Dakota Territory: Individual County Chronologies

Dakota Territory, South Dakota, and North Dakota: Individual County Chronologies

Dakota Territory Atlas of Historical County Boundaries

John H. Long, Editor; Peggy Tuck Sinko, Associate Editor; Peggy Tuck Sinko and Deborah Skok, Historical Compilers; Emily Kelley, Research Associate; Laura Rico-Beck, GIS Specialist and Digital Compiler; Peter Siczewicz, ArcIMS Interactive Map Designer; Robert Will, Cartographic Assistant.

ADAMS (Dakota Territory, proposed)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of ADAMS in present South Dakota from BROWN; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16^th sess., ch. 1, secs. 1, 12, 16/pp. 221–224)

ADAMS (N.D.)

17 Apr 1907 ADAMS created by North Dakota from HETTINGER; ADAMS not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 237–238)

24 Apr 1907 ADAMS fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 446)

ALBANY (Wyo.)

16 Dec 1868 ALBANY (Wyo.) created by Dakota Territory in present Wyoming from LARAMIE (Wyo.). Although Wyoming Territory had been created on 25 July 1868, Dakota Territory retained jurisdiction until 19 May 1869 when Wyoming Territory was officially organized. Error in the definition of ALBANY's western boundary was corrected 13 December 1869 by the Wyoming Territorial Legislature. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1868, 8th sess., ch. 28/p. 311; Trenholm, 1:84, 334; Whitehead, 198)

19 May 1869 Wyoming Territory became fully organized. ALBANY (Wyo.) became a county in Wyoming Territory; ALBANY eliminated from Dakota Territory. (Trenholm, 1:84, 334)

ALLRED (N.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 ALLRED (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct); ALLRED not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 4/p. 58)

10 Mar 1885 ALLRED (extinct) lost to WALLACE (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

02 Nov 1889 ALLRED (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS to gain all of ALLRED (extinct); gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 ALLRED (extinct) lost all territory to BILLINGS; ALLRED eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 ALLRED (extinct) re-created from BILLINGS when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 ALLRED (extinct) attached to WILLIAMS "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 71/p. 81)

16 Mar 1905 ALLRED lost all territory to McKENZIE; ALLRED eliminated, ending its attachment to WILLIAMS. (N. Dak. Laws 1905, 9th sess., ch. 73/p. 155; Hall, 236)

ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHARLES MIX and HUTCHINSON; ARMSTRONG not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 9/p. 32)

01 Oct 1879 ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original) lost all territory to HUTCHINSON; ARMSTRONG eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

ARMSTRONG (S.D., created as PYATT, extinct)

08 Mar 1883 PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), RUSK (now DEWEY), and STANLEY; PYATT not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 3, 7/pp. 28–29)

02 Nov 1889 PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

25 Feb 1893 PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to STANLEY “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

28 Feb 1893 PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

06 Jun 1895 PYATT renamed ARMSTRONG (extinct). (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 52/p. 59)

08 Nov 1898 ARMSTRONG (extinct) lost small area to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 41/p. 90; Early History of South Dakota Counties, 102)

by 1 Feb 1911 ARMSTRONG (extinct) lost to DEWEY and non-county area when boundaries were moved to run on federal land survey lines. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137; S. Dak. Rev. Code 1919, 1:142, 145)

01 Feb 1911 ARMSTRONG (extinct) lost to creation of ZIEBACH. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of ARMSTRONG (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of ARMSTRONG (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1953 ARMSTRONG lost all territory to DEWEY; ARMSTRONG eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1951, 32d sess., ch. 37/p. 38; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

ASHMORE (see POTTER, S.D.)

AURORA (S.D.)

01 Oct 1879 AURORA created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CRAGIN (Dakota Territory, extinct) and WETMORE (Dakota Territory, extinct); AURORA not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 10/p. 24)

29 Aug 1881 AURORA fully organized. (Andreas, 183)

17 Apr 1883 AURORA lost to creation of JERAULD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 23/p. 36)

02 Nov 1889 AURORA became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BARNES (N.D., created as BURBANK)

04 Jan 1873 BURBANK (now BARNES) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; BURBANK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 5/p. 51)

12 Jan 1875 BURBANK (now BARNES) lost to creation of TRAILL. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 32, sec. 1/p. 74)

14 Jan 1875 BURBANK renamed BARNES. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 30/p. 71)

05 Aug 1878 BARNES fully organized. (History of the Red River Valley, 2:700)

18 Feb 1881 BARNES lost to creation of GRIGGS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 41/p. 44)

02 Nov 1889 BARNES became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus a small area of North Dakota, from HANSON; BEADLE not fully organized, not attached. This county was located in a different part of the territory from the present BEADLE County, South Dakota created 1 October 1879. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 25/p. 35)

01 Oct 1879 BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original) lost to creation of BROWN; remainder of BEADLE reverted to Non-County Area (12); BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

BEADLE (S.D.)

01 Oct 1879 BEADLE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BURCHARD (Dakota Territory, extinct), CLARK, KINGSBURY, and SPINK; BEADLE not fully organized, not attached. This BEADLE County was located in a different part of the territory from BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original, extinct), which was eliminated on this date. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 12/p. 24)

26 Jul 1880 BEADLE fully organized. (Andreas, 145)

02 Nov 1889 BEADLE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BENNETT (S.D.)

03 Jun 1909 BENNETT created by South Dakota from LUGENBEEL (extinct), SHANNON, WASHABAUGH (extinct), and WASHINGTON (extinct); LUGENBEEL eliminated. BENNETT not fully organized, attached to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

02 Mar 1911 BENNETT lost to TODD. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 108/p. 138)

27 Apr 1912 BENNETT fully organized, detached from FALL RIVER. (HRS S. Dak., Bennett, 7; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

BENSON (N.D.)

09 Mar 1883 BENSON created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct) and RAMSEY; BENSON not fully organized, attached to GRAND FORKS "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 12/p. 19)

04 Jun 1884 BENSON fully organized, detached from GRAND FORKS. (North Dakota Blue Book, 446)

by 13 Mar 1885 BENSON gained from DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct) and RAMSEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 32/p. 269)

28 Apr 1885 BENSON lost to RAMSEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 32, sec. 3/p. 270; Hall, 213–214)

02 Nov 1889 BENSON became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

06 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized RAMSEY to gain from BENSON; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 130/p. 329)

BIG SIOUX (Minn. Territory, extinct)

23 May 1857 BIG SIOUX (Minnesota Territory, extinct) created by Minnesota Territory in present South Dakota from BROWN (Minn.). PIPESTONE (now ROCK, Minn.) attached to BIG SIOUX "for all judicial and elective purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14, secs. 5–6/p. 67)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. BIG SIOUX (Minnesota Territory) eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

BILLINGS (N.D.)

10 Feb 1879 BILLINGS created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) and Non-County Area (1); BILLINGS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 5/p. 19)

08 Mar 1883 BILLINGS lost to creation of BOWMAN and VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38/p. 56)

10 Mar 1885 BILLINGS gained from BOWMAN, exchanged with DUNN and VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

04 May 1886 BILLINGS fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

13 Mar 1887 BILLINGS gained from VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

02 Nov 1889 BILLINGS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS to gain from ALLRED (extinct), BOWMAN, McKENZIE, WALLACE (extinct), and part of Non-County Area (9); legislature also authorized STARK to gain from BILLINGS. Neither change took effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 BILLINGS gained all of ALLRED (extinct), BOWMAN, and McKENZIE; BILLINGS also gained part of WALLACE (extinct) and gained part of Non-County Area (9); ALLRED, BOWMAN, McKENZIE, and WALLACE eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 BILLINGS lost to re-creation of ALLRED (extinct), BOWMAN, McKENZIE, and WALLACE (extinct) when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

08 Nov 1904 BILLINGS gained all of BOWMAN; BOWMAN eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 67/p. 76; North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

10 Jun 1907 BILLINGS lost to re-creation of BOWMAN; BOWMAN was re-created by proclamation of the governor. (North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

19 Sep 1912 BILLINGS lost to creation of GOLDEN VALLEY. Vote authorizing this creation passed 837 to 756 in the general election held 8 November 1910, but litigation delayed this enactment until 19 September 1912 when the North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the vote. (Hall, 246–248; HRS N. Dak., Golden Valley, 2; "Pederson v. Board of Commissioners of Billings County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 23:547–555)

03 Nov 1914 BILLINGS lost to creation of SLOPE; vote to create SLOPE passed 740 to 356. (Hall, 248)

BLAINE (Dakota Territory, proposed)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of BLAINE in present North Dakota from CAVALIER, RAMSEY, and WALSH; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 4/p. 227)

BLUE EARTH (Minn.)

05 Mar 1853 BLUE EARTH (Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from DAKOTA (Minn.); included parts of present South Dakota and Minnesota. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1853, ch. 11, sec. 8/p. 33)

20 Feb 1855 BLUE EARTH (Minn.) exchanged with LE SUEUR (Minn.) and lost to creation of the following Minnesota counties: BROWN, FARIBAULT, FREEBORN, and STEELE. BLUE EARTH was eliminated from present South Dakota. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1855, ch. 6, secs. 4–7, 11, 19/pp. 23–26)

BON HOMME (S.D.)

05 Apr 1862 BON HOMME created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; BON HOMME not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 12/p. 242)

08 May 1862 HUTCHINSON attached to BON HOMME "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

02 Jun 1862 BON HOMME fully organized. (Andreas, 133, 148)

06 Jan 1864 BUFFALO and CHARLES MIX attached to BON HOMME "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

13 Jan 1871 BUFFALO and HUTCHINSON fully organized, detached from BON HOMME. Boundaries of BON HOMME redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

15 Sep 1879 CHARLES MIX fully organized, detached from BON HOMME. (Andreas, 174; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 BON HOMME became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BOREMAN (S.D., extinct)

08 Jan 1873 BOREMAN (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North and South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); BOREMAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 8/p. 46)

10 Feb 1879 BOREMAN (extinct) lost to MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

09 Mar 1883 BOREMAN (extinct) lost small area to creation of SCHNASSE (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 34/p. 51)

02 Nov 1889 BOREMAN (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. Boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel; BOREMAN lost territory to North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 BOREMAN (extinct) attached to CAMPBELL “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

02 Mar 1909 BOREMAN lost all territory to creation of CORSON; BOREMAN eliminated, ending its attachment to CAMPBELL. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

BOTTINEAU (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 BOTTINEAU created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; BOTTINEAU not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 3/p. 40; Hall, 183–184)

09 Mar 1883 BOTTINEAU lost to creation of WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 41/p. 61)

17 Jul 1884 BOTTINEAU fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

11 Mar 1887 BOTTINEAU gained from WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct), lost to creation of PIERCE, and lost to McHENRY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

02 Nov 1889 BOTTINEAU became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 BOTTINEAU gained from RENVILLE. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

BOWMAN (N.D.)

08 Mar 1883 BOWMAN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BILLINGS; BOWMAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38/p. 56)

10 Mar 1885 BOWMAN lost to BILLINGS and VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

02 Nov 1889 BOWMAN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS and STARK to gain all of BOWMAN; neither gain took effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 BOWMAN lost all territory to BILLINGS; BOWMAN eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 BOWMAN re-created from BILLINGS when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. BOWMAN implicitly gained part of Non-County Area (9) located between 46 degrees north latitude and the southern boundary of North Dakota, and gained a small strip along its eastern line, when the boundary was shifted from 103 degrees west longitude to the line between ranges 98 and 99. This placed the county boundaries on federal land survey lines. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 BOWMAN attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

08 Nov 1904 BOWMAN lost all territory to BILLINGS; BOWMAN eliminated, ending its attachment to STARK. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 67/p. 76; North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

10 Jun 1907 BOWMAN re-created from BILLINGS by proclamation of the governor; BOWMAN not fully organized, not attached. (North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

05 Jul 1907 BOWMAN fully organized. (Hall, 237; N. Dak. Rev. Code 1943, 1:495; North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

BRAMBLE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 BRAMBLE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; BRAMBLE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 12/p. 33)

01 Oct 1879 BRAMBLE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to MINER; BRAMBLE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

BROOKINGS (S.D.)

05 Apr 1862 BROOKINGS created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; BROOKINGS not fully organized, attached to MINNEHAHA "for judicial and election purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 16, sec. 3/p. 245)

13 Jan 1871 BROOKINGS lost to creation of HANSON; BROOKINGS fully organized, detached from MINNEHAHA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10, sec. 14/p. 407 and ch. 2/p. 559; Andreas, 160)

08 Jan 1873 BROOKINGS lost to creation of LAKE and MOODY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, secs. 2–3/p. 31)

02 Nov 1889 BROOKINGS became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BROWN (Minn.)

20 Feb 1855 BROWN (Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from BLUE EARTH (Minn.); included parts of present South Dakota and Minnesota. BROWN not fully organized, not attached. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1855, ch. 6, sec. 19/p. 26)

11 Feb 1856 BROWN (Minn.) fully organized. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1856, ch. 62/p. 98)

23 May 1857 BROWN (Minn.) lost to creation of nine Minnesota Territory counties, including BIG SIOUX (Minnesota Territory, extinct), MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory, extinct), PIPESTONE (now ROCK, Minn.), and ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.), all of which included parts of present South Dakota. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14/pp. 66–69)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. BROWN (Minn.) was eliminated from present South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

BROWN (S.D.)

01 Oct 1879 BROWN created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original, extinct) and MILLS (Dakota Territory, extinct); BROWN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 15/p. 26)

14 Sep 1880 BROWN fully organized. (Andreas, 138; Brown County Territorial Pioneers, 8)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of three new counties in present South Dakota, dependent on local referendum: EDGERTON to be created from BROWN and DAY; INMAN to be created from BROWN, McPHERSON, and part of Non-County Area (12); and McCAULEY to be created from BROWN, EDMUNDS, and part of Non-County Area (12). BROWN was also authorized to gain from DAY. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13/pp. 21–24; Brown County Territorial Pioneers, 11)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of ADAMS in present South Dakota from BROWN; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 1, secs. 1, 12, 16/pp. 221–224)

02 Nov 1889 BROWN became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 May 1862 BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; BRUGUIER not fully organized, attached to CHARLES MIX "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18, secs. 7–8/p. 249)

06 Jan 1864 BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to CHARLES MIX and to the creation of BUFFALO; BRUGUIER eliminated, ending its attachment to CHARLES MIX. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

BRULE (S.D.)

14 Jan 1875 BRULE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHARLES MIX; BRULE was fully organized, but in May 1875 the land was withdrawn from settlement by executive order of President Grant. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 31/p. 73)

Sep 1879 In September 1879, BRULE was fully organized. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 10)

09 Mar 1883 BRULE gained from BUFFALO. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 14/p. 24)

02 Nov 1889 BRULE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 LYMAN, PRATT (extinct), and PRESHO (extinct) attached to BRULE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

04 Jun 1891 BRULE gained American Island in the Missouri River from the Sioux Reservation [not mapped]. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 45/p. 106)

26 Jan 1893 Attachment of LYMAN to BRULE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 49/p. 78)

21 May 1893 LYMAN fully organized, detached from BRULE. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

11 Mar 1895 PRATT (extinct) and PRESHO (extinct) detached from BRULE, attached to LYMAN "for judicial purposes." (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

BUCHANAN (Iowa)

21 Dec 1837 BUCHANAN (Iowa) created by Wisconsin Territory from DUBUQUE (Iowa); included a small corner of present southeastern South Dakota between the Missouri and Big Sioux Rivers. BUCHANAN (Iowa) not fully organized, attached to DUBUQUE (Iowa) "for temporary purposes." (Wis. Terr. Laws 1837, no. 6, secs. 5–6/p. 134)

03 Jul 1838 The United States created Iowa Territory from Wisconsin Territory, encompassing all of Wisconsin Territory west of the Mississippi River, included all of present Iowa and parts of present Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. BUCHANAN (Iowa) became a county in Iowa Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 5, ch. 96[1838]/pp. 235–241)

17 Feb 1843 Most of BUCHANAN (Iowa) reverted to non-county area in Iowa Territory, including the small portion in present South Dakota; BUCHANAN eliminated from present South Dakota. (Iowa Terr. Rev. Stat. 1843, ch. 34/pp. 132–134)

BUFFALO (S.D.)

06 Jan 1864 BUFFALO created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory, extinct), CHARLES MIX, and non-county area; BUFFALO not fully organized, attached to BON HOMME "for judicial purposes" and to CHARLES MIX "for election and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

13 Jan 1871 BUFFALO gained from CHARLES MIX and non-county area, lost to creation of HANSON; BUFFALO included territory in present North and South Dakota. BUFFALO fully organized, detached from BON HOMME and CHARLES MIX. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

04 Jan 1873 BUFFALO lost to creation of BOTTINEAU, BURLEIGH, FRENCH (later DE SMET, Dakota Territory, extinct), GINGRAS (now WELLS), KIDDER, LOGAN, McHENRY, MOUNTRAIL, RENVILLE, ROLETTE, SHERIDAN, STEVENS (extinct), STUTSMAN, and WALLETTE (Dakota Territory, extinct). BUFFALO also lost to creation of Non-County Area (2) and Non-County Area (3). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., chs. 18, 20/pp. 39–44, 48–52)

08 Jan 1873 BUFFALO lost to creation of ASHMORE (now POTTER), CAMPBELL, EDMUNDS, FAULK, HAND, HUGHES, HYDE, McPHERSON, SULLY, and WALWORTH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16/pp. 30–38)

10 Jan 1873 BUFFALO lost to CHARLES MIX. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 17/p. 38)

09 Mar 1883 BUFFALO lost to BRULE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 14/p. 24)

17 Apr 1883 BUFFALO lost to creation of JERAULD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 23/p. 36)

02 Nov 1889 BUFFALO became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

BUFORD (N.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 BUFORD (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from WALLETTE (Dakota Territory, extinct); BUFORD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 6/p. 59)

02 Nov 1889 BUFORD (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 BUFORD (extinct) attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

02 Mar 1891 BUFORD lost all territory to creation of WILLIAMS; BUFORD eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6, 11/pp. 131–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

BURBANK (see BARNES, N.D.)

BURCHARD (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 BURCHARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; BURCHARD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 20/p. 35)

01 Oct 1879 BURCHARD (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to HAND and to the creation of BEADLE; BURCHARD eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

BURDICK (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Mar 1883 BURDICK (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HARDING; BURDICK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38/p. 56)

28 Feb 1889 BURDICK (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to HARDING; BURDICK eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 47/p. 73)

BURKE (N.D.)

