Roberts County / Richland County, North Dakota

The line this pair straddles is stone as well as asphalt. Surveyor Charles L. Bates of Yankton began marking the border between the two new states on September 19, 1891, and set the last monument on August 2, 1892, about 380 miles west. Roughly 720 posts of Sioux quartzite stand along it, each cut N.D. on the north face and S.D. on the south. Across the line, Richland County was created on January 4, 1873 and named for Morgan T. Rich, who settled in 1869 where Wahpeton stands; it counted 16,529 people in 2020.

What the plaque says

You are entering Roberts County South Dakota Long the home of Sisseton, Wahpeton & Cuthead Yanktonaise Sioux, it became part of Deuel & Cheyenne Counties in 1862; Deuel ex- tending N to 46th parallel (4 miles N) in 1872. The Reservation ex- tending S to Lake Kampeska in a giant flatiron was established in 1867. Grant County included the part SE of the Reservation from 1873 to 1883, when Roberts County, named for S. G. Roberts, Territorial Councilman of Fargo, was created. Org. Aug. 6, 1883 by Frederick Dittes, Charles Crissey, Indian Agent and Reuben R. Hall, at Dittes' Residence, Travare 2 miles SW of Browns Valley was named county seat. In 1884 Wilmot won the election but, losing two court actions, stole the records and it was named by 1885 Legislature as county seat. It in turn lost an election in 1898 to Sisseton, who, fearing court action, in turn stole the records to again win approval in the 1900 election. White settlement on the Reservation came in 1892 and the railroad to Sisseton in 1893. Post offices were: Sisseton Agency, 1872; Wilmot, 1881; White Rock, 1885; Corona, 1886; Summit, Sisseton and Effington, 1892. Rosholt, Victor, Hammer, Claire City, 1914, when the Soo Line entered the county. With great historic background (see giant map at Sisseton) many lakes, wonderful vistas from its high coteau, a pictur- esque and fruitful countryside, Roberts County welcomes you. Erected 1957 by Roberts County Commissioners Hull, Christofferson, Helgeson, Dybdahl and Dickenson You are about to enter Richland County, North Dakota the southerly 4 miles of which was once in Roberts County which you are leaving. It has a notable history, splendid terrain and a fine citizenry. Erected 1957 by Roberts County Commissioners Hull, Christofferson, Helgeson, Dybdahl and Dickenson

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• The Continental Divide — 21 mi
• Ancient River Warren Channel — 25 mi
• Travare — 25 mi
• Stones from Log Flour Mill — 28 mi