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:
We’re aware that these uncertain times are limiting many aspects of life. While we continue to feature destinations that make our state wonderful, please take proper precautions or add them to your bucket list to see at a later date. If you know of a local business that could use some extra support during these times, please nominate them here: onlyinyourstate.com/nominate
Head out to the middle of nowhere to find this quiet resting stop in central North Dakota.
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.
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!
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.
Leah moved to North Dakota when she was 12 years old and has traveled from the Red River Valley to the badlands and many places in between. She loves small-town life and currently enjoys living on a small farm in the ND prairie. She's always had a passion for writing and has participated in novel writing challenges such as NaNoWriMo multiple times. Her favorite part about this job is recognizing small businesses that deserve a boost and seeing the positive affect her articles can have on their traffic, especially in rural areas that might have otherwise gone overlooked.
Love North Dakota?
Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!
