Flora, North Dakota is in Benson County, about 40 miles southwest of Devils Lake. According to North Dakota Place Names by Douglas A. Wick, it’s an unincorporated community which had only 8 residents as of 1982. Former resident Kevin K. tells us there are now three remaining residents. Flora had a Post Office for 70 years, from 1901 to 1971, when it was closed and mail went to Maddock. Flora was originally known as Schuyler.
We took these photos in 2008.
The owner of this church has taken the care to install a steel roof, which probably extended the life of this place by decades. Awesome.
Photos by Troy Larson and Terry Hinnenkamp
Ghosts of North Dakota 
Great photos. Any plans for Ghosts 2, the book?
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There will be a Volume II, hopefully in time for Christmas.
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People still live in flora and there is still a business hasn’t died yet!
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my family farmed south of Heaton. We found Flora the only place we could get
parts for our A.C. combine.
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Pope’s Allis Chalmers was in Flora. My namesake lived there: George Wilson and his wife Inanda. Their grandson would become Attorney General of North Dakota: Nick Spaeth.
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I grew up in Oberon. Knew a fellow, Howard Peterson from Minnesota who used to travel the area for GTA. He said he always planned to move to Flora when he retired. He never did, stayed in MN. He knew more about the history of ND than anyone else I knew, but he never lived there.
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I would love to go from ghost town to ghost town restoring every one of those beautiful churches…..
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My Dad & Mom picked up and delivered mail to Flora during the 60’s, 70’s. I remember the postmaster as a man with the last name of Pope, who was working on patenting a 6 wheel all terrain vehicle. He gave me a ride in it, as he lived across the street from the post office.
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Beautiful photos! My mom grew up in the grey house, second to last photo posted. She was the 3rd youngest of 17! Can you imagine all those kids in such a small house!?! My uncle currently owns the church and uses it for storage. I was baptized here 33 years ago. I was inside the church a few years ago, the radio was on, I was surprised it still had electricity.
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hearts and flowers to you for this post 🙂
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Hi, I was in Maddock on Tuesday and decided to find another way back to New Rockford where I live. I looked on the map and saw Flora and decided to check it out. I sat in my car and took a few pictures as I had my 2 year old grandson with me. I would love to see the inside of the church do you think your uncle would show it to me sometime?
I’ve only lived in ND just about 2 years and love it here.
Thanks for reading my post.
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That would be Richard “Dick” Pope, he was married to my grandmother’s sister, Shelena Nelson from Leeds. Spent quite a bit of time in Leeds and Flora when I was a youngster.
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Does anyone remember/know of a WWII fighter pilot from Flora, Captain Merle J. Gilbertson, or know of the family? His hometown is listed as Flora. Here is a copy of a picture of Captain Gilbertson taxiing his P-51, “Smokey.”
http://www.littlefriends.co.uk/gallery.php?Group=20&Style=item&origStyle=list&Item=11&Temp=11
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Merle Gilbertson was a WWII fighter pilot. Flew with 8th Air Force out of England escorting bombers to targets over Germany. Became an ace. Wounded once while strafing parked German fighters an explosion blew part of the canopy off his plane and he received a scratch below one eye requiring a band aid. Highly decorated including the Silver Star. First flew a P-38 Lockheed Lightning “Diamond Lil”. Then to p-51’s like “Smokey” and then one named “Sad Sack”. Promoted to Major and later to Lt. Col. but was killed in a Jet aircraft accident when the engine failed it is speculated the canopy struck him in the head when he ejected and his chute never opened. The effective date of his promotion came after he was killed so his rank today remains Major.
Merle was my 1st cousin. My sons farm the land on which he grew up. His brother Harley was the last surviving member of the family. He died in 2013 at age 89.
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Jimmy, do you know where Merle is buried?
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Visited the Flora church today and the aforementioned radio was on. Anyone care to venture a guess as to why?
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This is fascinating.
Some of my family genealogy says my great grandmother was born here, but her account says she was born NW of minnewaukan called the rising place.
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Lived in Flora from I believe 1957 to 1959 in a house across the street from the church and kitty corner from the school. My Father managed the grain elevator there during that time. My brother was born in 1957 in the hospital at Maddock. My mother was baptized in that Church.
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Would love to see some photos of the interior of the church. My grandparents were married in Flora and my great-grandparents are buried in the cemetery.
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Can anyone tell me who Flora is named for?
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Is there anywhere close by to stay in my motorhome while exploring Flora? We are self-contained and need no hookups, a field or empty parking area are fine. Thanks!
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