12 Jul 1910 BURKE created by North Dakota from WARD. Vote authorizing this creation was held 3 November 1908, but litigation delayed the enactment until a North Dakota Supreme Court ruling of 3 June 1910 upheld the election results. The governor's proclamation created BURKE on 12 July 1910. BURKE not fully organized, not attached. ("Fitzmaurice v. Willis," in N. Dak. Rpts., 20:372–392; Hall, 241–246; North Dakota Blue Book, 447, 451; Pioneers and Progress, 10)

15 Jul 1910 BURKE fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 447; Pioneers and Progress, 10)

BURLEIGH (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 BURLEIGH created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; BURLEIGH not fully organized, not attached. Non-County Area (2) attached to BURLEIGH for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, secs. 16, 18/p. 44; Hall, 183–184)

16 Jul 1873 BURLEIGH fully organized. (Andreas, 191, Bauman and Jackman, 2)

10 Feb 1879 BURLEIGH gained from KIDDER, MERCER, MORTON, and Non-County Area (1); lost to creation of EMMONS and lost attached Non-County Area (2) to creation of EMMONS. Non-County Area (2) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

08 Feb 1881 BURLEIGH lost to MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 50/p. 57)

23 Feb 1881 BURLEIGH lost to MERCER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 49/p. 56)

08 Mar 1883 BURLEIGH lost to creation of McLEAN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 25/p. 38)

10 Mar 1885 BURLEIGH lost to KIDDER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 23/p. 255)

06 Apr 1885 BURLEIGH lost to McLEAN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 30/p. 264; Hall, 209–210)

02 Nov 1889 BURLEIGH became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

BUTTE (S.D.)

06 Mar 1883 BUTTE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from LAWRENCE and MANDAN (Dakota Territory, extinct); BUTTE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1, 6/pp. 25–27)

23 Jul 1883 BUTTE fully organized. (Andreas, 128)

28 Feb 1889 BUTTE gained from HARDING. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 47/p. 73)

02 Nov 1889 BUTTE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 CHOTEAU (extinct), DELANO (extinct), MARTIN (extinct), RINEHART (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE. EWING (extinct) and HARDING attached to BUTTE. All attachments were “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 BUTTE gained from CHOTEAU (extinct), DELANO (extinct), HARDING, and SCOBEY (extinct). EWING eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 DELANO (extinct) detached from BUTTE, attached to MEADE "for judicial purposes." Attachment of CHOTEAU (extinct), HARDING, MARTIN (extinct), RINEHART (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct) to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 BUTTE gained most of CHOTEAU and RINEHART, and gained all of HARDING, MARTIN, and WAGNER. CHOTEAU, HARDING, MARTIN, RINEHART, and WAGNER all eliminated, ending all attachments to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

03 Nov 1908 BUTTE lost to re-creation of HARDING, and lost to creation of PERKINS. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:143, 146, 149; S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 7/p. 7; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:319, 324, 328–329)

CAMPBELL (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 CAMPBELL created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus a small part of North Dakota, from BUFFALO; CAMPBELL not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 36/p. 37)

10 Feb 1879 CAMPBELL lost to creation of EMMONS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 2/p. 18)

09 Mar 1883 CAMPBELL lost to creation of McINTOSH; CAMPBELL eliminated from present North Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 26/p. 39)

17 Apr 1884 CAMPBELL fully organized. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 14)

08 Mar 1889 Territorial legislature authorized CAMPBELL to gain from McPHERSON; gain did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 54/p. 79)

02 Nov 1889 CAMPBELL became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 BOREMAN (extinct) attached to CAMPBELL “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

02 Mar 1909 BOREMAN eliminated, ending its attachment to CAMPBELL. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

CARBON (Wyo.)

16 Dec 1868 CARBON (Wyo.) created by Dakota Territory in present Wyoming from LARAMIE (Wyo.). Although Wyoming Territory had been created on 25 July 1868, Dakota Territory retained jurisdiction until 19 May 1869 when Wyoming Territory was officially organized. Error in the definition of CARBON's southern boundary was corrected 1 January 1870 by the Wyoming Territorial Legislature. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1868, 8th sess., ch. 35/p. 321; Trenholm, 1:84, 334; Whitehead, 197)

19 May 1869 Wyoming Territory became fully organized. CARBON (Wyo.) became a county in Wyoming Territory; CARBON eliminated from Dakota Territory. (Trenholm, 1:84, 334)

CARTER (Wyo., now SWEETWATER, Wyo.)

27 Dec 1867 CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.) created by Dakota Territory from LARAMIE (Wyo.); included part of present Wyoming plus a small area of present Montana. CARTER not fully organized, attached to LARAMIE "for representative and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 7/p. 122)

Jan 1868 In early 1868, CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.) was fully organized, detached from LARAMIE (Wyo.). (Trenholm, 1:331)

25 Jul 1868 CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.) lost small area in present Montana when Wyoming Territory boundaries were defined. Although Wyoming Territory was created on this date, Dakota Territory retained jurisdiction until 19 May 1869 when Wyoming Territory was officially organized. (Trenholm, 1:83–84; U.S. Stat., vol. 15, ch. 235[1868], secs. 1, 17/pp. 178, 183; Van Zandt, 136, 144)

19 May 1869 Wyoming Territory became fully organized. CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.) became a county in Wyoming Territory; CARTER eliminated from Dakota Territory. (Trenholm, 1:84, 334)

CASS (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 CASS created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; CASS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 3/p. 49)

27 Oct 1873 CASS fully organized. (Rural Cass County, 8)

12 Jan 1875 CASS lost to creation of TRAILL. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 32, sec. 1/p. 74)

02 Nov 1889 CASS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

25 Aug 1961 CASS gained small areas from CLAY (Minn.) when approximately twenty-two and one-half acres along the Red River, in townships 139 and 140 north, range 48 west, were transferred to North Dakota from Minnesota [not mapped]. (N. Dak. Laws 1961, 37th sess., ch. 318/p. 517; U.S. Stat., vol. 75, p. 399; Van Zandt, 134)

CAVALIER (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 CAVALIER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; CAVALIER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 1/p. 39; Hall, 183–184)

08 Mar 1883 CAVALIER lost to creation of TOWNER. Territorial legislature authorized creation of HARVEY from CAVALIER and PEMBINA and the creation of NICKEUS from CAVALIER, PEMBINA, RAMSEY, and WALSH; creations did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 22, 29, 37/pp. 34, 42–43, 54)

08 Jul 1884 CAVALIER fully organized. (History of the Red River Valley, 2:658)

13 Mar 1885 By 13 March 1885, CAVALIER lost to RAMSEY. On 13 March 1885, territorial legislature authorized creation of BLAINE from CAVALIER, RAMSEY, and WALSH; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., chs. 4, 32/pp. 227, 269)

by 12 May 1885 CAVALIER lost to Non-County Area (18) [territory that was to become part of BLAINE; see 13 March 1885]. Territorial legislature authorized CAVALIER to gain from PEMBINA, and lose to non-county area, dependent on local referendum. Results are unknown, but it appeared to fail [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 11/p. 233)

11 Mar 1887 CAVALIER gained from PEMBINA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 182/p. 380)

02 Nov 1889 CAVALIER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

CHARLES MIX (S.D.)

08 May 1862 CHARLES MIX created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; CHARLES MIX fully organized. BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory, extinct) attached to CHARLES MIX "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18, secs. 5, 7–8/p. 249)

06 Jan 1864 CHARLES MIX gained from BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory); BRUGUIER eliminated, ending its attachment to CHARLES MIX. CHARLES MIX gained the Yankton Indian Reservation, and lost to creation of BUFFALO. CHARLES MIX became unorganized, attached to BON HOMME "for judicial purposes." BUFFALO attached to CHARLES MIX “for election and revenue purposes.” (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

13 Jan 1871 CHARLES MIX gained from HUTCHINSON, lost to creation of HANSON and lost to BUFFALO. BUFFALO fully organized, detached from CHARLES MIX. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

08 Jan 1873 CHARLES MIX lost to creation of ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original, extinct) and lost to HUTCHINSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, secs. 8–9/p. 32)

10 Jan 1873 CHARLES MIX gained from BUFFALO, gained small area from HUTCHINSON, lost to creation of DOUGLAS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 17/p. 38)

14 Jan 1875 CHARLES MIX lost to creation of BRULE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 31/p. 73)

15 Sep 1879 CHARLES MIX fully organized, detached from BON HOMME. (Andreas, 174; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 CHARLES MIX became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 GREGORY and TODD (original, extinct) attached to CHARLES MIX “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 Attachment of GREGORY and TODD (original, extinct) to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 48/p. 78)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of GREGORY and TODD (original, extinct) to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1897 TODD (original) eliminated, ending its attachment to CHARLES MIX. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 46/p. 97)

05 Sep 1898 GREGORY fully organized, detached from CHARLES MIX. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 45)

CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

11 Jan 1875 CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from PRATT (extinct), RUSK (now DEWEY), STANLEY, and Non-County Area (1); CHEYENNE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 7/p. 68)

08 Mar 1883 CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of JACKSON, NOWLIN (extinct), PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct), and STERLING (extinct); CHEYENNE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 3–6/pp. 28–29)

CHIPPEWA (Dakota Territory, extinct)

24 Apr 1862 CHIPPEWA (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from non-county area; CHIPPEWA not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 17, sec. 3/p. 247; History of Pembina County, 5–6)

17 Dec 1863 CHIPPEWA (Dakota Territory) eliminated when act that created it was repealed. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 4, sec. 2/p. 3)

CHOTEAU (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 CHOTEAU (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from MARTIN (extinct); CHOTEAU not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 6/p. 60)

02 Nov 1889 CHOTEAU (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 CHOTEAU (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 CHOTEAU (extinct) lost to BUTTE and HARDING. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of CHOTEAU (extinct) to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 CHOTEAU lost all territory to BUTTE and MEADE; CHOTEAU eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

CHURCH (N.D., extinct)

11 Mar 1887 CHURCH (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from McHENRY and SHERIDAN; CHURCH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

02 Nov 1889 CHURCH (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 CHURCH (extinct) attached to McHENRY "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 78/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 CHURCH lost all territory to McHENRY, McLEAN, and PIERCE; CHURCH eliminated, ending its attachment to McHENRY. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

CLARK (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 CLARK created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; CLARK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 16/p. 34)

15 Feb 1877 CLARK lost to creation of CODINGTON and lost to HAMLIN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 217–218 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

01 Oct 1879 CLARK lost to creation of BEADLE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 12/p. 24)

23 May 1881 CLARK fully organized. (Andreas, 175; HRS S. Dak., Clark, 3)

02 May 1885 CLARK lost to DAY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 12, secs. 1–2, 10–11/pp. 235–237)

02 Nov 1889 CLARK became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

CLAY (S.D.)

10 Apr 1862 CLAY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; CLAY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 13/p. 242)

02 Jun 1862 CLAY fully organized. (Andreas, 133, 148)

03 Jan 1863 CLAY boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 2d sess., ch. 39/p. 217)

13 Jan 1871 CLAY boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

02 Nov 1889 CLAY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

24 Jul 1897 United States Congress consented to a boundary change between South Dakota and Nebraska, whereby CLAY would gain an island in the Missouri River from DIXON (Neb.). The island was formed in April 1881 when the Missouri River suddenly changed course. Change was not officially implemented by CLAY until 1902 when voters approved the gain [see 4 November 1902, not mapped]. (Schell, Clay County, 31–32; Schell, History of Clay County, 102–104; U.S. Stat., vol. 30, ch. 12[1897]/p. 214; Neb. Laws 1897, 25th sess., ch. 121/p. 458)

04 Nov 1902 CLAY officially gained an island in the Missouri River from DIXON (Neb.); voters approved the gain 1006 to 25 [see 24 July 1897]. (Schell, History of Clay County, 102–104; S. Dak. Laws 1901, 7th sess., ch. 85/p. 109)

CODINGTON (S.D.)

15 Feb 1877 CODINGTON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CLARK, GRANT, HAMLIN, and part of Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve; CODINGTON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 217–218 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

07 Aug 1878 CODINGTON fully organized. (Andreas, 158; Codington County History Book Committee, 3)

02 Nov 1889 CODINGTON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

COLE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

10 Apr 1862 COLE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; COLE also included a small piece of present Nebraska. COLE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 14/p. 243)

07 Jan 1864 COLE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of UNION; COLE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 14/p. 16)

CORSON (S.D.)

02 Mar 1909 CORSON created by South Dakota from DEWEY, SCHNASSE (extinct), all of BOREMAN (extinct), and part of Non-County Area (1); BOREMAN eliminated. CORSON not fully organized, attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

13 Jul 1909 CORSON fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. (Corson Co. Commissioner's Meeting Minutes, 3 August 1909; Tidball, 68)

CRAGIN (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 CRAGIN (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; CRAGIN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 17/p. 34)

01 Oct 1879 CRAGIN (Dakota Territory) lost to creation of AURORA. Remainder of CRAGIN reverted to Non-County Area (13); CRAGIN eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

CUSTER (S.D.)

11 Jan 1875 CUSTER created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); CUSTER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 4/p. 67)

10 Feb 1877 CUSTER exchanged with PENNINGTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 215–216 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

26 Apr 1877 CUSTER fully organized. (Andreas, 116; Eastern Custer County Historical Society, vii)

19 Feb 1881 CUSTER gained all of FORSYTHE (Dakota Territory); FORSYTHE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 39/p. 43)

09 Mar 1883 WASHABAUGH (extinct) and WASHINGTON (extinct) attached to CUSTER "for revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40/pp. 59–61)

03 Apr 1883 CUSTER lost to creation of FALL RIVER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 18/p. 30)

02 Nov 1889 CUSTER became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of WASHINGTON (extinct) to CUSTER “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) and WASHINGTON (extinct) to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1909 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) and WASHINGTON (extinct) to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

03 Jun 1915 WASHABAUGH (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to JACKSON “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1915, 14th sess., ch. 147/p. 324)

21 Jun 1919 WASHINGTON (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to PENNINGTON "for judicial purposes." (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

DAKOTA (Minn.)

27 Oct 1849 DAKOTA (Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from non-county area; included parts of present South Dakota and Minnesota. DAKOTA not fully organized, attached to RAMSEY (Minn.) "for judicial purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 6, 19/pp. 8–9)

01 May 1851 DAKOTA (Minn.) gained from WAHNAHTA (Minnesota Territory, extinct), exchanged with WABASHA (Minn.), and lost to creation of CASS (Minn.). (Minn. Terr. Rev. Stat. 1851, ch. 1, secs. 7–10, 18/pp. 31–32 and ch. 136/p. 577)

06 Mar 1852 DAKOTA (Minn.) lost to creation of HENNEPIN (Minn.); area within present South Dakota was unchanged. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1852, ch. 32/p. 51)

05 Mar 1853 DAKOTA (Minn.) gained from WABASHA (Minn.) and lost to creation of eight new Minnesota Territory counties, including BLUE EARTH; DAKOTA eliminated from present South Dakota. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1853, ch. 11/pp. 32–35)

Dakota Territory

02 Mar 1861 The United States created Dakota Territory from Nebraska Territory and unorganized federal territory; included all of present North Dakota, all of present South Dakota, and parts of present Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., pp. 21–28; U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 86[1861]/pp. 239–244; Van Zandt, 134, 136)

05 Apr 1862 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of BON HOMME, BROOKINGS, DEUEL, LINCOLN, and MINNEHAHA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., chs. 12, 16/pp. 242, 245–246)

10 Apr 1862 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of CLAY, COLE (Dakota Territory, extinct), and YANKTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., chs. 13–14, 19/pp. 242–243, 250)

24 Apr 1862 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of CHIPPEWA (Dakota Territory, extinct), KITTSON (Dakota Territory, extinct), SHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), and STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 17/pp. 246–247; History of Pembina County, 5–6)

08 May 1862 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of BRUGUIER (Dakota Territory, extinct), CHARLES MIX, GREGORY, HUTCHINSON, JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), and TODD (original, extinct). Yankton Indian Reservation and the Fort Randall Military Reserve remained non-county areas in Dakota Territory. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., chs. 15, 18/pp. 244, 248–249)

03 Mar 1863 The United States created Idaho Territory from Dakota, Nebraska, and Washington Territories. Dakota Territory was reduced to the area of present North Dakota and South Dakota, plus a small area of present Nebraska. (U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 117[1863], sec. 1/p. 808; Van Zandt, 134–136, 156–157)

17 Dec 1863 Dakota Territory gained non-county area when CHIPPEWA (Dakota Territory), KITTSON (Dakota Territory), SHEYENNE (Dakota Territory), and STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original) were eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 4, sec. 2/p. 3)

06 Jan 1864 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of BUFFALO. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

26 May 1864 Dakota Territory gained from Idaho Territory; included most of present Wyoming and a small piece of present Montana. (U.S. Stat., vol. 13, ch. 95[1864], sec. 18/p. 92; Van Zandt, 134–136, 156–157)

09 Jan 1867 Dakota Territory lost non-county area to creation of LARAMIE (Wyo.) and PEMBINA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1866, 6th sess., chs. 14–15/pp. 43–44; Royce, 828–829, pl. 120)

25 Jul 1868 The United States created Wyoming Territory from Dakota, Idaho, and Utah Territories. No further change occurred in the western boundary of Dakota Territory. An area of approximately one and one-half square miles, west of the boundary of Wyoming Territory, inadvertently remained part of Dakota Territory until 17 February 1873 when it was added to Montana Territory. Wyoming Territorial Legislature did not meet until October 1869, and Dakota Territory continued to govern Wyoming until 19 May 1869. [This small area in Montana is not mapped here. For a map, see Montana Historical Counties.] (Trenholm, 1:83–84; U.S. Stat., vol. 15, ch. 235[1868], secs. 1, 17/pp. 178, 183; Van Zandt, 136, 144)

17 Feb 1873 Montana Territory gained the small remnant of Dakota Territory that remained between Montana and Wyoming Territories [Not mapped here. For a map of the area see Montana Historical Counties. See also 25 July 1868.]. (U.S. Stat., vol. 17, ch. 147[1873]/p. 464; Van Zandt, 136, 145, 150)

DAVISON (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 DAVISON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; DAVISON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 11/p. 33)

Jul 1874 In July 1874, DAVISON was fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13; Mitchell 75th Anniversary Association, 7)

01 Oct 1879 DAVISON lost to McCOOK. Territorial legislature authorized the combining of DAVISON and HANSON, plus Non-County Area (13), into a single county named HANSON; consolidation did not take place [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

24 Feb 1881 DAVISON gained part of Non-County Area (13); Non-County Area (13) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 46/p. 54)

11 Oct 1881 DAVISON exchanged with HANSON. Territorial legislature authorized a vote on the future of DAVISON and HANSON, either to remain as two separate counties with the newly reconfigured boundaries described in this act, or to combine as a single county named HANSON. Vote taken on 11 October 1881 was in favor of retaining two separate counties with the new configuration. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 42/pp. 46–50; Andreas, 170–171)

02 Nov 1889 DAVISON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

DAY (S.D.)

