Hamilton, North Dakota is in Pembina County and is home to the Pembina County Fair. It still has a substantial population and is in no danger of becoming a ghost town any time soon — according to the 2010 Census, there are 61 residents. But there are some cool abandoned structures to photograph, most notably, the Hamilton Baptist Church.
We visited Hamilton on a day when the skies were filled with haze which diffused the otherwise bright summer sun and created a somewhat dreamy effect.
Photos by Troy Larson and Terry Hinnenkamp, copyright Sonic Tremor Media LLC
//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js // <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]>
Ghosts of North Dakota 
are you interested in selling the church?
LikeLike
Hi Nancy, this is Ken Vistad … how are you doing? Call me 509 216 7421
LikeLike
Got my dad a copy of the book for his birthday a few weeks ago. Recently was out visiting him in western ND and got to see the book. Great job. He and his friend are planning to go see if they can find all the sights in the book. Keep up the good work.
LikeLike
I used to work at the fair grounds when I was in high school. that town would burst at the seams when the fair came to town.
Local legend says that when the county was founded the leaders of Hamilton and Cavalier had to decide who would host the county fair grounds and who would host the county court house. They debated and ended up flipping a coin and Cavalier won the toss making it the county seat. ha ha ha
LikeLike
Wives tale – although Hamilton made some overtures about becoming county seat when the movement was underway to remove it from Pembina (1910) , the fair had long been an established part of Hamilton’s history (1894-5). The fair itself originated in Bathgate prior to Hamilton – and there had also been a “Tri-County Fair” at Crystal.
LikeLike
The pictures of Hamilton brought back some wonderful memories. I lived there as a teen from 1948 to 1951. Could not think of a better place to spend my early youth. BTW, I got my first adult kiss on the steps of that church. Cherish it still.
LikeLike
When you lived there, did you happen to know Kermit and Myrtle Craig? They were my aunt and uncle. I would love to learn more about any connections.
LikeLike
I knew them very well as my next door neighbors. Kermit, a very hard working farmhand. Myrtle knew everything going on in town. Always a big garden. I even mowed their yard. I remember Kermit’s big green pick-up.
LikeLike
Kermit and Myrtle Craig were my aunt and uncle too.
LikeLike
Did anyone know the Enerson’s, My grandparents Emil and Grace, or any other family members?
LikeLike
Is there a published history of Hamilton? Am looking to find when this town first got electricity – for sure it was before 1927.
LikeLike
Hamilton was the birthplace of Cabot Yerxa, an adventurer and founder of Desert Hot Springs, CA. He had a colorful career. There is a school in Desert Hot Springs named after him and a museum of his home.
LikeLike
Down the road is what’s left of Glasston. Wonder if there’s anything left there to photograph.
LikeLike
Wives tale – although Hamilton made some overtures about becoming county seat when the movement was underway to remove it from Pembina (1910) , the fair had long been an established part of Hamilton’s history (1894-5). The fair itself originated in Bathgate prior to Hamilton – and there had also been a “Tri-County Fair” at Crystal.
LikeLike
My earlies memories (1944-45 ish) Saturday nights grocery shopping in Paxman’s store, ice creame at Hallard Argue’s gen. mdse. store, and first movie in town hall? Hamilton Fair was the hight of summer social season. My parents Joseph & Amelia Collins & bro. Larry farmed 5 mi. south and 2 mi. East of town. Great memories.
LikeLike