. It also did not meet modern accessibility rules for people with disabilities. Fixing it would have cost almost $3 million, and that still wouldn't have solved the accessibility issues. So, building a brand new home, along with a special visitor's area for events, seemed like a better use of money.
Governor Jack Dalrymple signed the bill for the new home on April 29, 2015. Work on the ground began in September 2016. After some delays and budget increases, the governor's family moved into the new residence in March 2018.