01 Oct 1879 DAY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from STONE (Dakota Territory) and all of GREELEY (Dakota Territory); GREELEY and STONE eliminated. DAY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 14/p. 25)

02 Jan 1882 DAY fully organized. (Andreas, 177)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of EDGERTON from DAY and BROWN, dependent on local referendum. BROWN was also authorized to gain from DAY. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13/pp. 21–24; Brown County Territorial Pioneers, 11)

08 Mar 1883 DAY gained part of the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

02 May 1885 DAY gained from CLARK, lost to creation of MARSHALL; part of DAY reverted to Non-County Area (19). MARSHALL not fully organized, attached to DAY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 12, secs. 1–2, 10–11/pp. 235–237)

23 Jul 1885 MARSHALL fully organized, detached from DAY. (Marshall County Historical Society, 9)

08 Mar 1889 DAY gained from GRANT and gained all of Non-County Area (19); Non-County Area (19) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 55/p. 81)

02 Nov 1889 DAY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

DELANO (S.D., extinct)

11 Jan 1875 DELANO (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); DELANO not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 8/p. 69)

08 Mar 1883 DELANO (extinct) lost to creation of SCOBEY (extinct); DELANO attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 2, 7/pp. 28–29)

02 Nov 1889 DELANO (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 DELANO (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 DELANO (extinct) lost to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 DELANO (extinct) detached from BUTTE, attached to MEADE “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 DELANO lost all territory to MEADE; DELANO eliminated, ending its attachment to MEADE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 42/p. 91; S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 148)

DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct; created as FRENCH)

04 Jan 1873 FRENCH (later DE SMET, Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; FRENCH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 9/p. 42; Hall, 183–184)

14 Jan 1875 FRENCH (Dakota Territory, extinct) renamed DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 30/p. 71)

09 Mar 1883 DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct) lost to creation of BENSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 12/p. 19)

by 13 Mar 1885 DE SMET (Dakota Territory, extinct) lost to BENSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 32/p. 269)

11 Mar 1887 DE SMET (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of PIERCE; DE SMET eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

DEUEL (S.D.)

05 Apr 1862 DEUEL created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; DEUEL not fully organized, attached to MINNEHAHA "for judicial and election purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 16, sec. 4/p. 246)

13 Jan 1871 DEUEL gained non-county area, lost to creation of HANSON; DEUEL included parts of present North and South Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

08 Jan 1873 DEUEL lost to creation of GRANT and HAMLIN, and lost to Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve. DEUEL eliminated from present North Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, secs. 5–7, 10/pp. 31–32)

20 May 1878 DEUEL fully organized, detached from MINNEHAHA. (Andreas, 182; Cochrane, 1: [7])

02 Nov 1889 DEUEL became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

DEWEY (S.D., created as RUSK)

08 Jan 1873 RUSK (now DEWEY) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); RUSK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 7/p. 46)

11 Jan 1875 RUSK (now DEWEY) lost to creation of CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 7/p. 68)

08 Mar 1883 RUSK (now DEWEY) lost to creation of PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, sec. 3/p. 28)

09 Mar 1883 RUSK renamed DEWEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 17/p. 29)

02 Nov 1889 DEWEY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 DEWEY attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

02 Mar 1909 DEWEY lost to creation of CORSON. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

03 Dec 1910 DEWEY fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 29–30)

by 1 Feb 1911 DEWEY gained from ARMSTRONG (extinct) and gained part of Non-County Area (1) when boundaries were moved to run on federal land survey lines. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137; S. Dak. Rev. Code 1919, 1:142, 145)

01 Jan 1953 DEWEY gained all of ARMSTRONG; ARMSTRONG eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1951, 32d sess., ch. 37/p. 38; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

DICKEY (N.D.)

05 Mar 1881 DICKEY created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from McPHERSON, RANSOM, part of Non-County Area (4), part of Non-County Area (12), and part of Non-County Area (5) attached to RANSOM; included territory that was part of LA MOURE before 24 February 1881. DICKEY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

18 Aug 1882 DICKEY fully organized. (Andreas, 178; Black, R. M., 34)

02 Nov 1889 DICKEY became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

Disputed Area 1 (Minn. Territory)

23 May 1857 A disputed area between MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory, extinct) and ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.) was created when the boundary descriptions created an overlap on the eastern line of MIDWAY and the western line of ROCK. (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14, secs. 9–10, 14/pp. 68–69)

11 May 1858 Area overlapped by MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory, extinct) and ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.) was eliminated when the state of Minnesota was created; MIDWAY was eliminated and ROCK was eliminated from present South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

Disputed Area 2 (Dakota Territory)

08 May 1862 A disputed area between JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) and MINNEHAHA was created when the boundary descriptions created an overlap at the northeast corner of JAYNE with the southwest corner of MINNEHAHA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

13 Jan 1871 HANSON acquired the overlap area between JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) and MINNEHAHA; JAYNE eliminated and MINNEHAHA lost to HANSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10, sec. 14/p. 407)

DIVIDE (N.D.)

08 Nov 1910 DIVIDE created by North Dakota from WILLIAMS; DIVIDE not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 246; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 4; Williams County Historical Society, 1:93)

09 Dec 1910 DIVIDE fully organized. (Hall, 246; Williams County Historical Society, 1:93)

DOUGLAS (S.D.)

10 Jan 1873 DOUGLAS created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHARLES MIX; DOUGLAS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 17/p. 38)

24 Jul 1882 DOUGLAS fully organized. (Douglas County History, 30; Early History of South Dakota Counties, 31)

02 Nov 1889 DOUGLAS became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

DUBUQUE (Iowa)

01 Oct 1834 DUBUQUE (Iowa) created by Michigan Territory from non-county area; included parts of present North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota. (Mich. Terr. Laws, 3:1326–1327)

03 Jul 1836 The United States created Wisconsin Territory from Michigan Territory; included portions of present North and South Dakota east of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers. DUBUQUE (Iowa) became a Wisconsin Territory county. (Terr. Papers U.S., 27:41–52; U.S. Stat., vol. 5, ch. 54[1836], sec. 1/p. 10)

21 Dec 1837 DUBUQUE (Iowa) lost to creation of thirteen Wisconsin Territory counties, including BUCHANAN (Iowa) and FAYETTE (Iowa); DUBUQUE eliminated from present North and South Dakota. (Wis. Terr. Laws 1837, no. 6, secs. 2, 5–6/pp. 133–134)

DUNN (N.D.)

09 Mar 1883 DUNN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct); DUNN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 1/p. 58)

10 Mar 1885 DUNN gained from McKENZIE, STARK, and WILLIAMS (original, extinct); exchanged with BILLINGS; lost to VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

02 Nov 1889 DUNN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of DUNN; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 DUNN lost all territory to STARK; DUNN eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 DUNN re-created from STARK when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 DUNN attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

13 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of DUNN; gain did not take effect [no change]. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court during the 1905 session. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 69/pp. 78–80; Hall, 233–236; "State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

Dec 1905 In December 1905, the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 13 March 1903 by which STARK was authorized to gain all of DUNN [no change]. ("State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

18 Jan 1908 DUNN gained nearly all of Non-County Area (23) attached to STARK; Non-County Area (23) eliminated. DUNN fully organized, detached from STARK. ("Dunn County," 2; Hall, 238–239)

EDDY (N.D.)

31 Mar 1885 EDDY created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from FOSTER; EDDY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1–2, 4–6/pp. 240–241)

27 Apr 1885 EDDY fully organized. ("Eddy County," 1)

02 Nov 1889 EDDY became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

EDGERTON (Dakota Territory, proposed)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of EDGERTON in present South Dakota from BROWN and DAY, dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13, sec. 2/p. 21)

EDMUNDS (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 EDMUNDS created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; EDMUNDS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 30/p. 36)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of McCAULEY from EDMUNDS, BROWN, and part of Non-County Area (12), dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13/pp. 21–24; Brown County Territorial Pioneers, 11)

26 Jul 1883 EDMUNDS fully organized. (Andreas, 181; Bowdle Centennial, 9)

06 Feb 1885 EDMUNDS gained part of Non-County Area (12). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 14/p. 239)

02 Nov 1889 EDMUNDS became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

EMMONS (N.D.)

10 Feb 1879 EMMONS created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BURLEIGH, CAMPBELL, and Non-County Area (2) attached to BURLEIGH; EMMONS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 2/p. 18)

09 Nov 1883 EMMONS fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 448)

12 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of WINONA in present North Dakota from EMMONS; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 16/p. 243)

02 Nov 1889 EMMONS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

EWING (S.D., extinct)

08 Mar 1883 EWING (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, and a small part of North Dakota, from HARDING; EWING not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38/p. 56)

02 Nov 1889 EWING (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. Boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel; EWING lost territory to North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 EWING (extinct) attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 EWING lost all territory to HARDING; EWING eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

FALL RIVER (S.D.)

03 Apr 1883 FALL RIVER created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CUSTER; FALL RIVER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 18/p. 30)

17 Nov 1883 FALL RIVER fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 FALL RIVER became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 LUGENBEEL (extinct) and SHANNON attached to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1909 BENNETT attached to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes;” LUGENBEEL eliminated, ending its attachment to FALL RIVER; attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

27 Apr 1912 BENNETT fully organized, detached from FALL RIVER. (HRS S. Dak., Bennett, 7; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. SHANNON remained unorganized and attached to FALL RIVER as of 31 December 2000. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

FAULK (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 FAULK created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; FAULK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 29/p. 36)

08 Mar 1883 FAULK gained part of Non-County Area (12), lost to POTTER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 19/p. 31)

05 Nov 1883 FAULK fully organized. (Ellis, 26–27; HRS S. Dak., Faulk, 5)

02 Nov 1889 FAULK became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

FAYETTE (Iowa)

21 Dec 1837 FAYETTE (Iowa) created by Wisconsin Territory from DUBUQUE (Iowa); included parts of present North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota; FAYETTE not fully organized, attached to CLAYTON (Iowa) "for temporary purposes." (Wis. Terr. Laws 1837, no. 6, sec. 2/p. 133)

03 Jul 1838 The United States created Iowa Territory from Wisconsin Territory, encompassing all of Wisconsin Territory west of the Mississippi River; included all of present Iowa and parts of present Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. FAYETTE (Iowa) became a county in Iowa Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 5, ch. 96[1838]/pp. 235–241)

17 Feb 1843 Most of FAYETTE (Iowa) reverted to non-county area, including all the portion in present North and South Dakota; FAYETTE eliminated from present North and South Dakota. (Iowa Terr. Rev. Stat. 1843, ch. 34, sec. 11/p. 134)

FLANNERY (N.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 FLANNERY (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from WALLETTE (Dakota Territory, extinct); FLANNERY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 5/p. 58)

02 Nov 1889 FLANNERY (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 FLANNERY (extinct) attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

02 Mar 1891 FLANNERY lost all territory to creation of WILLIAMS; FLANNERY eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6, 11/pp. 131–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

FORSYTHE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

11 Jan 1875 FORSYTHE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); FORSYTHE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 3/p. 67)

19 Feb 1881 FORSYTHE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to CUSTER; FORSYTHE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 39/p. 43)

Fort Randall Military Reserve

08 May 1862 Fort Randall Military Reserve was a non-county area in Dakota Territory; included parts of present South Dakota and Nebraska. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18/pp. 248–250)

15 Jan 1864 Fort Randall Military Reserve was attached to TODD (original, extinct) for administrative, election, and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 13/p. 15)

08 Jan 1873 GREGORY gained part of Fort Randall Military Reserve. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, secs. 2–4/p. 45)

23 May 1882 TODD (original, extinct) implicitly gained part of Fort Randall Military Reserve. Remaining part of the Reserve became part of the state of Nebraska; Fort Randall Military Reserve was eliminated as a non-county area in Dakota Territory. (Neb. Laws 1882, 17th sess., ch. 4/p. 56; U.S. Stat., vol. 22, ch. 52[1882]/p. 35; Van Zandt, 136–138)

FOSTER (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 FOSTER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; FOSTER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 11/p. 42; Hall, 183–184)

18 Feb 1881 FOSTER lost to creation of GRIGGS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 41/p. 44)

14 Feb 1883 FOSTER gained from WELLS, lost to creation of Non-County Area (15). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 20/p. 32)

02 Mar 1883 FOSTER lost to creation of NELSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 28/p. 41)

11 Oct 1883 FOSTER fully organized. (Foster County History Book Committee, 3)

31 Mar 1885 FOSTER lost to creation of EDDY and lost to WELLS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1–2, 4–6/pp. 240–241 and ch. 43/p. 282)

02 Nov 1889 FOSTER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

FRENCH (see DE SMET, Dakota Territory, extinct)

GARFIELD (N.D., extinct)

13 Mar 1885 GARFIELD (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from MOUNTRAIL and STEVENS (extinct); GARFIELD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 21/p. 253)

02 Nov 1889 GARFIELD (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 GARFIELD (extinct) attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 GARFIELD lost all territory to McLEAN and WARD; GARFIELD eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

GINGRAS (see WELLS, N.D.)

GOLDEN VALLEY (N.D.)

19 Sep 1912 GOLDEN VALLEY created by North Dakota from BILLINGS; vote authorizing this creation passed 837 to 756 in the general election held 8 November 1910, but litigation delayed this enactment until 19 September 1912 when the North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the vote. GOLDEN VALLEY not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 246–248; HRS N. Dak., Golden Valley, 2; "Pederson v. Board of Commissioners of Billings County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 23:547–555)

13 Nov 1912 GOLDEN VALLEY fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 448)

GRAND FORKS (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 GRAND FORKS created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; GRAND FORKS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 2/p. 49)

12 Jan 1875 GRAND FORKS lost to creation of TRAILL. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 32, sec. 1/p. 74)

02 Mar 1875 GRAND FORKS fully organized. (Andreas, 196; History of the Red River Valley, 2:588)

02 May 1881 GRAND FORKS lost to creation of WALSH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 51, secs. 1–2/pp. 59–60 and ch. 52/p. 61)

02 Mar 1883 GRAND FORKS lost to creation of NELSON; NELSON not fully organized, attached to GRAND FORKS "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 28/p. 41)

09 Mar 1883 BENSON attached to GRAND FORKS "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 12/p. 19)

09 Jun 1883 NELSON fully organized, detached from GRAND FORKS. (Andreas, 204; History of the Red River Valley, 2:669; North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

04 Jun 1884 BENSON fully organized, detached from GRAND FORKS. (North Dakota Blue Book, 446)

02 Nov 1889 GRAND FORKS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

GRANT (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 GRANT created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from DEUEL and HANSON; GRANT not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 7/p. 32)

15 Feb 1877 GRANT lost to creation of CODINGTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 217–218 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

17 Jun 1878 GRANT fully organized. (Andreas, 172)

08 Mar 1883 GRANT gained part of the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve, lost to creation of ROBERTS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

02 Feb 1885 Boundary between GRANT and ROBERTS clarified [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 22/p. 254)

08 Mar 1889 GRANT lost to DAY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 55/p. 81)

02 Nov 1889 GRANT became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

GRANT (N.D.)

07 Nov 1916 GRANT created by North Dakota from MORTON; vote authorizing this creation passed 3136 to 1718. GRANT not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 249)

28 Nov 1916 GRANT fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 448)

GREELEY (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 GREELEY (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; GREELEY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 21/p. 35)

01 Oct 1879 GREELEY (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of DAY; GREELEY eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12, sec. 14/p. 25)

GREGORY (S.D.)

08 May 1862 GREGORY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; GREGORY not fully organized, attached to TODD (original, extinct) "for revenue, election, and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18, secs. 3–4/pp. 248–249)

08 Jan 1873 GREGORY gained from TODD (original, extinct), including territory in present Nebraska, and gained part of Fort Randall Military Reserve; GREGORY lost to creation of LYMAN and TRIPP. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, secs. 2–4/p. 45)

23 May 1882 GREGORY lost to the state of Nebraska. TODD (original, extinct) became unorganized, ending GREGORY’s attachment to TODD; GREGORY remained unorganized, not attached. (Neb. Laws 1882, 17th sess., ch. 4/p. 56; U.S. Stat., vol. 22, ch. 52[1882]/p. 35; Van Zandt, 136–138)

02 Nov 1889 GREGORY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 GREGORY attached to CHARLES MIX “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

04 Jun 1891 GREGORY lost to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 41/p. 101)

25 Feb 1893 Attachment of GREGORY to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 48/p. 78)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of GREGORY to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1897 GREGORY gained from LYMAN and gained all of TODD (original); TODD (original) eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 46/p. 97)

05 Sep 1898 GREGORY fully organized, detached from CHARLES MIX. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 45)

GRIGGS (N.D.)

18 Feb 1881 GRIGGS created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BARNES, FOSTER, and TRAILL; GRIGGS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 41/p. 44)

16 Jun 1882 GRIGGS fully organized. (Andreas, 210)

02 Jun 1883 GRIGGS lost to creation of STEELE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 36/p. 52)

02 Nov 1889 GRIGGS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

HAAKON (S.D.)

03 Nov 1914 HAAKON created by South Dakota from STANLEY; HAAKON not fully organized, not attached. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:146, 150; HRS S. Dak., Haakon, 3; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:323)

08 Feb 1915 HAAKON fully organized. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 48–49; HRS S. Dak., Haakon, 3–4)

HAMLIN (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 HAMLIN created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from DEUEL and HANSON; HAMLIN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 6/p. 32)

15 Feb 1877 HAMLIN gained from CLARK, lost to creation of CODINGTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 217–218 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

10 Sep 1878 HAMLIN fully organized. (Andreas, 171)

02 Nov 1889 HAMLIN became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

HAND (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 HAND created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; HAND not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 28/p. 36)

01 Oct 1879 HAND gained from BURCHARD (Dakota Territory, extinct), HYDE, and SPINK; part of HAND reverted to Non-County Area (11). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

01 Sep 1882 HAND fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 HAND became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

HANSON (S.D.)

