Posted in North Dakota June 02, 2018 by

This Threshing Machine Graveyard In North Dakota Is Truly Something To Marvel Over

North Dakota has always been an agriculturally driven state. Farmers have been farming here for more than a century, and during that time technology has changed. We’ve gone from horse-drawn plows to satellite-driven, driverless tractors. But what happened to all those old machines from the far off yesteryear, what are now like dinosaurs to today’s technology? You can actually find an unusual yet fascinating collection of them in one particular spot in the Peace Garden State, and here’s where:

Head out to the middle of nowhere to find this quiet resting stop in central North Dakota.
Google maps
This unique roadside attraction is located near Napoleon, North Dakota along Highway 34.
It is called "Dinosaurs on the Prairie," and that's a pretty fitting description once you see it.
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
The dinosaurs they are talking about aren't from prehistoric times, but a handful of decades ago. They are threshing machines, once widespread and in use all over the state but now made obsolete. One man made it his own goal to collect these forgotten, broken down machines and put them on this piece of property up against a ridge in the most peculiar yet oddly beautiful way.
The threshing machines wind their way up "Custer's Ridge," almost like ants up an anthill. It is like a work of art and is beautiful to behold from the top.
Isern1952/Tripadvisor
The man who formed this collection is called John "Custer" Grenz, hence the name Custer's Ridge. He has collected the threshing machines over the years, some as far back as being placed here in the 1940s. Today you can visit them yourself. If you do visit, please remember that this is private property and should be respected.
A trek all the way to the top is well worth it, passing by these dinosaurs when you know the impact on North Dakota's history they had. The view from the summit is impressive, too!
Rio B/Tripadvisor

Have you ever seen anything like this? It’s truly an only in North Dakota place! It would be interesting to see these threshing machines in their prime back when they were still in use and to experience the state’s farming at that time. We don’t have any time machines yet, but you can check out these vintage photographs that show ND’s rich history in agriculture.