A few buildings are all that remain of the town that was once Danzig. In the extreme south central part of the state, Danzig is about halfway between Ashley and Wishek, southwest of Jamestown. The first Post Office was established in 1898 but it closed due to lack of development in 1903. During a brief boom, a Post Office was opened again in 1911. It closed in 1955. Danzig’s population never exceeded 100.
These photos were contributed by Jeff Baumann. Jeff’s comments: “There are 2 people living there now – Brian Dohn and his wife. He was very kind to let me take pictures last June. The only structures that are still standing are the Bank, 2 Grain elevators and I believe the lumber mill.”
Photos by Jeff Baumann, original content copyright © 2017 Sonic Tremor Media
Ghosts of North Dakota 
The B/W photo of the grain elevator is outstanding. Spectacular and sureal. I never get tired of these posts, North Dakota is beautiful.
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On the google earth photo, what are the squiggly lines in the pasture-like area on the center/right side? Also wondering if that is a motocross track near the top of that photo? You don’t give a geographic for Danzig. In what part of ND is it…or was it?
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It is a dirt bike track. I saw squiggly lines too. I’ll have to remember to ask my dad what he did! :). Danzig is located south of Wishek. South central ND.
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Here is link with a few pictures of Danzig, and some info from the author of a town history http://library.ndsu.edu/grhc/order/nd_sd/danzig.html
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A little further info I found on Danzig from Mcintosh County history –
“DANZIG: This little town was started in 1908. It is about in the center of the county and is half-way between Ashley and Wishek. It was a booming little town with a population of about 240 people in the 1940s. The town’s demise came about the time when the more modern automobile could take the residents to nearby towns to conduct their business. The post office was closed in 1955 and the school was closed in 1958. A few remaining buildings are in disrepair and will soon crumble and that will be the end of this little town”
About 3 cemteries are listed for Danzig, but no specific locations given. It had several churches and seemed to be a more substantial town than many ghosts..
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I remember when I was in the 7th grade @ Ashley School , our class along with the 8th grade class went to Danzig for a end of school year picnic. We played base ball, and toured all the buildings at that time.. We were allowed to go into the post office, it had all the little mail boxes, with the combination dials, the bank, a saloon, had the counter still in tact, dont remember what else, but we had an awsome time there, just exploring all the old buidings, had a picnic lunch of hot dogs, and trimmings, and just being out in the open space of Danzig.. Such memories..
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My mother was born in Danzig, 1918, lived in Ashley, then went west to California. she’s still living, at almost 93 years old. I’m going to share this website with her. Thanks so much.
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Does your mother have any memories of a baseball team in Danzig. Does she have any pictures?
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Hi Cindy,
My mother Otillia Pfeifle was born in 1917 on a farm very near to Danzig She passed away in 2006, but also had 4 siblings who moved to CA in the 1940’s & 50’s. They settled in Lodi & San Jose. The house she grew up in is still standing, but most of the roads are under water. I believe it is just west of Danzig, a rock house & the last time we were there, we had to walk about 1/2 mile from the north to get to it.
Hope to hear from you.
Sylvia
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I plan to check this place out this Mid-May. My friends and I have a keen interest in ghost towns and this town gave me a personal interest.
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When I was little, my family would go to Danzig every summer to go through the buildings. We found papers from our family members. I wish I knew who had them. I was told that my great grandfather was the banker.(don’t know if this is true). My grandmother went to Danzig school but eventually settled in Wishek. Love seeing the pics. I heard that someone had bought the place and wouldn’t let anyone on.
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My maternal Grandmother’s name is Emma Kemmet. My mother Wilma Rudolf was raised in Wishek and my father Clarence Boschee was raised in Lehr! We used to travel from WA State to Lehr and Wishek every year for summer vaca! I still order Wishek sausage every year to be shipped to me in WA!
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My father, Clarence E. Johnson, was born in Danzig on Oct. 14th, 1911 to Albert Johnson and Oline. Fonstad Johnson. They later moved to Lehr, ND where they owned and operated the Johnson Café. Clarence had three bothers, Henry,Art,,, and the youngest brother Robert, and I believe one sister who died while still very young.In those days every town had their own town band and Danzig,Lehr, and Wishek was no exception. Dad and his brothers were all in the band and they played engagements throughout the local area.He says they frequently crossed paths with the Lawrence Welk band when they first got started.
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Clarence Johnson – if you get this, we have a common Grandfather Oline’s father Mathias. If you are interested in sharing info for the family tree – I’ll give you everything I have as well.