13 Jan 1871 HANSON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, and a small area of North Dakota, from BROOKINGS, BUFFALO, CHARLES MIX, DEUEL, HUTCHINSON, JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), MINNEHAHA, and non-county area; HANSON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10, sec. 14/p. 407)

08 Jan 1873 HANSON lost to creation of BEADLE (Dakota Territory, original, extinct), BRAMBLE (Dakota Territory, extinct), BURCHARD (Dakota Territory, extinct), CLARK, CRAGIN (Dakota Territory, extinct), DAVISON, GRANT, GREELEY (Dakota Territory, extinct), HAMLIN, KINGSBURY, LAKE, McCOOK, MILLS (Dakota Territory, extinct), MINER, SPINK, STONE (Dakota Territory, extinct), THOMPSON (Dakota Territory, extinct), WETMORE (Dakota Territory, extinct), and WOOD (Dakota Territory, extinct). HANSON also lost to the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16/pp. 30–38)

16 Aug 1873 HANSON fully organized. (Andreas, 170)

01 Oct 1879 HANSON lost to McCOOK. Territorial legislature authorized the combining of DAVISON and HANSON, plus Non-County Area (13), into a single county named HANSON; consolidation did not take place [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

24 Feb 1881 HANSON gained part of Non-County Area (13); Non-County Area (13) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 46/p. 54)

11 Oct 1881 HANSON exchanged with DAVISON. Territorial legislature authorized vote on the future of HANSON and DAVISON, either to remain as two separate counties with the newly reconfigured boundaries described in this act, or to combine as a single county named HANSON. Vote taken on 11 October 1881 was in favor of retaining two separate counties with the new configuration. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 42/pp. 46–50; Andreas, 170–171)

02 Nov 1889 HANSON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

HARDING (S.D.)

05 Mar 1881 HARDING created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus part of present North Dakota, from Non-County Area (1); HARDING not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 43/p. 51)

08 Mar 1883 HARDING lost to creation of BURDICK (Dakota Territory, extinct) and EWING (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38/p. 56)

28 Feb 1889 HARDING gained all of BURDICK (Dakota Territory); BURDICK eliminated. HARDING lost to BUTTE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 47/p. 73)

02 Nov 1889 HARDING became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 HARDING attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 HARDING gained from CHOTEAU (extinct) and MARTIN (extinct), and gained all of EWING; EWING eliminated. HARDING also lost to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of HARDING to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 HARDING lost all territory to BUTTE; HARDING eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

03 Nov 1908 HARDING re-created from BUTTE with slightly different boundaries from the original HARDING, which was eliminated 8 November 1898; HARDING not fully organized, not attached. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:143, 146, 149; S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 7/p. 7; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:319, 324, 328–329)

17 Feb 1909 HARDING fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

HARVEY (Dakota Territory, proposed)

08 Mar 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of HARVEY in present North Dakota from CAVALIER and PEMBINA; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 22/p. 34)

HETTINGER (N.D.)

09 Mar 1883 HETTINGER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from STARK; HETTINGER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 7/p. 59)

10 Mar 1885 HETTINGER lost to VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

18 Feb 1887 HETTINGER lost to MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 183/p. 380)

02 Nov 1889 HETTINGER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of HETTINGER; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 HETTINGER lost all territory to STARK; HETTINGER eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 HETTINGER re-created from STARK when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. HETTINGER implicitly gained part of Non-County Area (9) between 46 degrees north latitude and the southern boundary of North Dakota, and lost a small area along its western boundary when the line was shifted from 103 degrees west longitude to the line between ranges 98 and 99, so that the county boundaries would run on federal land survey lines. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 HETTINGER attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

13 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of HETTINGER; gain did not take effect [no change]. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court during the 1905 session. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 69/pp. 78–80; Hall, 233–236; "State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

Dec 1905 In December 1905, the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 13 March 1903 by which STARK was authorized to gain all of HETTINGER [no change]. ("State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

17 Apr 1907 HETTINGER lost to creation of ADAMS. (Hall, 237–238)

19 Apr 1907 HETTINGER fully organized, detached from STARK. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from Non-County Area (1); HOWARD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 11/p. 47)

10 Feb 1879 HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) lost to creation of BILLINGS and STARK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

09 Mar 1883 HOWARD (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of ALLRED (extinct), DUNN, McKENZIE, and WALLACE (extinct); HOWARD eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39/pp. 58–59)

HUGHES (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 HUGHES created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; HUGHES not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 32/p. 37)

26 Nov 1880 HUGHES fully organized. (Andreas, 152)

26 Jan 1887 NOWLIN (extinct) detached from PENNINGTON, attached to HUGHES; STERLING (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to HUGHES; STANLEY attached to HUGHES. All attachments were "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

02 Nov 1889 HUGHES became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 NOWLIN (extinct) and STERLING (extinct) detached from HUGHES, attached to MEADE; attachment of STANLEY to HUGHES was confirmed. All attachments were “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

23 Apr 1890 STANLEY fully organized, detached from HUGHES. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

04 Jun 1891 HUGHES gained Farm Island in the Missouri River from the Sioux Reservation [not mapped]. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 45/p. 106)

HUTCHINSON (S.D.)

08 May 1862 HUTCHINSON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; HUTCHINSON not fully organized, attached to BON HOMME "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

13 Jan 1871 HUTCHINSON gained from JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), lost to CHARLES MIX, and lost to creation of HANSON; HUTCHINSON fully organized, detached from BON HOMME. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

08 Jan 1873 HUTCHINSON gained from CHARLES MIX, lost to creation of ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, secs. 8–9/p. 32)

10 Jan 1873 HUTCHINSON lost small area to CHARLES MIX. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 17/p. 38)

01 Oct 1879 HUTCHINSON gained all of ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original); ARMSTRONG (Dakota Territory, original) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

02 Nov 1889 HUTCHINSON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

HYDE (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 HYDE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; HYDE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 27/p. 36)

01 Oct 1879 HYDE lost to HAND. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

27 Feb 1883 HYDE gained all of Non-County Area (11); Non-County Area (11) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 21/p. 33)

05 Nov 1883 HYDE fully organized. (Hyde County Historical and Genealogical Society, 3–4; Perkins, 8–15)

02 Nov 1889 HYDE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

INMAN (Dakota Territory, proposed)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of INMAN in present South Dakota from BROWN, McPHERSON, and part of Non-County Area (12), dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13, sec. 3/p. 21)

Iowa Territory

17 Feb 1843 All of FAYETTE (Iowa) in present North and South Dakota reverted to non-county area in Iowa Territory. This non-county area in the Dakotas was attached to DELAWARE (Iowa) "for judicial, revenue, and election purposes." (Iowa Terr. Rev. Stat. 1843, ch. 34, sec. 11/p. 134)

01 Mar 1846 The non-county area in Iowa Territory, located in present North and South Dakota, was detached from DELAWARE (Iowa), attached to POLK (Iowa) "for election, revenue, and judicial purposes." (Iowa Terr. Laws 1845–1846, ch. 101, sec. 12/p. 93)

28 Dec 1846 The state of Iowa was created from Iowa Territory; Iowa Territory eliminated. The non-county area in present North and South Dakota (territory east of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers) became unorganized federal territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 9, ch. 1[1847]/p. 117)

JACKSON (S.D.)

08 Mar 1883 JACKSON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), LUGENBEEL (extinct), and WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct); JACKSON not fully organized, attached to PENNINGTON "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 6, 8/p. 29)

02 Nov 1889 JACKSON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of JACKSON to PENNINGTON “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 JACKSON detached from PENNINGTON, attached to STANLEY “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of JACKSON to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 JACKSON lost to LYMAN and STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., chs. 41, 45/pp. 90, 96)

03 Jun 1909 JACKSON lost all territory to WASHABAUGH (extinct) and to the creation of MELLETTE; JACKSON eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

03 Nov 1914 JACKSON re-created from STANLEY with somewhat different boundaries from original JACKSON, which was eliminated 3 June 1909; JACKSON not fully organized, not attached. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:147; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:324–325)

09 Feb 1915 JACKSON fully organized. (HRS S. Dak., Jackson-Washabaugh, 5)

03 Jun 1915 WASHABAUGH (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to JACKSON “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1915, 14th sess., ch. 147/p. 324)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) to JACKSON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) to JACKSON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1983 JACKSON gained all of WASHABAUGH; WASHABAUGH eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1981, 56th sess., ch. 47/p. 201; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 May 1862 JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; created an overlap with MINNEHAHA. JAYNE not fully organized, attached to YANKTON "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

13 Jan 1871 JAYNE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to HUTCHINSON, and to the creation of HANSON and TURNER; JAYNE eliminated, ending its attachment to YANKTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

JERAULD (S.D.)

17 Apr 1883 JERAULD created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from AURORA and BUFFALO; JERAULD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 23/p. 36)

09 Nov 1883 JERAULD fully organized. (Andreas, 177; Dunham, 73–74)

02 Nov 1889 JERAULD became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

JONES (S.D.)

07 Nov 1916 JONES created by South Dakota from LYMAN; JONES not fully organized, not attached. (Proving Up, 20; S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:147; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:325)

15 Jan 1917 JONES fully organized. (Proving Up, 21)

KIDDER (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 KIDDER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; KIDDER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 15/p. 43; Hall, 183–184)

10 Feb 1879 KIDDER lost to BURLEIGH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

22 Mar 1881 KIDDER fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

10 Mar 1885 KIDDER gained from BURLEIGH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 23/p. 255)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of STANTON from KIDDER and STUTSMAN; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 38/p. 276)

02 Nov 1889 KIDDER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

KINGSBURY (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 KINGSBURY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; KINGSBURY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 19/p. 34)

01 Oct 1879 KINGSBURY gained all of WOOD (Dakota Territory); WOOD eliminated. KINGSBURY lost to creation of BEADLE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

18 Feb 1880 KINGSBURY fully organized. (Andreas, 151)

02 Nov 1889 KINGSBURY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

KITTSON (Minn., see PEMBINA, Minn.)

KITTSON (Dakota Territory, extinct)

24 Apr 1862 KITTSON (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from non-county area; KITTSON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 17, sec. 4/p. 247; History of Pembina County, 5–6)

17 Dec 1863 KITTSON (Dakota Territory) eliminated when the act that created it was repealed. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 4, sec. 2/p. 3)

LA MOURE (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 LA MOURE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; LA MOURE not fully organized, not attached. Non-County Area (4) attached to LA MOURE for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 7/p. 51 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

24 Feb 1881 LA MOURE gained from RANSOM. Part of LA MOURE reverted to Non-County Area (4). Non-County Area (4) was detached from LA MOURE, not attached elsewhere. Most of Non-County Area (4) became part of DICKEY when DICKEY was created on 5 March 1881. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 44/p. 51)

27 Oct 1881 LA MOURE fully organized. (Andreas, 201)

09 Mar 1883 LA MOURE gained all of Non-County Area (4); Non-County Area (4) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 24/p. 37)

02 Nov 1889 LA MOURE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

LAKE (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 LAKE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BROOKINGS, HANSON, and MINNEHAHA; LAKE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 3/p. 31)

06 Oct 1873 LAKE fully organized. (Andreas, 175)

01 Oct 1879 LAKE boundaries redefined [no change]; mistake in description corrected in chapter 63/page 180. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., chs. 12, 63/pp. 20–27, 180)

02 Nov 1889 LAKE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

LARAMIE (Wyo.)

09 Jan 1867 LARAMIE (Wyo.) created by Dakota Territory from non-county area; LARAMIE covered all that part of present Wyoming, and a small piece of present Montana included in the 26 May 1864 addition to Dakota Territory. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1866, 6th sess., ch. 14/p. 43)

27 Dec 1867 LARAMIE (Wyo.) lost to creation of CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.); CARTER not fully organized, attached to LARAMIE "for representative and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 7/p. 122)

03 Jan 1868 LARAMIE (Wyo.) boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 8/p. 123)

Jan 1868 In early 1868, CARTER (now SWEETWATER, Wyo.) was fully organized, detached from LARAMIE (Wyo.). (Trenholm, 1:331)

16 Dec 1868 LARAMIE (Wyo.) lost to creation of ALBANY (Wyo.) and CARBON (Wyo.). Although Wyoming Territory had been created on 25 July 1868, Dakota Territory retained jurisdiction until 19 May 1869 when Wyoming Territory was officially organized. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1868, 8th sess., chs. 28, 35/pp. 311, 321; Trenholm, 1:84, 334; Whitehead, 197–198)

19 May 1869 Wyoming Territory became fully organized. LARAMIE (Wyo.) became a Wyoming Territory county; LARAMIE eliminated from Dakota Territory. (Trenholm, 1:84, 334)

LAWRENCE (S.D.)

11 Jan 1875 LAWRENCE created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); LAWRENCE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 5/p. 68)

10 Feb 1877 LAWRENCE exchanged with PENNINGTON, lost to creation of Non-County Area (8). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 215–216 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

Apr 1877 In April 1877, LAWRENCE was fully organized. (Andreas, 122; Early History of South Dakota Counties, 68)

19 Feb 1881 LAWRENCE gained all of Non-County Area (8); Non-County Area (8) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 45/p. 53)

06 Mar 1883 LAWRENCE lost to creation of BUTTE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1, 6/pp. 25–27)

08 Mar 1883 DELANO (extinct), PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct), SCOBEY (extinct), and STERLING (extinct) attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, sec. 7/p. 29)

09 Mar 1883 CHOTEAU (extinct), MARTIN (extinct), RINEHART (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct) attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40/pp. 59–61)

26 Jan 1887 STERLING (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to HUGHES "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

13 Mar 1887 LAWRENCE gained all of Non-County Area (16); Non-County Area (16) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

by 09 Mar 1889 LAWRENCE lost to creation of MEADE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 57, sec. 1/p. 83)

02 Nov 1889 LAWRENCE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 CHOTEAU (extinct), DELANO (extinct), MARTIN (extinct), RINEHART (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE. SCOBEY (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to MEADE. All attachments were “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to STANLEY "for judicial purposes." (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

08 Mar 1901 Legislature authorized an adjustment in the boundary between LAWRENCE and PENNINGTON, dependent on local referendum; change did not take effect [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1901, 7th sess., ch. 90/p. 115)

LINCOLN (S.D.)

05 Apr 1862 LINCOLN created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; LINCOLN not fully organized, attached to MINNEHAHA "for judicial and election purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 16, sec. 1/p. 245)

07 Jan 1864 LINCOLN lost to creation of UNION. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 14/p. 16)

15 Jan 1864 LINCOLN detached from MINNEHAHA, attached to UNION "for election and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 11/p. 13)

30 Dec 1867 LINCOLN boundaries redefined [no change]; LINCOLN fully organized, detached from UNION. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 9/p. 125; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

13 Jan 1871 LINCOLN lost to creation of TURNER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10, sec. 8/p. 406)

02 Nov 1889 LINCOLN became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

LOGAN (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 LOGAN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; LOGAN not fully organized, not attached. Non-County Area (3) was attached to LOGAN for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, secs. 14, 18/pp. 43–44; Hall, 183–184)

09 Mar 1883 LOGAN lost to creation of McINTOSH and lost attached Non-County Area (3) to creation of McINTOSH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 26/p. 39)

01 Sep 1884 LOGAN fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

02 Nov 1889 LOGAN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

LUGENBEEL (S.D., extinct)

11 Jan 1875 LUGENBEEL (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from MEYER (extinct), PRATT (extinct), and Non-County Area (1); LUGENBEEL not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 1/p. 66)

08 Mar 1883 LUGENBEEL (extinct) lost to creation of JACKSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, sec. 6/p. 29)

09 Mar 1883 LUGENBEEL (extinct) lost to creation of WASHABAUGH (extinct) and WASHINGTON (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, secs. 1–2/pp. 59–60)

02 Nov 1889 LUGENBEEL (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 LUGENBEEL (extinct) attached to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1909 LUGENBEEL lost all territory to creation of BENNETT and TODD; LUGENBEEL eliminated, ending its attachment to FALL RIVER. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

LYMAN (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 LYMAN created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from GREGORY and Non-County Area (1); LYMAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 3/p. 45)

02 Nov 1889 LYMAN became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 LYMAN attached to BRULE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

04 Jun 1891 LYMAN gained from GREGORY, PRESHO (extinct), and TRIPP. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 41/p. 101)

26 Jan 1893 Attachment of LYMAN to BRULE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 49/p. 78)

21 May 1893 LYMAN fully organized, detached from BRULE. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

11 Mar 1895 MEYER (extinct) and TRIPP attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes;” PRATT (extinct) and PRESHO (extinct) detached from BRULE, attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1897 LYMAN lost to GREGORY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 46/p. 97)

08 Nov 1898 LYMAN gained from JACKSON, NOWLIN (extinct), PRATT (extinct), PRESHO (extinct), and Non-County Area (7); NOWLIN eliminated. LYMAN lost to creation of Non-County Area (22). (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 45/p. 96)

06 Jun 1907 PRESHO eliminated, ending its attachment to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 99/p. 148)

19 Feb 1909 Attachment of MEYER (extinct) to LYMAN “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 53/p. 82)

03 Jun 1909 MELLETTE and TODD attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” MEYER and PRATT eliminated, ending their attachment to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

15 Jun 1909 TRIPP fully organized, detached from LYMAN. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

31 May 1911 MELLETTE fully organized, detached from LYMAN. (Mellette County, 4; HRS S. Dak., Mellette, 3)

07 Nov 1916 LYMAN lost to creation of JONES. (Proving Up, 20; S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:147; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:325)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of TODD to LYMAN “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 TODD detached from LYMAN, attached to TRIPP “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

McCAULEY (Dakota Territory, proposed)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of McCAULEY in present South Dakota from BROWN, EDMUNDS, and part of Non-County Area (12), dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13, sec. 1/p. 21)

McCOOK (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 McCOOK created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; McCOOK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 15/p. 34)

15 Jun 1878 McCOOK fully organized. (Within These Borders, [5])

01 Oct 1879 McCOOK gained from DAVISON and HANSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

24 Feb 1881 McCOOK boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 46/p. 54)

02 Nov 1889 McCOOK became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

McHENRY (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 McHENRY created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; McHENRY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 8/p. 41; Hall, 183–184)

15 Oct 1884 McHENRY fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

13 Mar 1885 McHENRY gained from STEVENS (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 28/p. 263)

11 Mar 1887 McHENRY gained from BOTTINEAU and WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct), lost to creation of CHURCH (extinct) and PIERCE. Part of McHENRY reverted to Non-County Area (20), which became part of WARD on 1 May 1887. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

04 Feb 1889 PIERCE attached to McHENRY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 74, sec. 3/p. 109)

06 Apr 1889 PIERCE fully organized, detached from McHENRY. (North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

02 Nov 1889 McHENRY became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 CHURCH (extinct) attached to McHENRY "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 78/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 McHENRY gained part of CHURCH; CHURCH eliminated, ending its attachment to McHENRY. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

McINTOSH (N.D.)

