Things to do

“Three destinations that make a great half-day excursion are The Fortuna Air Base, Alkabo School and Writing Rock on the western edge of Divide County. Start your tour at the base, four miles west of Fortuna on ND 5, then turn south on Co. Road 5, just west of the base, to travel about 2.3 miles to the town of Alkabo, where a school has been lovingly maintained. After your tour, continue 6 miles South on Co. Road 5 and turn East one mile to Writing Rock State Historic Site. And don’t forget your picnic basket!”

FORTUNA RADAR BASE
14445 Hi. 5 NW
Fortuna, ND 58844

The Fortuna Radar Station stood sentinel against potential attack from Russian bombers during the Cold War, one cog in a line of dozens of similar outposts on the lookout for enemy incursions over the polar ice cap. At the height of the mission, as many as 300 service members and their families lived and worked at or near the base, which was decommissioned in the early 1980s. A private salvage operation, and a later reclamation project by the county, has removed many of the buildings, but the massive 35 tower still stands, minus its once gigantic radar “sail.” In 2017, the county dedicated a marker and map showing the original configuration of the base and saluting the men and women who served there. The site is located along ND 5, 4 miles west of Fortuna, with the pullout accessible mostly year round.

DIVIDE COUNTY PIONEER VILLAGE & MUSEUM
412 5th Ave. SW
Crosby, ND 58730

Every third weekend in July the hiss and pop of rare antique steam tractors thrills a crowd of thousands, but you can walk the grounds of Crosby’s Pioneer Village any day to see many original structures from Divide County’s past, as well as some of the farm machinery used in the “old days.” The Divide County Museum is also open by appointment, by calling 701.641.6406.

ALKABO SCHOOL
14532 100th St. NW
Grenora, ND 58845

Lovingly maintained by former students, the Alkabo School building is the most prominent architectural feature in this community of less than a dozen people. Original furnishings and learning materials from ornate school desks to old maps, books and musical instruments populate several classrooms. A subterranean gymnasium echoes with the cheers of basketball contests once staged there. The Alkabo School was constructed in 1934 and has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 2010. The building is open all year.

DIVIDE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
200 N. Main St.
Crosby, ND 58730

The Divide County Courthouse is a jewel on the prairie. The interior is ornately decorated with original works of art, stained glass and elaborate mosaic floors. Gaze up from the rotunda to see panels depicting scenes from our pioneer past. In the courtroom, Lady Justice holds the scales, presiding over original oak furnishings in service for more than 100 years. The building was constructed in 1917 by Buechner and Orth --Two architects who designed similar (though not all as ornate) projects across North Dakota. The Courthouse has been listed on the National Register of Historic places since 1981. In 2017, a new annex was dedicated. More original furnishings can be seen in the main floor breezeway between the old and new wings. The courthouse is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. most weekdays and anchors Crosby's Main Street.

WRITING ROCK STATE HISTORIC SITE
14405 94th St. NW
Fortuna, ND 58844

Plains Indians visited Writing Rock for its ability to tell the future. Today, you can see these carved petroglyphs beneath a modest shelter, the walls built of native field stone by residents who wanted to preserve this monolith. A second smaller stone was also found in the area and is included in the enclosure. Bring your picnic basket and enjoy an afternoon. This State Historic site includes picnic shelters and old-time playground equipment for the kids and a nearly 360 degree view of the surrounding prairie. Writing Rock is located on Co. Road 5, about 6 miles south of Alkabo and 15 miles north of Grenora. Winter time access is dependent on road conditions.

CROSBY COUNTRY CLUB
10765 Co. Rd. 15
Crosby, ND 58730 Golfing Photo

The Crosby Country Club is a nine-hole golf course. Grass Greens, water-fed fairways and a full-service clubhouse make this a great place for golfers and tee-times are rarely necessary.
Cross Country Skiing Photo

During the winter months, the Crosby Country Club is the perfect set up to enjoy some outdoor Cross Country Skiing. Skis are available to rent from the Crosby Park District 701.965.2650.