Dianna
diannapenner@hotmail.com
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This was so interesting, it brought back many memories. My grandparents name was Wolf and they ran the train depot in Danzig for many years. I remember staying there for the summer and playing with siblings and cousin who lived on a farm there. My aunt was one on the first teachers there, I remember going and helping her get the old school house ready. My grandpa would get the mail from the train. My mom, Emelia Wolf was raised there. We use to travel from Napoleon for Thanksgiving..
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I had grandparents by the name of Wolf that were from Danzig, one being an Emelia.
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Emelia Wolf(schuchard) was my mother. She past away 3 years ago in Bismarck. Dollinger rings a bell. My brothers are Darold and Lyle and a sister Gloria
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My grandparents were Lenhardt & Edna Ritter. My mom was born in Danzig. “Dollingers” were from Ashley.
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Hmmm. Edna Ritter baked my wedding cake.
She & Lenhardt lived near Venturia. I’ve lost track of their son, Gary.
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Yes, your grandmother was EDna, my moms sister, She made my wedding cake. Your mom is Karma? She was an attendant at my wedding. We lost contact years ago. Now it is all fitting together.
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My father’s farm was one-half mile west of Danzig, ND. I attended the first and second grade in the school located in Danzig, which later became the golf club house, in Ashley, ND.
I remember riding along with my Dad to take grain to the elevator located in Danzig.
I also remember a trip, on the Soo Line, for all of the students who attended school in Danzig, to Wishek, ND, where we were met by our teacher, Mrs. Krien.
Great Memories!
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Does anyone know who now owns the property where the grain elevators sit? I am interested in buying some of the old equipment inside, if there is still anything left. If anyone has any information, you can reach me at (262) 313-8864. Thanks!
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Hello Brian, You might ask your question at the facebook page: German-Russian Country: Prairie Legacy (Tri-County Tourism Alliance). That page is specific to the three counties of Emmons, Logan and McIntosh, i.e., German-Russian County, and will likely be seen by someone who can give you an answer.
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Excellent, thank you, Carmen!
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The owner doesn’t want to sell. I’ve asked. 😦
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Ahh, OK…well, thanks for letting me know, Polly!
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My mother was born and raised on a farm in Ashley (1921). I was finally able to take a trip with her there in 2003 which was probably the best present I ever gave her as she passed away a year later. I was so excited to see where she was born and raised and so amazed that even on the old farm the out houses were still standing as well as the barn and the “summer house”. My cousin who still lives in ND was able to take us to Danzig – well what remained – and my mother told us stories of going there to “party”!! I guess there was a place to drink!!! I love history and this is quite amazing to me!!
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There is a letter (page 28) in the March 2016 edition of Reminisce Extra magazine written by Glenda Bonin of Tucson, AZ, concerning her mother Pearl Johnson, “…at a barn dance” in Danzig, ND in 1922, when Lawrence Welk and his music came to town. “He was a farm boy from nearby Strasburg…” Can anyone comment?
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My father was from Danzig, Clarence Wetzel. His father’s name was Jacob Wetzel. Anyone remember any of them?
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My grandfather is Wlbur Wetzel, the youngest brother. Son of Jacob Wetzel and Lydia Janke. You must be my mothers cousin.
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Yes, I remember Clarence Wetzel, son of Jacob Wetzel. There was also a Clarence Wetzel, son of Edward Wetzel. they are both my cousins.
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My Dad was Clarence’s brother Arthur (he died in 2016). We went to Danzig once when I was little, not much left but cool to see. I’d like to go out there again sometime
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Wasn’t there a short-lived chokecherry canning establishment there in recent years?
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Yes, I remember Clarence Wetzel, son of Jacob. He was 1 of 11 brothers. There were also 2 sisters. They were my cousins since my mother, Amanda Blessing, was a sister to Jacob. In the early 40’s we lived on a farm near Wishek. It was exciting to visit the Wetzels farm near Danzig since it was such a large family. They later moved to South Dakota and then returned to Lehr, ND. The last time I saw anyone from that family was in 2003 when I met Ruben in Wishek at a funeral for a mutual relative. There was another Clarence Wetzel, also a cousin, who was the son of Edward Wetzel.
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Yes, I remember Clarence Wetzel, son of Jacob Wetzel. He is my cousin.
Vernon Blessing
Park Ridge, IL
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My cousins, the Eszlingers held their family reunions in Danzig. I don’t know if they still do. The Eszlinger & Dobler families lived on farms in the Danzig area, & Danzig was the town where they shopped & went to church.
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My Dad, Arthur, would tell us stories of the fun they had in Danzig at dances and other gatherings. It’s too bad the brothers and sisters didn’t really stay in touch. I don’t know any of my Wetzel cousins!
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