09 Mar 1883 McINTOSH created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from CAMPBELL, LOGAN, McPHERSON, and Non-County Area (3) attached to LOGAN; McINTOSH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 26/p. 39)

04 Oct 1884 McINTOSH fully organized. (Minutes of McIntosh County Commissioners, 4 October 1884, p. 1)

02 Nov 1889 McINTOSH became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

McKENZIE (N.D.)

09 Mar 1883 McKENZIE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct); McKENZIE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 2/p. 58)

10 Mar 1885 McKENZIE lost to DUNN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

02 Nov 1889 McKENZIE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS and STARK to gain all of McKENZIE; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 McKENZIE lost all territory to BILLINGS; McKENZIE eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 McKENZIE re-created from BILLINGS when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 McKENZIE attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

16 Mar 1905 McKENZIE gained all of ALLRED and WALLACE; ALLRED and WALLACE eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1905, 9th sess., ch. 73/p. 155; Hall, 236)

20 Apr 1905 McKENZIE fully organized, detached from STARK. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

McLEAN (N.D.)

08 Mar 1883 McLEAN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BURLEIGH, SHERIDAN, and STEVENS (extinct); McLEAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 25/p. 38)

01 Nov 1883 McLEAN fully organized. (Andreas, 195; Williams, Mary Ann, 40)

06 Apr 1885 McLEAN gained from BURLEIGH and STEVENS (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 30/p. 264; Hall, 209–210)

02 Nov 1889 McLEAN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 McLEAN gained from CHURCH, GARFIELD, STEVENS, and gained all of SHERIDAN; CHURCH, GARFIELD, SHERIDAN, and STEVENS eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

03 Nov 1908 McLEAN lost to re-creation of SHERIDAN. (Hall, 238–239)

McPHERSON (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 McPHERSON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus part of North Dakota, from BUFFALO; McPHERSON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 31/p. 36)

05 Mar 1881 McPHERSON lost to creation of DICKEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of INMAN from McPHERSON, BROWN, and part of Non-County Area (12), dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13/pp. 21–24; Brown County Territorial Pioneers, 11)

09 Mar 1883 McPHERSON lost to creation of McINTOSH; McPHERSON eliminated from present North Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 26/p. 39)

06 Mar 1884 McPHERSON fully organized. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 78; Leola Centennial Anniversary Book, 385–386)

06 Feb 1885 McPHERSON gained part of Non-County Area (12). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 14/p. 239)

08 Mar 1889 Territorial legislature authorized CAMPBELL to gain from McPHERSON; gain did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 54/p. 79)

02 Nov 1889 McPHERSON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

MAHKAHTO (Minn. Territory, extinct)

27 Oct 1849 MAHKAHTO (Minnesota Territory, extinct) created by Minnesota Territory from non-county area; included parts of present North Dakota and Minnesota. MAHKAHTO not fully organized, attached to RAMSEY (Minn.) "for judicial purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 8, 19/pp. 8–9)

01 May 1851 MAHKAHTO (Minnesota Territory, extinct) lost all territory to PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) and to the creation of CASS (Minn.); MAHKAHTO eliminated. (Minn. Terr. Rev. Stat. 1851, ch. 1, secs. 7–10, 18/pp. 31–32 and ch. 136/p. 577)

MANDAN (Dakota Territory, extinct)

11 Jan 1875 MANDAN (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); MANDAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 9/p. 69)

06 Mar 1883 MANDAN (Dakota Territory) lost to creation of BUTTE; remainder of MANDAN implicitly reverted to Non-County Area (16), which became part of LAWRENCE on 13 March 1887; MANDAN eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1, 6/pp. 25–27)

MARSHALL (S.D.)

02 May 1885 MARSHALL created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from DAY; MARSHALL not fully organized, attached to DAY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 12, secs. 1–2, 10–11/pp. 235–237)

23 Jul 1885 MARSHALL fully organized, detached from DAY. (Marshall County Historical Society, 9)

02 Nov 1889 MARSHALL became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

25 Feb 1891 MARSHALL boundaries redefined [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 42/p. 102)

MARTIN (S.D., extinct)

05 Mar 1881 MARTIN (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus part of North Dakota, from Non-County Area (1); MARTIN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 48/p. 56)

09 Mar 1883 MARTIN (extinct) lost to creation of CHOTEAU (extinct), RINEHART (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct); MARTIN attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40/pp. 59–61)

02 Nov 1889 MARTIN (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. Boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel; MARTIN lost territory to North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 MARTIN (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 MARTIN (extinct) lost to HARDING. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of MARTIN (extinct) to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 MARTIN lost all territory to BUTTE; MARTIN eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

MEADE (S.D.)

09 Mar 1889 By 9 March 1889, MEADE was created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from LAWRENCE; MEADE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 57, sec. 1/p. 83)

25 Mar 1889 MEADE fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 MEADE became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 NOWLIN (extinct) and STERLING (extinct) detached from HUGHES, attached to MEADE; SCOBEY (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to MEADE. All attachments were “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 NOWLIN (extinct) and STERLING (extinct) detached from MEADE, attached to STANLEY "for judicial purposes." (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

11 Mar 1895 DELANO (extinct) detached from BUTTE, attached to MEADE “for judicial purposes.” Attachment of SCOBEY (extinct) to MEADE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 MEADE gained from CHOTEAU (extinct) and RINEHART (extinct), and gained all of DELANO and SCOBEY; CHOTEAU, DELANO, RINEHART, and SCOBEY eliminated. Attachment of DELANO and SCOBEY to MEADE ended. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 42/p. 91; S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 148)

08 Mar 1901 Legislature authorized an adjustment in the boundary between MEADE and PENNINGTON, dependent on local referendum; change did not take effect [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1901, 7th sess., ch. 90/p. 115)

11 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized an adjustment in the boundary between MEADE and PENNINGTON, dependent on local referendum; change did not take effect [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 101/p. 109)

MELLETTE (S.D.)

03 Jun 1909 MELLETTE created by South Dakota from JACKSON, MEYER (extinct), WASHABAUGH (extinct), all of PRATT (extinct), and part of Non-County Area (7); PRATT, JACKSON, MEYER, and Non-County Area (7) eliminated. MELLETTE not fully organized, attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

02 Mar 1911 MELLETTE gained from WASHABAUGH (extinct). (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 108/p. 138)

31 May 1911 MELLETTE fully organized, detached from LYMAN. (Mellette County, 4; HRS S. Dak., Mellette, 3)

MERCER (N.D.)

08 Jan 1873 Territorial legislature authorized creation of a county named MERCER, with boundaries identical to those of PRATT; creation did not take effect (act repealed 14 January 1875). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 12/p. 47)

14 Jan 1875 MERCER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from Non-County Area (1); MERCER not fully organized, not attached. The act that created MERCER on 8 January 1873, with boundaries identical to PRATT (extinct), was nullified. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 30, sec. 1/p. 71)

10 Feb 1879 MERCER lost to BURLEIGH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

23 Feb 1881 MERCER gained from BURLEIGH and gained all of Non-County Area (10); Non-County Area (10) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 49/p. 56)

06 Nov 1883 MERCER fully organized. (HRS N. Dak., Mercer, 7)

14 Apr 1885 MERCER gained from WILLIAMS (original, extinct), lost to creation of OLIVER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 31, secs. 1–7/pp. 266–267; Hall, 207–208)

02 Nov 1889 MERCER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized MERCER to gain part of WILLIAMS (original, extinct), dependent on a referendum to be held at the next general election [no change; see 8 November 1892]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

08 Nov 1892 MERCER gained from WILLIAMS (original, extinct) and gained all of Non-County Area (21); Non-County Area (21) eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

03 Nov 1896 MERCER gained most of Non-County Area (23). Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 MERCER lost to re-creation of Non-County Area (23) when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

13 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized MERCER to gain part of Non-County Area (23); gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 68/p. 77; Hall, 233–236)

MEYER (S.D., extinct)

08 Jan 1873 MEYER (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); MEYER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 13/p. 47)

11 Jan 1875 MEYER (extinct) lost to creation of LUGENBEEL (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 1/p. 66)

02 Nov 1889 MEYER (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 MEYER (extinct) attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

19 Feb 1909 Attachment of MEYER (extinct) to LYMAN “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 53/p. 82)

03 Jun 1909 MEYER lost all territory to creation of MELLETTE and TODD; MEYER eliminated, ending its attachment to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

Michigan Territory

28 Jun 1834 Michigan Territory gained unorganized federal territory west of the Mississippi River, north of the state of Missouri, and east of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers; included the eastern parts of present North and South Dakota. (Terr. Papers U.S., 12:778–779; U.S. Stat., vol. 4, ch. 98[1834]/p. 701)

1 Oct 1834 All of present North and South Dakota that had been non-county area in Michigan Territory, became part of DUBUQUE (Iowa), which was created by Michigan Territory on this date. (Mich. Terr. Laws, 3:1326–1327)

MIDWAY (Minn. Territory, extinct)

23 May 1857 MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory, extinct) created by Minnesota Territory in present South Dakota from BROWN (Minn.); MIDWAY overlapped the western part of ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.). (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14, sec. 10/p. 68)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory) eliminated. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

MILLS (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 MILLS (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; MILLS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 24/p. 35)

01 Oct 1879 MILLS (Dakota Territory) lost to creation of BROWN. Remainder of MILLS reverted to Non-County Area (12); MILLS eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

MINER (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 MINER created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; MINER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 13/p. 33)

01 Oct 1879 MINER gained from WETMORE (Dakota Territory, extinct) and gained all of BRAMBLE (Dakota Territory); BRAMBLE and WETMORE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

02 Dec 1880 MINER fully organized. (Andreas, 168; HRS S. Dak., Miner, 3)

03 Mar 1881 MINER boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 47/p. 55)

01 May 1883 MINER lost to creation of SANBORN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 31/p. 46; Andreas, 169; History of Pioneer Sanborn County, 63)

02 Nov 1889 MINER became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

MINNEHAHA (S.D.)

05 Apr 1862 MINNEHAHA created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; BROOKINGS, DEUEL, and LINCOLN attached to MINNEHAHA "for judicial and election purposes.” (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 16, sec. 2/p. 245)

08 May 1862 Creation of JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created an overlap with MINNEHAHA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

15 Jan 1864 MINNEHAHA attached to UNION "for election and judicial purposes;" LINCOLN detached from MINNEHAHA, attached to UNION "for election and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 11/p. 13)

04 Jan 1868 MINNEHAHA fully organized, detached from UNION. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 10/p. 126; Bailey, 36–38)

13 Jan 1871 MINNEHAHA lost to creation of HANSON; JAYNE (Dakota Territory) eliminated, ending overlap with MINNEHAHA. BROOKINGS fully organized, detached from MINNEHAHA. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., chs. 2, 10/pp. 404–409, 559; Andreas, 160)

08 Jan 1873 MINNEHAHA lost to creation of LAKE and MOODY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, secs. 2–3/p. 31)

20 May 1878 DEUEL fully organized, detached from MINNEHAHA. (Andreas, 182; Cochrane, 1: [7])

02 Nov 1889 MINNEHAHA became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

Minnesota Territory

03 Mar 1849 The United States created Minnesota Territory from unorganized federal territory and de facto Wisconsin Territory. Minnesota Territory included all of present Minnesota and that part of present North and South Dakota east of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers. (U.S. Stat., vol. 9, ch. 121[1849]/pp. 403–409; Van Zandt, 133)

27 Oct 1849 The non-county area in Minnesota Territory, located in present North and South Dakota, was eliminated when Minnesota Territory created DAKOTA (Minn.), MAHKAHTO (Minnesota Territory, extinct), PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.), WABASHA (Minn.), and WAHNAHTA (Minnesota Territory, extinct). (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 6, 19/pp. 8–9)

Missouri Territory

07 Dec 1812 Louisiana Territory was renamed Missouri Territory, and the Territory's five districts were designated counties. The former part of ST. LOUIS (Mo.) in present North and South Dakota became non-county area in Missouri Territory. (Terr. Papers U.S., 14:599–601; U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 95[1812]/pp. 743–747)

31 Dec 1813 All of present North and South Dakota south of the Missouri River drainage basin became non-county area in Missouri Territory when the extent of ST. CHARLES (Mo.) was reduced. (Mo. Laws Pub. and Gen., 1:ch. 99/pp. 293–295)

20 Oct 1818 A Convention of Commerce between Great Britain and the United States established the parallel of 49 degrees north latitude, from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, as the northern boundary of the United States and southern boundary of the British possessions. Jurisdiction of Missouri Territory was expanded to include all of present North and South Dakota. (Parry, 69:294–297)

10 Aug 1821 The state of Missouri was created from Missouri Territory; Missouri Territory eliminated. All the former territory north and west of Missouri, including all of present North and South Dakota, became unorganized federal territory. (Terr. Papers U.S., 15:742; U.S. Stat., vol. 3, ch. 22[1820]/pp. 545–548 and res. 1[1821]/p. 645)

MOODY (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 MOODY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BROOKINGS and MINNEHAHA; MOODY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 2/p. 31)

30 Aug 1873 MOODY fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 MOODY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

MORTON (N.D.)

08 Jan 1873 MORTON created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from Non-County Area (1); MORTON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 9/p. 47)

05 Nov 1878 MORTON fully organized. (Peterson, Marion P., 2)

10 Feb 1879 MORTON gained from BOREMAN (extinct) and Non-County Area (1), lost to BURLEIGH; part of MORTON reverted to Non-County Area (9). MORTON no longer fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19; Peterson, Marion P., 2)

08 Feb 1881 MORTON gained from BURLEIGH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 50/p. 57)

28 Feb 1881 MORTON fully organized. (Andreas, 193; Peterson, Marion P., 2)

14 Apr 1885 OLIVER attached to MORTON "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 31, secs. 1–7/pp. 266–267)

18 May 1885 OLIVER fully organized, detached from MORTON. (Hall, 208; North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

18 Feb 1887 MORTON gained from HETTINGER and STARK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 183/p. 380)

02 Nov 1889 MORTON became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized MORTON to gain part of Non-County Area (9) [Standing Rock Indian Reservation], dependent on local referendum. Vote was 370 to 83 against the gain [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

12 Mar 1897 Legislature authorized MORTON to gain all of Non-County Area (9) [Standing Rock Indian Reservation]; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 79/p. 122; Hall, 233)

07 Nov 1916 MORTON lost to creation of GRANT. (Hall, 249)

MOUNTRAIL (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 MOUNTRAIL created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; MOUNTRAIL not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 5/p. 40; Hall, 183–184)

13 Mar 1885 MOUNTRAIL lost to creation of GARFIELD (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 21/p. 253)

02 Nov 1889 MOUNTRAIL became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 MOUNTRAIL attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 MOUNTRAIL lost all territory to WARD; MOUNTRAIL eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

16 Jan 1909 MOUNTRAIL re-created from WARD with somewhat different boundaries from the original MOUNTRAIL eliminated 8 November 1892. Vote authorizing the re-creation of MOUNTRAIL passed 4207 to 4024 in the general election held 3 November 1908. Litigation delayed this enactment until 16 January 1909 when the North Dakota Supreme Court upheld the vote. MOUNTRAIL not fully organized, not attached. ("State of North Dakota v. Alfred Blaisdell, et al." in N. Dak. Rpts., 18:31–44; Hall, 241–242)

29 Jan 1909 MOUNTRAIL fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

Nebraska Territory

30 May 1854 The United States created Nebraska Territory from unorganized federal territory; included all of present Nebraska, and parts of present Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, plus those parts of present North and South Dakota west of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers. (U.S. Stat., vol. 10, ch. 59[1854]/pp. 277–290; Van Zandt, 136–137)

2 Mar 1861 The United States created Dakota Territory from Nebraska Territory and unorganized federal territory; included all of present North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of present Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Nebraska Territory eliminated from present North and South Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., pp. 21–28; U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 86[1861]/pp. 239–244; Van Zandt, 134, 136)

NELSON (N.D.)

02 Mar 1883 NELSON created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from FOSTER, GRAND FORKS, RAMSEY, and all of Non-County Area (15) [former part of FOSTER]; NELSON not fully organized, attached to GRAND FORKS "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 28/p. 41)

09 Mar 1883 NELSON gained from RAMSEY. NELSON boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 12, 27/pp. 19, 40)

09 Jun 1883 NELSON fully organized, detached from GRAND FORKS. (Andreas, 204; History of the Red River Valley, 2:669; North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

02 Nov 1889 NELSON became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

NICKEUS (Dakota Territory, proposed)

08 Mar 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of NICKEUS in present North Dakota from CAVALIER, PEMBINA, RAMSEY, and WALSH; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 29/pp. 42–43)

Non-County Area 1 (S.D.)

