Shields, North Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shields, North Dakota
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Post contract station in Shields
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| Nickname(s):
"The Gateway City to Southern Grant County"
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 Shields, North Dakota
Location in North Dakota
Shields, North Dakota
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | North Dakota |
| County | Grant |
| Elevation | 1,808 ft (551 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
58569
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| Area code(s) | 701 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1032061 |
Shields is a small, unincorporated community located in Grant County, North Dakota, United States. It was founded in 1896 by Nathaniel J. Shields, his wife Mary, and their four children. At its busiest in 1920, Shields had about 250 residents. The community sits about 1,808 feet (551 meters) above sea level. It has its own post office with the ZIP code 58569.
History of Shields
Shields officially began on September 16, 1896. This is when Nathaniel J. Shields opened a rural post office in his sod home. The Shields family, including their four children Mark, Arthur, Maude, and Laura, were among the first to live in this area. They arrived in the 1880s, when it was still known as the Dakota Territory.
Nathaniel Shields built the St. James Catholic Church in 1890. He also helped build other important buildings. In 1891, the government recognized Shields as a village. In 1901, the town moved about two miles south, closer to the Cannonball River.
Growth and Decline
Shields grew in its early years. By the 1920s, its population reached 250 people. The community proudly called itself "The Gateway City of Southern Grant County." By 1923, all the original sod homes were replaced with wooden houses.
Some famous Native Americans like Rain-in-the-Face, Chief Gall, and Sitting Bull once lived near or in Shields. However, the population of Shields began to shrink. By 1950, only 99 people lived there. In 2002, reports said only 15 people called Shields home.
Around the 1990s, the old school building was expanded and turned into a Bar and Grill. The school building was torn down in 2014. However, the Shields Bar is still open today, and it is the only business left in the community. By 2018, the number of people living in Shields was estimated to be less than 10.
2002 Wildfire
On July 1, 2002, a large wildfire swept through Shields. This fire destroyed about 30 buildings. It also forced 15 families to leave their homes. People believed the fire started when lightning struck dry fields.
After the fire, the Bismarck Tribune newspaper published a headline that asked, "Is this the end of Shields?" The local sheriff was quoted saying, "There is no more Shields." However, one person who lived there told the newspaper that the community would recover.
Climate in Shields
The weather in Shields changes a lot throughout the year. Summers are usually warm to hot, and often humid. Winters are cold, and sometimes very cold. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Shields has a humid continental climate. This type of climate is shown as "Dfb" on climate maps.
