Rock Township, Benson County, North Dakota

Rock Township is a civil township in Benson County, North Dakota, United States. As of the 2000 census, its population was 39. [cite American Factfinder|twp|3800567300|general|Rock Township]

Early History

The unique thing about Rock Township is that its land area is almost all on the Fort Totten Indian Reservation. The area around Rock Township was already being homesteaded in the 1880's, but the Reservation wasn't open until 1904. This came about through an agreement between the Sioux tribe and James McLaughlin. The opening of the reservation to homesteaders was proclaimed by Theodore Roosevelt on June 2, 1904. By 1905 there were so many children that a school had to be built in the town. Plainview School District Number 31 was approved in October. In 1910 the residents of Township 151-66 came together to try to form a civil township.A petition was presented to the county commissioners that year. The petition wanted the township to be named Plainview. The petition was approved, but another township in the state was named Plainview. Local business man Alf Garnass then suggested that the township be named "Rock" for very obvious reasons. Rock Township was born.

Later History

Human power and horses were the only power at one time. Often snowstorms would leave people stranded in their homes. But there was still fun. House parties were popular. Accordion music and card games were also popular. Whist was especially popular. By 1920 about 35 children attended the Plainview School No. 1. Soon two more schools were added. Plainview No. 2 and No. 3. With the coming of the telephone things started to improve. The depression also came to this North Dakota farming area. Cars came, and then finally electricity. In 1953 there were not enough students to operate the Plainview School. Students were transported in the beginning to Sheyenne by their parents and their tuition was being paid by Plainview School District, but then after Sheyenne's reorganization about 1960, School District 31 combined with the Sheyenne School District and enjoyed bus service. Many shelterbelts were planted. By that time tractors had improved and eventually the combines did too. Rock Township purchased Plainview School No. 3 and moved it to the site of School No. 1. The residents converted it into a township hall.The Rocks and Rills Homemakers turned the area around the township hall into a rest area along U.S. Route 281. Since then the building has been burned.

Today

The township has changed considerably in the past couple of decades. Many of the original farmhouses have been abandoned. Several family farms still continue to operate successfully.Crops and livestock can be seen around the entire township. The southern part of the township also offers amazing views of the Sheyenne River.

Roads in Rock Township

At one time the roads in Rock Township were extremely poor.Roads eventually improved. At one time the main road from Sheyenne to Devils Lake was the "Sunshine Trail". The only marking for the road was the letter "s" on a piece of tin nailed to a post. Later it was named Highway No. 4, and later the road was rebuilt and renamed U.S. Route 281.

References

ee also

*Oberon, North Dakota