13 Jan 1871 Non-County Area (1) created in western Dakota Territory. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

08 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of BOREMAN (extinct), HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct), LYMAN, MEYER (extinct), MORTON, PRATT (extinct), PRESHO (extinct), RUSK (now DEWEY), STANLEY, TRIPP, and WILLIAMS (original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19/pp. 45–48)

11 Jan 1875 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), CUSTER, DELANO (extinct), FORSYTHE (Dakota Territory, extinct), LAWRENCE, LUGENBEEL (extinct), MANDAN (Dakota Territory, extinct), PENNINGTON, SHANNON, and WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29/pp. 66–70)

14 Jan 1875 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of MERCER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 30, sec. 1/p. 71)

10 Feb 1879 Non-County Area (1) lost to BURLEIGH and MORTON, and lost to creation of BILLINGS, STARK, and Non-County Area (10) located between MERCER and MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

05 Mar 1881 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of HARDING and MARTIN (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., chs. 43, 48/pp. 51, 56)

09 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of SCHNASSE (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 34/p. 51)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (1) became part of the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1909 Non-County Area (1) lost to creation of CORSON. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

by 1 Feb 1911 Non-County Area (1) lost to DEWEY when boundaries were moved to run on federal land survey lines. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137; S. Dak. Rev. Code 1919, 1:142, 145)

01 Feb 1911 Non-County Area (1) lost all territory to creation of ZIEBACH; Non-County Area (1) eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

Non-County Area 2 (Dakota Territory)

04 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (2) created from BUFFALO; attached to BURLEIGH for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, secs. 16, 18/p. 44)

10 Feb 1879 Non-County Area (2), attached to BURLEIGH, lost all territory to creation of EMMONS; Non-County Area (2) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 2/p. 18)

Non-County Area 3 (Dakota Territory)

04 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (3) created from BUFFALO; attached to LOGAN for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, secs. 14, 18/pp. 43–44)

09 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (3), attached to LOGAN, lost all territory to creation of McINTOSH; Non-County Area (3) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 26/p. 39)

Non-County Area 4 (Dakota Territory)

04 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (4) created from PEMBINA; attached to LA MOURE for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 7/p. 51 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

24 Feb 1881 Non-County Area (4) gained from LA MOURE and was detached from LA MOURE; not attached elsewhere. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 44/p. 51)

05 Mar 1881 Non-County Area (4) lost to creation of DICKEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

09 Mar 1883 LA MOURE gained all of Non-County Area (4); Non-County Area (4) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 24/p. 37)

Non-County Area 5 (Dakota Territory)

04 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (5) created from PEMBINA; attached to RANSOM for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 8/p. 52 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

05 Mar 1881 Non-County Area (5), attached to RANSOM, lost to creation of DICKEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

09 Apr 1883 Non-County Area (5), attached to RANSOM, lost all territory to creation of SARGENT; Non-County Area (5) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

Non-County Area 6 (Dakota Territory)

04 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (6) created from PEMBINA; attached to RICHLAND for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 4/p. 50 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

08 Mar 1883 RICHLAND gained all of Non-County Area (6) that had been attached to RICHLAND; Non-County Area (6) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

Non-County Area 7 (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 Non-County Area (7) was created between PRATT (extinct) and PRESHO (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, secs. 5, 12, 14/pp. 46–47)

11 Jan 1875 Non-County Area (7) gained from STANLEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 11/p. 70)

09 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (7) lost to STANLEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 35/p. 52; "Collins v. Lyman County," in S. Dak. Rpts., 30:104–118)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (7) became part of the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

28 Feb 1893 Non-County Area (7) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

08 Nov 1898 Non-County Area (7) lost to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 45/p. 96)

06 Jun 1907 Non-County Area (7) gained part of PRESHO and gained from TRIPP; PRESHO eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 99/p. 148)

03 Jun 1909 Non-County Area (7) lost all territory to creation of MELLETTE and TODD; Non-County Area (7) eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

Non-County Area 8 (Dakota Territory)

10 Feb 1877 Non-County Area (8) created from LAWRENCE between the Belle Fourche and Redwater Rivers. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 215–216 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

19 Feb 1881 LAWRENCE gained all of Non-County Area (8); Non-County Area (8) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 45/p. 53)

Non-County Area 9 (N.D.)

10 Feb 1879 Non-County Area (9) created from MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19; Peterson, Marion P., 2)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (9) became part of the state of North Dakota. Non-County Area (9) gained from BOREMAN (extinct), EWING (extinct), MARTIN (extinct), SCHNASSE (extinct), and WAGNER (extinct) when the boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS and STARK to gain part of Non-County Area (9); gains did not take effect [no change]. Legislature authorized MORTON to gain part of Non-County Area (9) [Standing Rock Indian Reservation], dependent on local referendum. Vote was 370 to 83 against the gain [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 Non-County Area (9) lost to BILLINGS and STARK. Remaining part of Non-County Area (9) included the Standing Rock Indian Reservation. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

03 Sep 1914 Non-County Area (9) [Standing Rock Indian Reservation] lost all territory to creation of SIOUX; Non-County Area (9) eliminated. (Hall, 248)

Non-County Area 10 (Dakota Territory)

10 Feb 1879 Non-County Area (10) created from Non-County Area (1); it was located between MERCER and MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11/pp. 18–19)

23 Feb 1881 MERCER gained all of Non-County Area (10); Non-County Area (10) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 49/p. 56)

Non-County Area 11 (Dakota Territory)

01 Oct 1879 Non-County Area (11) created from HAND. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

27 Feb 1883 HYDE gained all of Non-County Area (11); Non-County Area (11) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 21/p. 33)

Non-County Area 12 (Dakota Territory)

01 Oct 1879 Non-County Area (12) created from parts of BEADLE (original), MILLS, STONE, and THOMPSON; BEADLE (original), MILLS, STONE, and THOMPSON eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

05 Mar 1881 Non-County Area (12) lost to creation of DICKEY and lost to creation of Non-County Area (14). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

27 Feb 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of INMAN (proposed) and McCAULEY (proposed) from part of Non-County Area (12), dependent on local referendum. Referendum failed at election held 1 May 1883 [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 13, secs. 1, 3/p. 21)

08 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (12) lost to FAULK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 19/p. 31)

06 Feb 1885 Non-County Area (12) lost all territory to EDMUNDS and McPHERSON; Non-County Area (12) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 14/p. 239)

Non-County Area 13 (Dakota Territory)

01 Oct 1879 Non-County Area (13) created from part of CRAGIN; CRAGIN eliminated. Territorial legislature authorized the combining of DAVISON and HANSON, plus Non-County Area (13), into a single county named HANSON; consolidation did not take place [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

24 Feb 1881 DAVISON and HANSON gained all of Non-County Area (13); Non-County Area (13) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 46/p. 54)

Non-County Area 14 (Dakota Territory)

05 Mar 1881 Non-County Area (14) created from Non-County Area (12); it was located north of DAY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

09 Apr 1883 Non-County Area (14) lost all territory to creation of SARGENT; Non-County Area (14) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

Non-County Area 15 (Dakota Territory)

14 Feb 1883 Non-County Area (15) created from FOSTER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 20/p. 32)

02 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (15) lost all territory to creation of NELSON; Non-County Area (15) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 28/p. 41)

Non-County Area 16 (Dakota Territory)

06 Mar 1883 Non-County Area (16) created from MANDAN (Dakota Territory) when MANDAN was eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 15, secs. 1, 6/pp. 25–27)

13 Mar 1887 LAWRENCE gained all of Non-County Area (16); Non-County Area (16) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

Non-County Area 17 (N.D.)

13 Mar 1885 Non-County Area (17) created from STEVENS (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., chs. 21, 28/pp. 253, 263)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (17) became part of the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 Non-County Area (17) lost all territory to WARD; Non-County Area (17) eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

Non-County Area 18 (N.D.)

by 13 Mar 1885 Non-County Area (18) created from RAMSEY. This area was to become part of BLAINE. On 13 March 1885, the territorial legislature authorized creation of BLAINE from RAMSEY, CAVALIER, and WALSH; creation did not take effect. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., chs. 4, 32/pp. 227, 269)

by 12 May 1885 Non-County Area (18) gained from CAVALIER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 11/p. 233)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (18) became part of the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

04 Nov 1890 Non-County Area (18) lost all territory to RAMSEY; Non-County Area (18) eliminated. Act passed 11 March 1890; took effect 4 November 1890 when voters in the area agreed to become part of RAMSEY. (N. Dak. Laws 1889, 1st sess., ch. 201/p. 549)

Non-County Area 19 (Dakota Territory)

02 May 1885 Non-County Area (19) created from DAY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 12, secs. 1–2, 10–11/pp. 235–237)

08 Mar 1889 Non-County Area (19) lost all territory to DAY; Non-County Area (19) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 55/p. 81)

Non-County Area 20 (N.D.)

11 Mar 1887 Non-County Area (20) created from McHENRY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

01 May 1887 Non-County Area (20) lost to WARD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 181, sec. 6/p. 379)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (20) became part of the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 Non-County Area (20) lost all territory to WARD; Non-County Area (20) eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

Non-County Area 21 (N.D.)

13 Mar 1887 Non-County Area (21) created from STARK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

2 Nov 1889 Non-County Area (21) became part of the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 Non-County Area (21) lost all territory to MERCER; Non-County Area (21) eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

Non-County Area 22 (S.D.)

08 Nov 1898 Non-County Area (22) created in South Dakota from LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 45/p. 96)

06 Jun 1907 Non-County Area (22) lost all territory to TRIPP; Non-County Area (22) eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 99/p. 148)

Non-County Area 23 (N.D.)

08 Nov 1892 Non-County Area (23) created in North Dakota from WILLIAMS (original, extinct). This area was to have been part of STARK, but the gain did not take effect. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

03 Nov 1896 MERCER and STARK gained all of Non-County Area (23); Non-County Area (23) eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 Non-County Area (23) re-created from MERCER and STARK when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 Non-County Area (23) attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

13 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized MERCER and STARK to gain all of Non-County Area (23); gain did not take effect [no change]. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court during the 1905 session. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., chs. 68–69/pp. 77–80; Hall, 233–236; "State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

Dec 1905 In December 1905, the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 13 March 1903 by which STARK was authorized to gain part of Non-County Area (23) [no change]. ("State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

18 Jan 1908 DUNN and STARK gained all of Non-County Area (23); Non-County Area (23) eliminated, ending its attachment to STARK. ("Dunn County," 2; Hall, 238–239)

NOWLIN (S.D., extinct)

08 Mar 1883 NOWLIN (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) and WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct); NOWLIN not fully organized, attached to PENNINGTON "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 5, 8/pp. 28–29)

26 Jan 1887 NOWLIN (extinct) detached from PENNINGTON, attached to HUGHES "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

02 Nov 1889 NOWLIN (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 NOWLIN (extinct) detached from HUGHES, attached to MEADE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 NOWLIN (extinct) detached from MEADE, attached to STANLEY “for judicial purposes." (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

28 Feb 1893 NOWLIN (extinct) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of NOWLIN (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 NOWLIN lost all territory to LYMAN and STANLEY; NOWLIN eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., chs. 41, 45/pp. 90, 96)

OLIVER (N.D.)

14 Apr 1885 OLIVER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from MERCER. OLIVER not fully organized, attached to MORTON "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 31, secs. 2–5/pp. 266–267; Hall, 207–208)

18 May 1885 OLIVER fully organized, detached from MORTON. (Hall, 208; North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

02 Nov 1889 OLIVER became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

PEMBINA (Minn., now KITTSON, Minn.)

27 Oct 1849 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from non-county area; included parts of present North Dakota and Minnesota. PEMBINA not fully organized, attached to BENTON (Minn.) "for judicial purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 9, 19/pp. 8–9)

01 May 1851 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) gained from MAHKAHTO (Minnesota Territory, extinct) and WAHNAHTA (Minnesota Territory, extinct), and lost to creation of CASS (Minn.); PEMBINA now included parts of present North and South Dakota and Minnesota. (Minn. Terr. Rev. Stat. 1851, ch. 1, secs. 7–10, 18/pp. 31–32 and ch. 136/p. 577)

04 Mar 1852 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) fully organized for county government and judicial purposes; detached from BENTON (Minn.). (Minn. Terr. Laws 1852, ch. 20, sec. 1/p. 34)

05 Mar 1853 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) re-attached to BENTON (Minn.) "for judicial and other purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1853, ch. 3, sec. 5/p. 9)

07 Feb 1854 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) detached from BENTON (Minn.), attached to NICOLLET (Minn.) "for judicial and other purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1854, ch. 53, sec. 5/p. 176)

25 Feb 1858 PEMBINA's (now KITTSON, Minn.) organization for county government was repealed. (Minn. Laws 1857–1858, spec., ch. 44/p. 155)

08 Mar 1858 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) lost to creation of DOUGLAS (Minn.); area within present North and South Dakota was unchanged. (Minn. Laws 1857–1858, spec., ch. 74, secs. 1–2/p. 215)

18 Mar 1858 PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) lost to creation of BECKER (Minn.), BRECKENBRIDGE (now CLAY, Minn.), OTTER TAIL (Minn.), and TOOMBS (now WILKIN, Minn.); area within present North and South Dakota was unchanged. (Minn. Laws 1857–1858, spec., ch. 34, secs. 1–4/pp. 144–145 and ch. 64, secs. 1–2/p. 180)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.) eliminated from present North and South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

PEMBINA (N.D.)

09 Jan 1867 PEMBINA created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from non-county area; PEMBINA not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1866, 6th sess., ch. 15/p. 44; Royce, 828–829, pl. 120)

12 Aug 1867 PEMBINA fully organized. (History of Pembina County, 3; History of the Red River Valley, 2:587, 657)

13 Jan 1871 PEMBINA gained non-county area. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

04 Jan 1873 PEMBINA lost to creation of BURBANK (now BARNES), CASS, CAVALIER, FOSTER, GRAND FORKS, LA MOURE, RAMSEY, RANSOM, RICHLAND, and STUTSMAN. PEMBINA also lost to creation of Non-County Area (4), Non-County Area (5), and Non-County Area (6). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., chs. 18, 20/pp. 39–44, 48–52)

02 May 1881 PEMBINA lost to creation of WALSH. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 51, secs. 1–2/pp. 59–60 and ch. 52/p. 61)

08 Mar 1883 TOWNER attached to PEMBINA "for judicial purposes." Territorial legislature authorized the creation of HARVEY from PEMBINA and CAVALIER and the creation of NICKEUS from PEMBINA, CAVALIER, RAMSEY, and WALSH; creations did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 22, 29, 37/pp. 34, 42–43, 54)

24 Jan 1884 TOWNER fully organized, detached from PEMBINA. (Andreas, 207)

by 12 May 1885 Territorial legislature authorized CAVALIER to gain from PEMBINA, dependent on local referendum. Results are unknown, but it appeared to fail [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 11/p. 233)

11 Mar 1887 PEMBINA lost to CAVALIER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 182/p. 380)

02 Nov 1889 PEMBINA became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

PENNINGTON (S.D.)

11 Jan 1875 PENNINGTON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); PENNINGTON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 6/p. 68)

10 Feb 1877 PENNINGTON exchanged with CUSTER and LAWRENCE, lost to creation of ZIEBACH (original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 215–216 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

19 Apr 1877 PENNINGTON fully organized. (Andreas, 119; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

08 Mar 1883 JACKSON, NOWLIN (extinct), and ZIEBACH (original, extinct) attached to PENNINGTON "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 7–8/p. 29)

26 Jan 1887 NOWLIN (extinct) detached from PENNINGTON, attached to HUGHES "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

02 Nov 1889 PENNINGTON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of JACKSON and ZIEBACH (original, extinct) to PENNINGTON “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 JACKSON detached from PENNINGTON, attached to STANLEY “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of ZIEBACH (original, extinct) to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 PENNINGTON gained from WASHINGTON (extinct) and ZIEBACH (original); ZIEBACH (original) eliminated, ending its attachment to PENNINGTON. PENNINGTON lost a very small area to WASHINGTON (extinct) along a river meander. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 44/p. 94)

08 Mar 1901 Legislature authorized an adjustment in the boundary of PENNINGTON with LAWRENCE and MEADE, dependent on local referendum; change did not take effect [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1901, 7th sess., ch. 90/p. 115)

11 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized an adjustment in the boundary between PENNINGTON and MEADE, dependent on local referendum; change did not take effect [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 101/p. 109)

21 Jun 1919 WASHINGTON (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of WASHINGTON (extinct) to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1945 WASHINGTON eliminated, ending its attachment to PENNINGTON. (S. Dak. Laws 1943, 28th sess., ch. 23/p. 40; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

PERKINS (S.D.)

03 Nov 1908 PERKINS created by South Dakota from BUTTE; PERKINS not fully organized, not attached. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:143, 146, 149; S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 7/p. 7; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:319, 324, 328–329)

09 Feb 1909 PERKINS fully organized. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 92)

PIERCE (N.D.)

11 Mar 1887 PIERCE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BOTTINEAU, McHENRY, ROLETTE, and all of DE SMET (Dakota Territory); DE SMET eliminated. PIERCE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

04 Feb 1889 PIERCE attached to McHENRY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 74, sec. 3/p. 109)

06 Apr 1889 PIERCE fully organized, detached from McHENRY. (North Dakota Blue Book, 450)

02 Nov 1889 PIERCE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 PIERCE gained part of CHURCH, CHURCH eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

PIPESTONE (Minn., now ROCK, Minn.)

23 May 1857 PIPESTONE (now ROCK, Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from BROWN (Minn.); included parts of present Minnesota and South Dakota. PIPESTONE not fully organized, attached to BIG SIOUX (Minnesota Territory, extinct) "for all judicial and elective purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14, secs. 4, 14/pp. 67, 69)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory, Minnesota Territory eliminated. PIPESTONE (now ROCK, Minn.) eliminated from present South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

PIPESTONE, Minn. (see ROCK, Minn.)

