Historical building projects are ongoing in area

There are a number of historical buildings in the area.

Individuals and historical societies have been working on keeping up or renovating them.

Putnam House Carrington, N.D.

Located at 533 Main St., the imposing building was built between 1903 and 1907 by a lumber magnate from the east, Thomas Nichols Putnam.

The historical building was purchased by the Foster County Historical Society in 2001. Since then, with community help, the society has been carrying out its renovation in phases, said Henry Gussiaas, society president.

While that goes on, the building also is being used as a cultural events center for community use, said Alison Schuman, coordinator of Putnam House.

“We do the renovation work as, and when, we manage to get funds,” she said.

Central High School Devils Lake

The old school building in Devils Lake is another historical building being rehabilitated with the help of the community, said Mary Kate Ryan, architectural historian with the State Historical Society of North Dakota.

According to Barb McCormick of the Devils Lake Historic Preservation Commission, the Central building was included in the National Registry of Historical Places in 2003.

The building was constructed in 1883 and currently is owned by the Devils Lake School District. It is known for its architectural beauty.

Under the guidance of the Devils Lake Historic Preservation Commission, the school board is working on the old school’s renovation to preserve the building for years to come.

Bathgate Catholic Church Pembina, N.D.

An 1878 Catholic church from Bathgate, N.D., was moved last year to the Pembina County Historical Grounds at Icelandic State Park, west of Cavalier, N.D. It joins several other area historic structures on those grounds.

The Catholic church is being renovated with the help of financial aid from the Diocese of Fargo. A new roof has been added and new carpet soon will follow.

Plans call for returning pictures, statues, candles and other items from the old church to their original place.

Other efforts in the area

Some efforts to restore historic buildings are proceeding faster than others.

Several buildings in Rolette County are waiting for renovation and rehabilitation help. Gerald Fagerlund, secretary of the Rolette County Historical Society, said the structures include a church, a school and an immigration building in the town of Rollette.

“We have had several efforts to get public support or grants from other sources, but have not succeeded so far,” Fagerlund said.