POTTER (S.D., created as ASHMORE)

08 Jan 1873 ASHMORE (now POTTER) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; ASHMORE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 34/p. 37)

14 Jan 1875 ASHMORE renamed POTTER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 30/p. 71)

08 Mar 1883 POTTER gained from FAULK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 19/p. 31)

27 Dec 1883 POTTER fully organized. (Stilgebouer, 20; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 POTTER became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

PRATT (S.D., extinct)

08 Jan 1873 PRATT (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1). Territorial legislature authorized creation of MERCER, with boundaries identical to those of PRATT; creation of MERCER did not take effect (act repealed 14 January 1875). PRATT not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, secs. 12, 14/p. 47)

11 Jan 1875 PRATT (extinct) lost to STANLEY, and lost to the creation of CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct), LUGENBEEL (extinct), and WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, secs. 1, 7, 10–11/pp. 66, 68, 70)

14 Jan 1875 MERCER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from Non-County Area (1); the act that created MERCER on 8 January 1873, with boundaries identical to PRATT (extinct), was nullified. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 31/p. 73)

09 Mar 1883 PRATT (extinct) gained from STANLEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 35/p. 52; "Collins v. Lyman County," in S. Dak. Rpts., 30:104–118)

02 Nov 1889 PRATT (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 PRATT (extinct) attached to BRULE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

28 Feb 1893 PRATT (extinct) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

11 Mar 1895 PRATT (extinct) detached from BRULE, attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 PRATT (extinct) lost to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 45/p. 96)

03 Jun 1909 PRATT lost all territory to creation of MELLETTE; PRATT eliminated, ending its attachment to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

PRESHO (S.D., extinct)

08 Jan 1873 PRESHO (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); PRESHO not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 5/p. 46)

11 Jan 1875 PRESHO (extinct) exchanged with STANLEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, secs. 7, 11/pp. 68, 70)

09 Mar 1883 PRESHO (extinct) lost to STANLEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 35/p. 52; "Collins v. Lyman County," in S. Dak. Rpts., 30:104–118)

02 Nov 1889 PRESHO (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 PRESHO (extinct) attached to BRULE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

04 Jun 1891 PRESHO (extinct) gained from TRIPP, lost to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 41/p. 101)

11 Mar 1895 PRESHO (extinct) detached from BRULE, attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 PRESHO (extinct) lost to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 45/p. 96)

06 Jun 1907 PRESHO lost to TRIPP; remainder of PRESHO became part of Non-County Area (7). PRESHO eliminated, ending its attachment to LYMAN. (S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 99/p. 148)

PYATT (see ARMSTRONG, S.D., extinct)

RAMSEY (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 RAMSEY created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; RAMSEY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 10/p. 42; Hall 183–184)

25 Jan 1883 RAMSEY fully organized. (Andreas, 205)

02 Mar 1883 RAMSEY lost to creation of NELSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 28/p. 41)

08 Mar 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of NICKEUS from RAMSEY, CAVALIER, PEMBINA, and WALSH; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 29/pp. 42–43)

09 Mar 1883 RAMSEY lost to creation of BENSON and lost to NELSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 12/p. 19)

13 Mar 1885 By 13 March 1885, RAMSEY gained from CAVALIER, lost to BENSON, and lost to creation of Non-County Area (18) [territory that was to become part of BLAINE]. On 13 March 1885, the territorial legislature authorized creation of BLAINE from RAMSEY, CAVALIER, and WALSH; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., chs. 4, 32/pp. 227, 269)

28 Apr 1885 RAMSEY gained from BENSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 32, sec. 3/p. 270; Hall, 213–214)

26 Jan 1889 TOWNER attached to RAMSEY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 73/p. 108)

07 Feb 1889 RAMSEY boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 58/p. 89)

02 Nov 1889 RAMSEY became a county in the state of North Dakota. By 2 November 1889, TOWNER was fully organized, detached from RAMSEY. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:497, 517–518, 526–527; Van Zandt, 134, Everton, 191)

04 Nov 1890 RAMSEY gained all of Non-County Area (18); Non-County Area (18) eliminated. Act passed 11 March 1890; took effect 4 November 1890 when voters in the area agreed to become part of RAMSEY. (N. Dak. Laws 1889, 1st sess., ch. 201/p. 549)

04 Mar 1891 RAMSEY boundaries clarified; confirmed gain of 4 November 1890 [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 129/p. 328)

06 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized RAMSEY to gain from BENSON; gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 130/p. 329)

RANSOM (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 RANSOM created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; RANSOM not fully organized, not attached. Non-County Area (5) attached to RANSOM for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 8/p. 52 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

24 Feb 1881 RANSOM lost to LA MOURE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 44/p. 51)

05 Mar 1881 RANSOM lost to creation of DICKEY, and RANSOM lost part of attached Non-County Area (5) to creation of DICKEY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 40/p. 44)

04 Apr 1881 RANSOM fully organized. (Andreas, 202; Arnold, 58; History of the Red River Valley, 2:721)

09 Apr 1883 RANSOM lost to creation of SARGENT and lost attached Non-County Area (5) to creation of SARGENT; SARGENT not fully organized, attached to RANSOM “for recording purposes.” (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

08 Oct 1883 SARGENT fully organized, detached from RANSOM. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

02 Nov 1889 RANSOM became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

RENVILLE (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 RENVILLE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; RENVILLE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 4/p. 40; Hall, 183–184)

09 Mar 1883 RENVILLE lost to creation of WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 41/p. 61)

14 Apr 1885 RENVILLE lost to creation of WARD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 42/p. 280; Hall, 210)

11 Mar 1887 RENVILLE gained from WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct), lost to WARD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 181/p. 378)

02 Nov 1889 RENVILLE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 RENVILLE attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 RENVILLE lost all territory to BOTTINEAU and WARD; RENVILLE eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

12 Jul 1910 RENVILLE re-created from WARD with somewhat different boundaries from the original RENVILLE that was eliminated 8 November 1892. Vote authorizing this creation was held 3 November 1908, but litigation delayed enactment until a North Dakota Supreme Court ruling of 3 June 1910 upheld the election results. The governor’s proclamation created RENVILLE on 12 July 1910; RENVILLE not fully organized, not attached. ("Fitzmaurice v. Willis," in N. Dak. Rpts., 20:372–392; Hall, 241–246; North Dakota Blue Book, 447, 451; Pioneers and Progress, 10)

20 Jul 1910 RENVILLE fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451; Pioneers and Progress, 10)

RICHLAND (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 RICHLAND created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from PEMBINA; RICHLAND not fully organized, not attached. Non-County Area (6) attached to RICHLAND for administrative and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 4/p. 50 and ch. 18, sec. 18/p. 44)

25 Nov 1873 RICHLAND fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

08 Mar 1883 RICHLAND gained all of Non-County Area (6) that had been attached to RICHLAND; Non-County Area (6) eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

09 Apr 1883 SARGENT attached to RICHLAND "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

08 Oct 1883 SARGENT fully organized, detached from RICHLAND. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

09 Mar 1885 RICHLAND gained from ROBERTS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 34/p. 272)

02 Nov 1889 RICHLAND became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

RINEHART (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 RINEHART (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from MARTIN (extinct); RINEHART not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 5/p. 60)

02 Nov 1889 RINEHART (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 RINEHART (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of RINEHART (extinct) to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 RINEHART lost all territory to BUTTE and MEADE; RINEHART eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

ROBERTS (S.D.)

08 Mar 1883 ROBERTS created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, and part of North Dakota, from GRANT and part of the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve; ROBERTS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

06 Aug 1883 ROBERTS fully organized. (Andreas, 171; Roberts County Centennial Committee, 25)

02 Feb 1885 Boundary between ROBERTS and GRANT clarified [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 22/p. 254)

09 Mar 1885 ROBERTS lost to RICHLAND; ROBERTS eliminated from present North Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 34/p. 272)

02 Nov 1889 ROBERTS became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

ROCK (Minn., now PIPESTONE, Minn.)

23 May 1857 ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from BROWN (Minn.); included parts of present Minnesota and South Dakota. ROCK overlapped part of MIDWAY (Minnesota Territory, extinct). ROCK not fully organized, attached to MURRAY (Minn.) "for all judicial and elective purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1857, ext. sess., ch. 14, secs. 9, 14/pp. 68–69)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. ROCK (now PIPESTONE, Minn.) eliminated from present South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, History of South Dakota, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

ROCK, Minn., (see PIPESTONE, Minn.)

ROLETTE (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 ROLETTE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; ROLETTE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 2/p. 40; Hall, 183–184)

08 Mar 1883 ROLETTE lost to creation of TOWNER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 37/p. 54)

14 Oct 1884 ROLETTE fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

11 Mar 1887 ROLETTE lost to creation of PIERCE. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

02 Nov 1889 ROLETTE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

RUSK (see DEWEY, S.D.)

ST. CHARLES (Mo.)

01 Oct 1804 The United States divided the Louisiana Purchase at the parallel of 33 degrees north latitude into the District of Louisiana and Orleans Territory. Almost all of present South Dakota and part of present North Dakota became part of the District of Louisiana; the District was not fully organized and was attached to Indiana Territory for administrative and judicial purposes. ST. CHARLES District (Mo.) created by the District of Louisiana from non-county area; it included all or part of six present states, including portions of present North and South Dakota. (Terr. Papers U.S., 13:51–52; U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 38[1804]/pp. 283–289)

04 Jul 1805 ST. CHARLES (Mo.) became a district (county) in Louisiana Territory when the District of Louisiana was renamed Louisiana Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 31[1805]/pp. 331–332)

07 Dec 1812 ST. CHARLES (Mo.) became a county in Missouri Territory when Louisiana Territory was renamed Missouri Territory. (Terr. Papers U.S., 14:599–601; U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 95[1812]/pp. 743–747)

31 Dec 1813 Most of ST. CHARLES (Mo.) reverted to non-county area; ST. CHARLES eliminated from present North and South Dakota. (Mo. Laws Pub. and Gen., 1:ch. 99/pp. 293–295)

ST. LOUIS (Mo.)

01 Oct 1804 The United States divided the Louisiana Purchase at the parallel of 33 degrees north latitude into the District of Louisiana and Orleans Territory. Almost all of present South Dakota and part of present North Dakota became part of the District of Louisiana; the District was not fully organized and was attached to Indiana Territory for administrative and judicial purposes. ST. LOUIS District (Mo.) created by the District of Louisiana from non-county area; it included all or part of eight present states, including portions of present North and South Dakota. (Terr. Papers U.S., 13:51–52; U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 38[1804]/pp. 283–289)

04 Jul 1805 ST. LOUIS (Mo.) became a district (county) in Louisiana Territory when the District of Louisiana was renamed Louisiana Territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 31[1805]/pp. 331–332)

07 Dec 1812 ST. LOUIS District (Mo.) eliminated from present North and South Dakota when its boundaries were changed and its area was reduced. (Terr. Papers U.S., 14:599–601; U.S. Stat., vol. 2, ch. 95[1812]/pp. 743–747)

SANBORN (S.D.)

01 May 1883 SANBORN created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from MINER; SANBORN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 31/p. 46; Andreas, 169; History of Pioneer Sanborn County, 63)

18 Jul 1883 SANBORN fully organized. (Reminiscing: A Centennial History of Sanborn County, 13; Supplement to History of Pioneer Sanborn County, 51)

02 Nov 1889 SANBORN became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

SARGENT (N.D.)

09 Apr 1883 SARGENT created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from RANSOM, Non-County Area (5) attached to RANSOM, Non-County Area (14), and non-county area in the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve; SARGENT not fully organized, attached to RICHLAND "for judicial purposes" and to RANSOM "for recording purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

08 Oct 1883 SARGENT fully organized, detached from RANSOM and RICHLAND. (North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

02 Nov 1889 SARGENT became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

SCHNASSE (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 SCHNASSE (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, and part of North Dakota, from Non-County Area (1) and a small part of BOREMAN (extinct); SCHNASSE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 34/p. 51)

02 Nov 1889 SCHNASSE (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. Boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel; SCHNASSE lost territory to North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 SCHNASSE (extinct) attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

02 Mar 1909 SCHNASSE (extinct) lost to creation of CORSON. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

01 Feb 1911 SCHNASSE lost all territory to creation of ZIEBACH; SCHNASSE eliminated, ending its attachment to WALWORTH. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

SCOBEY (S.D., extinct)

08 Mar 1883 SCOBEY (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from DELANO (extinct); SCOBEY not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 2, 7/pp. 28–29)

02 Nov 1889 SCOBEY (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 SCOBEY (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to MEADE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

06 Nov 1894 SCOBEY (extinct) lost small area to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 47/p. 77)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of SCOBEY (extinct) to MEADE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 SCOBEY lost all territory to MEADE; SCOBEY eliminated, ending its attachment to MEADE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 42/p. 91; S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 148)

SHANNON (S.D.)

11 Jan 1875 SHANNON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); SHANNON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 2/p. 66)

09 Mar 1883 SHANNON lost to creation of WASHINGTON (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 1/p. 59)

02 Nov 1889 SHANNON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 SHANNON attached to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1909 SHANNON lost to creation of BENNETT; attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of SHANNON to FALL RIVER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1945 SHANNON gained all of WASHINGTON; WASHINGTON eliminated. SHANNON remained unorganized and attached to FALL RIVER as of 31 December 2000. (S. Dak. Laws 1943, 28th sess., ch. 23/p. 40; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

SHERIDAN (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 SHERIDAN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; SHERIDAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 13/p. 43; Hall, 183–184)

08 Mar 1883 SHERIDAN lost to creation of McLEAN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 25/p. 38)

11 Mar 1887 SHERIDAN lost to creation of CHURCH (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 180/p. 376)

02 Nov 1889 SHERIDAN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

08 Nov 1892 SHERIDAN lost all territory to McLEAN; SHERIDAN eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

03 Nov 1908 SHERIDAN re-created from McLEAN with somewhat different boundaries from the original SHERIDAN that was eliminated 8 November 1892. The vote in favor of re-creating SHERIDAN passed 1950 to 1650. SHERIDAN not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 238–239)

24 Dec 1908 SHERIDAN fully organized. (Hall, 239; North Dakota Blue Book, 451)

SHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

24 Apr 1862 SHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North and South Dakota from non-county area; SHEYENNE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 17, sec. 1/p. 246; History of Pembina County, 5–6)

17 Dec 1863 SHEYENNE (Dakota Territory) eliminated when act that created it was repealed. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 4, sec. 2/p. 3)

SIOUX (N.D.)

03 Sep 1914 SIOUX created from all of Non-County Area (9) [Standing Rock Indian Reservation] by proclamation of the governor; Non-County Area (9) eliminated. SIOUX not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 248)

12 Sep 1914 SIOUX fully organized. (Hall, 249)

SLOPE (N.D.)

03 Nov 1914 SLOPE created from BILLINGS; vote to create SLOPE passed 740 to 356. SLOPE not fully organized, not attached. (Hall, 248)

14 Jan 1915 SLOPE fully organized. (Hall, 248; North Dakota Blue Book, 452)

SPINK (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 SPINK created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; SPINK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 22/p. 35)

07 Aug 1879 SPINK fully organized. (Andreas, 141; Harlow, 16)

01 Oct 1879 SPINK gained most of THOMPSON (Dakota Territory, extinct), lost to creation of BEADLE, and lost to HAND. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

02 Nov 1889 SPINK became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

STANLEY (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 STANLEY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from Non-County Area (1); STANLEY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 6/p. 46)

11 Jan 1875 STANLEY gained from PRATT (extinct), exchanged with PRESHO (extinct), lost to Non-County Area (7), and lost to creation of CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, secs. 7, 11/pp. 68, 70)

08 Mar 1883 STANLEY lost to creation of PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 3, 7/pp. 28–29)

09 Mar 1883 STANLEY gained from PRESHO (extinct) and part of Non-County Area (7), lost to PRATT (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 35/p. 52; "Collins v. Lyman County," in S. Dak. Rpts., 30:104–118)

26 Jan 1887 STANLEY attached to HUGHES "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

02 Nov 1889 STANLEY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of STANLEY to HUGHES “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

23 Apr 1890 STANLEY fully organized, detached from HUGHES. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

25 Feb 1893 JACKSON detached from PENNINGTON, attached to STANLEY; NOWLIN (extinct) and STERLING (extinct) detached from MEADE, attached to STANLEY; PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to STANLEY. All attachments were “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

28 Feb 1893 STANLEY gained from NOWLIN (extinct), PRATT (extinct), PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct), STERLING (extinct), and gained part of Non-County Area (7). (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of JACKSON, NOWLIN (extinct), PYATT (later ARMSTRONG, extinct), and STERLING (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 STANLEY gained from ARMSTRONG (extinct), JACKSON, NOWLIN (extinct), STERLING (extinct), and ZIEBACH (original, extinct). NOWLIN and ZIEBACH (original) eliminated, ending attachment of NOWLIN to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 41/p. 90; Early History of South Dakota Counties, 102)

03 Jun 1909 JACKSON eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

01 Feb 1911 STERLING eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

03 Nov 1914 STANLEY lost to creation of HAAKON, and lost to re-creation of JACKSON. (S. Dak. Comp. Laws 1929, 1:146–147, 150; HRS S. Dak., Haakon, 3; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:323–325)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of ARMSTRONG (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of ARMSTRONG (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1953 ARMSTRONG eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1951, 32d sess., ch. 37/p. 38; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

STANTON (Dakota Territory, proposed)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of STANTON in present North Dakota from KIDDER and STUTSMAN; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 38/p. 276)

STARK (N.D.)

10 Feb 1879 STARK created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct), WILLIAMS (original, extinct), and Non-County Area (1); STARK not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 4/p. 19)

09 Mar 1883 STARK lost to creation of HETTINGER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 7/p. 59)

25 May 1883 STARK fully organized. (Andreas, 194)

10 Mar 1885 STARK lost to DUNN and VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

18 Feb 1887 STARK lost to MORTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 183/p. 380)

13 Mar 1887 STARK gained from VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct); part of STARK reverted to Non-County Area (21). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

02 Nov 1889 STARK became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of DUNN, all of HETTINGER, parts of BILLINGS, BOWMAN, McKENZIE, WALLACE (extinct), WILLIAMS (original, extinct), and part of Non-County Area (9); gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 STARK gained all of DUNN and all of HETTINGER. STARK also gained part of WALLACE (extinct) and parts of Non-County Area (9) and Non-County Area (23). DUNN, HETTINGER, WALLACE, and Non-County Area (23) eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 STARK lost to re-creation of DUNN, HETTINGER, WALLACE (extinct), and Non-County Area (23) when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 BOWMAN, DUNN, HETTINGER, McKENZIE, WALLACE (extinct), and Non-County Area (23) were attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

13 Mar 1903 Legislature authorized STARK to gain all of DUNN, all of HETTINGER, and part of Non-County Area (23); gain did not take effect [no change]. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court at the 1905 session. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 69/pp. 78–80; Hall, 233–236; "State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

08 Nov 1904 BOWMAN eliminated, ending its attachment to STARK. (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 67/p. 76; North Dakota Blue Book, 447)

16 Mar 1905 WALLACE eliminated, ending its attachment to STARK. (N. Dak. Laws 1905, 9th sess., ch. 73/p. 155; Hall, 236)

20 Apr 1905 McKENZIE fully organized, detached from STARK. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

Dec 1905 In December 1905, the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 13 March 1903 by which STARK was authorized to gain all of DUNN, all of HETTINGER, and part of Non-County Area (23) [no change]. ("State of North Dakota v. Stark County," in N. Dak. Rpts., 14:368–375)

19 Apr 1907 HETTINGER fully organized, detached from STARK. (North Dakota Blue Book, 449)

18 Jan 1908 STARK gained a small portion of Non-County Area (23); the remainder was gained by DUNN, eliminating Non-County Area (23) and ending its attachment to STARK. DUNN fully organized, detached from STARK. ("Dunn County," 2; Hall, 238–239)

STEELE (N.D.)

02 Jun 1883 STEELE created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from GRIGGS and TRAILL; STEELE not fully organized, attached to TRAILL "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 36/p. 52)

13 Jun 1883 STEELE fully organized, detached from TRAILL. (Andreas, 207)

02 Nov 1889 STEELE became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

STERLING (S.D., extinct)

08 Mar 1883 STERLING (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from CHEYENNE (Dakota Territory, extinct); STERLING not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 4, 7/pp. 28–29)

26 Jan 1887 STERLING (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to HUGHES "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 175/p. 372)

02 Nov 1889 STERLING (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 STERLING (extinct) detached from HUGHES, attached to MEADE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 STERLING (extinct) detached from MEADE, attached to STANLEY “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 50/p. 79)

28 Feb 1893 STERLING (extinct) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 46/p. 76)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of STERLING (extinct) to STANLEY “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 STERLING (extinct) lost to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 41/p. 90; Early History of South Dakota Counties, 102)

01 Feb 1911 STERLING lost all territory to creation of ZIEBACH; STERLING eliminated, ending its attachment to STANLEY. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original, extinct)

24 Apr 1862 STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from non-county area; STEVENS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 17, sec. 2/p. 247; History of Pembina County, 5–6)

17 Dec 1863 STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original) eliminated when act that created it was repealed. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 4, sec. 2/p. 3)

STEVENS (N.D., extinct)

04 Jan 1873 STEVENS (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; STEVENS not fully organized, not attached. STEVENS (extinct) was located in a different part of the territory from STEVENS (Dakota Territory, original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 7/p. 41; Hall, 183–184)

08 Mar 1883 STEVENS (extinct) lost to creation of McLEAN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 25/p. 38)

13 Mar 1885 STEVENS (extinct) lost to creation of GARFIELD (extinct) and lost to McHENRY; part of STEVENS reverted to Non-County Area (17). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., chs. 21, 28/pp. 253, 263)

06 Apr 1885 STEVENS (extinct) lost to McLEAN. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 30/p. 264; Hall, 209–210)

14 Apr 1885 STEVENS (extinct) lost to creation of WARD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 42/p. 280; Hall, 210)

02 Nov 1889 STEVENS (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 STEVENS (extinct) attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

08 Nov 1892 STEVENS lost all territory to McLEAN and WARD; STEVENS eliminated, ending its attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

STONE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 STONE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, plus part of present North Dakota, from HANSON; STONE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 37/p. 38)

01 Oct 1879 STONE (Dakota Territory) lost to creation of DAY. Remainder of STONE reverted to Non-County Area (12); STONE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

STUTSMAN (N.D.)

04 Jan 1873 STUTSMAN created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO and PEMBINA; STUTSMAN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 20, sec. 6/p. 51)

10 Jun 1873 STUTSMAN fully organized. (Andreas, 189)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of STANTON in present North Dakota from STUTSMAN and KIDDER; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 38/p. 276)

02 Nov 1889 STUTSMAN became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

SULLY (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 SULLY created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; SULLY not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 33/p. 37)

19 Apr 1883 SULLY fully organized. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

02 Nov 1889 SULLY became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

03 May 1917 SULLY boundaries redefined [no change]. (S. Dak. Laws 1917, 15th sess., reg., ch. 178/p. 235)

SWEETWATER (Wyo., see CARTER, Wyo.)

THOMPSON (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 THOMPSON (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; THOMPSON not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 23/p. 35)

01 Oct 1879 THOMPSON (Dakota Territory) lost most of its area to SPINK. Remainder of THOMPSON reverted to Non-County Area (12); THOMPSON eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

TODD (S.D., original, extinct)

08 May 1862 TODD (original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota and Nebraska from non-county area; TODD fully organized. GREGORY attached to TODD "for revenue, election, and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18, secs. 1, 3–4/pp. 248–249)

15 Jan 1864 Ponca Indian Reserve and Fort Randall Military Reserve were attached to TODD (original, extinct) for administrative, election, and judicial purposes. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 13/p. 15)

08 Jan 1873 TODD (original, extinct) gained Ponca Indian Reserve in present Nebraska, lost to GREGORY, and lost to creation of TRIPP. TODD lost part of attached Fort Randall Military Reserve to GREGORY. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, secs. 1–2, 4/p. 45)

23 May 1882 TODD (original, extinct) lost to the state of Nebraska; implicitly gained part of Fort Randall Military Reserve. TODD became unorganized, ending attachment of GREGORY and the Fort Randall Military Reserve to TODD. (Neb. Laws 1882, 17th sess., ch. 4/p. 56; U.S. Stat., vol. 22, ch. 52[1882]/p. 35; Van Zandt, 136–138)

02 Nov 1889 TODD (original, extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 TODD (original, extinct) attached to CHARLES MIX “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

25 Feb 1893 Attachment of TODD (original, extinct) to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1893, 3d sess., ch. 48/p. 78)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of TODD (original, extinct) to CHARLES MIX “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1897 TODD (original) lost all territory to GREGORY; TODD (original) eliminated, ending its attachment to CHARLES MIX. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 46/p. 97)

TODD (S.D.)

03 Jun 1909 TODD created by South Dakota from LUGENBEEL (extinct), MEYER (extinct), WASHABAUGH (extinct), and part of Non-County Area (7); LUGENBEEL, MEYER, and Non-County Area (7) eliminated. TODD not fully organized, attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” TODD was located in a different part of South Dakota from TODD (original, extinct). (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

02 Mar 1911 TODD gained from BENNETT. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 108/p. 138)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of TODD to LYMAN “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 TODD detached from LYMAN, attached to TRIPP “for judicial purposes.” TODD remained unorganized and attached to TRIPP as of 31 December 2000. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

TOWNER (N.D.)

08 Mar 1883 TOWNER created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from CAVALIER and ROLETTE; TOWNER not fully organized, attached to PEMBINA "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 37/p. 54)

24 Jan 1884 TOWNER fully organized, detached from PEMBINA. (Andreas, 207)

26 Jan 1889 TOWNER attached to RAMSEY "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1889, 18th sess., ch. 73/p. 108)

02 Nov 1889 TOWNER became a county in the state of North Dakota. By 2 November 1889, TOWNER was fully organized, detached from RAMSEY. Exact date is unknown, but TOWNER appears to have been organized by the time statehood was declared, and Civil Court records exist in TOWNER beginning in 1889. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:497, 517–518, 526–527; Van Zandt, 134, Everton, 191)

TRAILL (N.D.)

12 Jan 1875 TRAILL created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BURBANK (now BARNES), CASS, and GRAND FORKS; TRAILL not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 32, sec. 1/p. 74)

23 Feb 1875 TRAILL fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 452)

18 Feb 1881 TRAILL lost to creation of GRIGGS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 41/p. 44)

02 Jun 1883 TRAILL lost to creation of STEELE; STEELE not fully organized, attached to TRAILL "for judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 36/p. 52)

13 Jun 1883 STEELE fully organized, detached from TRAILL. (Andreas, 207)

02 Nov 1889 TRAILL became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

TRIPP (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 TRIPP created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from GREGORY, TODD (original, extinct), and Non-County Area (1); TRIPP included a small piece of present Nebraska. TRIPP not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 4/p. 45)

23 May 1882 TRIPP lost small area to the state of Nebraska. (Neb. Laws 1882, 17th sess., ch. 4/p. 56; U.S. Stat., vol. 22, ch. 52[1882]/p. 35; Van Zandt, 136–138)

02 Nov 1889 TRIPP became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

04 Jun 1891 TRIPP lost to LYMAN and PRESHO (extinct). (S. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 41/p. 101)

11 Mar 1895 TRIPP attached to LYMAN “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

06 Jun 1907 TRIPP gained from PRESHO, gained all of Non-County Area (22), lost to Non-County Area (7); PRESHO and Non-County Area (22) eliminated. (S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 99/p. 148)

15 Jun 1909 TRIPP fully organized, detached from LYMAN. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

22 May 1923 TODD detached from LYMAN, attached to TRIPP “for judicial purposes." TODD remained unorganized and attached to TRIPP as of 31 December 2000. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

TURNER (S.D.)

13 Jan 1871 TURNER created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) and LINCOLN; TURNER fully organized. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10, sec. 8/p. 406)

02 Nov 1889 TURNER became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

Uncertain Boundary Area

01 Oct 1804 The boundary from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains between the United States and the British possessions was unsettled. The northern boundary of the Louisiana Purchase encompassed the Missouri River drainage basin, and as early as January 1804, the United States regarded the parallel of 49 degrees north latitude as its northern boundary. However, the boundary was not officially established until 20 October 1818. (Paullin, 60, pl. 93; Van Zandt, 25–26)

20 Oct 1818 A Convention of Commerce between Great Britain and the United States established the parallel of 49 degrees north latitude, from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains, as the northern boundary of the United States and the southern boundary of the British possessions, ending uncertainty over the national boundary. (Parry, 69:294–297)

UNION (S.D.)

07 Jan 1864 UNION created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from LINCOLN and all of COLE; COLE eliminated. UNION included a small piece of present Nebraska; UNION fully organized. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 14/p. 16)

15 Jan 1864 LINCOLN detached from MINNEHAHA, attached to UNION "for election and judicial purposes." MINNEHAHA attached to UNION "for election and judicial purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 11/p. 13)

30 Dec 1867 LINCOLN fully organized, detached from UNION. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 9/p. 125; "Dakota's Counties," 13)

04 Jan 1868 MINNEHAHA fully organized, detached from UNION. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1867, 7th sess., ch. 10/p. 126; Bailey, 36–38)

13 Jan 1871 UNION boundaries redefined [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

09 Feb 1871 UNION lost small area to the state of Nebraska when the Missouri River changed course. (Neb. Laws 1871, 8th reg. sess., pp. 131–132; U.S. Stat., vol. 16, ch. 64[1870]/p. 93; Van Zandt, 137)

02 Nov 1889 UNION became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

03 Nov 1908 UNION exchanged with the state of Nebraska when the main channel of the Missouri River was established as the boundary between South Dakota and Nebraska [not mapped]. (Neb. Laws 1905, 29th sess., ch. 43/p. 286 and ch. 234/p. 792; S. Dak. Laws 1907, 10th sess., ch. 245/p. 484; U.S. Stat., vol. 33, ch. 1295[1905]/p. 820)

Unorganized Federal Territory

28 Jun 1834 Unorganized federal territory in present North and South Dakota lost to Michigan Territory. (Terr. Papers U.S., 12:778–779; U.S. Stat., vol. 4, ch. 98[1834]/p. 701)

03 Mar 1849 Unorganized federal territory lost to creation of Minnesota Territory; all of present North and South Dakota west of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers remained unorganized federal territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 9, ch. 121[1849]/pp. 403–409; Van Zandt, 133)

11 May 1858 The state of Minnesota was created from Minnesota Territory; Minnesota Territory eliminated. That part of present North and South Dakota east of the Missouri and White Earth Rivers became unorganized federal territory. (U.S. Stat., vol. 11, ch. 60[1857]/pp. 166–167 and ch. 31[1858]/p. 285; Schell, 72–77; Van Zandt, 133)

2 Mar 1861 The United States created Dakota Territory from Nebraska Territory and unorganized federal territory; included all of present North Dakota, South Dakota, and parts of present Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming. Unorganized federal territory eliminated from present North Dakota and South Dakota. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., pp. 21–28; U.S. Stat., vol. 12, ch. 86[1861]/pp. 239–244; Van Zandt, 134, 136)

VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Mar 1883 VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BILLINGS; VILLARD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 38, sec. 1/p. 56)

10 Mar 1885 VILLARD (Dakota Territory, extinct) gained from BOWMAN, DUNN, HETTINGER, and STARK; exchanged with BILLINGS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

13 Mar 1887 VILLARD (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to BILLINGS and STARK; VILLARD eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 179, secs. 1–3/pp. 374–375)

WABASHA (Minn.)

27 Oct 1849 WABASHA (Minn.) created by Minnesota Territory from non-county area; included parts of present South Dakota and Minnesota. WABASHA not fully organized, attached to WASHINGTON (Minn.) "for judicial purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 5, 19/pp. 8–9)

01 May 1851 WABASHA (Minn.) exchanged with DAKOTA (Minn.); WABASHA eliminated from present South Dakota. (Minn. Terr. Rev. Stat. 1851, ch. 1, secs. 7–10, 18/pp. 31–32 and ch. 136/p. 577)

WAGNER (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 WAGNER (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota, and part of North Dakota, from MARTIN (extinct); WAGNER not fully organized, attached to LAWRENCE "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 4/p. 60)

02 Nov 1889 WAGNER (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. Boundary between North Dakota and South Dakota was set at the seventh standard parallel; WAGNER lost territory to North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 WAGNER (extinct) detached from LAWRENCE, attached to BUTTE “for the levy and collection of taxes therein.” (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of WAGNER (extinct) to BUTTE “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 WAGNER lost all territory to BUTTE; WAGNER eliminated, ending its attachment to BUTTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 43/p. 93)

WAHNAHTA (Minn. Territory, extinct)

27 Oct 1849 WAHNAHTA (Minnesota Territory, extinct) created by Minnesota Territory from non-county area; included parts of present North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota. WAHNAHTA not fully organized, attached to RAMSEY (Minn.) "for judicial purposes." (Minn. Terr. Laws 1849, ch. 5, secs. 7, 20/pp. 8–9)

01 May 1851 WAHNAHTA (Minnesota Territory) lost all territory to DAKOTA (Minn.), PEMBINA (now KITTSON, Minn.), and lost to the creation of CASS (Minn.); WAHNAHTA eliminated. (Minn. Terr. Rev. Stat. 1851, ch. 1, secs. 7–10, 18/pp. 31–32 and ch. 136/p. 577)

Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve

08 Jan 1873 The Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve became a non-county area in Dakota Territory; it had previously been within the boundaries of DEUEL and HANSON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16/pp. 30–38)

15 Feb 1877 Non-county area in the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve became part of newly created CODINGTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 217–218 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

08 Mar 1883 Non-county area in the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve became part of DAY, GRANT, and the newly created ROBERTS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 30/p. 44)

09 Apr 1883 Remaining non-county area in the Wahpeton and Sisseton Indian Reserve lost to creation of SARGENT. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., chs. 32–33/pp. 48–50)

WALLACE (N.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 WALLACE (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from HOWARD (Dakota Territory, extinct); WALLACE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 3/p. 58)

10 Mar 1885 WALLACE (extinct) gained from ALLRED (extinct) and WILLIAMS (original, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

02 Nov 1889 WALLACE (extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 Legislature authorized BILLINGS and STARK to gain all of WALLACE (extinct); gain did not take effect [no change]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

03 Nov 1896 WALLACE lost all territory to BILLINGS and STARK; WALLACE eliminated. Act was overturned by the North Dakota Supreme Court, 24 May 1901 [see also 9 March 1899 and 18 May 1899 in Consolidated Chronology]. (N. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 25/pp. 21–23; Hall, 229–233)

24 May 1901 WALLACE (extinct) re-created from BILLINGS and STARK when the North Dakota Supreme Court overturned the act of 9 March 1899 and confirmed its decision of 18 May 1899 that overturned act of 3 November 1896. ("Henry B. Schaffner v. John Young," in N. Dak. Rpts., 10:245–254; Hall, 232–233)

10 Mar 1903 WALLACE (extinct) attached to STARK "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 70/p. 80)

16 Mar 1905 WALLACE lost all territory to McKENZIE; WALLACE eliminated, ending its attachment to STARK. (N. Dak. Laws 1905, 9th sess., ch. 73/p. 155; Hall, 236)

WALLETTE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

04 Jan 1873 WALLETTE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; WALLETTE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 6/p. 41; Hall, 183–184)

09 Mar 1883 WALLETTE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of BUFORD (extinct) and FLANNERY (extinct); WALLETTE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 39, sec. 5–6/pp. 58–59)

WALSH (N.D.)

02 May 1881 WALSH created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from GRAND FORKS and PEMBINA; WALSH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 51, secs. 1–2/pp. 59–60 and ch. 52/p. 61)

30 Aug 1881 WALSH fully organized. (Andreas, 198; Berg, 1:26)

08 Mar 1883 Territorial legislature authorized creation of NICKEUS from WALSH, CAVALIER, PEMBINA, and RAMSEY; creation did not take effect. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 29/pp. 42–43)

13 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of BLAINE from WALSH, CAVALIER, and RAMSEY; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 4/p. 227)

02 Nov 1889 WALSH became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

WALWORTH (S.D.)

08 Jan 1873 WALWORTH created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from BUFFALO; WALWORTH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 35/p. 37)

12 May 1883 WALWORTH fully organized. (Minutes of Walworth County Board of Commissioners, 12 May 1883, p. 1)

02 Nov 1889 WALWORTH became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 DEWEY and SCHNASSE (extinct) attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

02 Mar 1909 CORSON attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 133/p. 209)

13 Jul 1909 CORSON fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. (Corson Co. Commissioner's Meeting Minutes, 3 August 1909; Tidball, 68)

03 Dec 1910 DEWEY fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. (Early History of South Dakota Counties, 29–30)

01 Feb 1911 ZIEBACH attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes;” SCHNASSE eliminated, ending its attachment to WALWORTH. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

22 Apr 1911 ZIEBACH fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)

WARD (N.D.)

14 Apr 1885 WARD created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from RENVILLE, STEVENS (extinct), and WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct); WARD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 42/p. 280; Hall, 210)

23 Nov 1885 WARD fully organized. (North Dakota Blue Book, 452)

11 Mar 1887 WARD gained from RENVILLE and WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 181/p. 378)

01 May 1887 WARD gained part of Non-County Area (20) [part of McHENRY before 11 March 1887]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., ch. 181, sec. 6/p. 379)

02 Nov 1889 WARD became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

21 Feb 1891 BUFORD (extinct), FLANNERY (extinct), GARFIELD (extinct), MOUNTRAIL, RENVILLE, and STEVENS (extinct) attached to WARD "for judicial and other purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 77/p. 219)

02 Mar 1891 BUFORD and FLANNERY eliminated, ending their attachment to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6, 11/pp. 131–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

08 Nov 1892 WARD gained from GARFIELD, RENVILLE, STEVENS, and gained all of MOUNTRAIL, and all of Non-County Area (17) and Non-County Area (20). GARFIELD, MOUNTRAIL, RENVILLE, STEVENS, and Non-County Areas (17) and (20) eliminated, ending the attachment of the four counties to WARD. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

16 Jan 1909 WARD lost to re-creation of MOUNTRAIL. ("State of North Dakota v. Alfred Blaisdell, et al." in N. Dak. Rpts., 18:31–44; Hall, 241–242)

12 Jul 1910 WARD lost to creation of BURKE and to the re-creation of RENVILLE. Vote authorizing these creations was held 3 November 1908, but litigation delayed the enactment until a North Dakota Supreme Court ruling of 3 June 1910 upheld the election results. The governor's proclamation created BURKE and RENVILLE on 12 July 1910. ("Fitzmaurice v. Willis," in N. Dak. Rpts., 20:372–392; Hall, 241–246; North Dakota Blue Book, 447, 451; Pioneers and Progress, 10)

WASHABAUGH (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 WASHABAUGH (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from LUGENBEEL (extinct); WASHABAUGH not fully organized, attached to CUSTER "for revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 2/p. 60)

02 Nov 1889 WASHABAUGH (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

03 Jun 1909 WASHABAUGH (extinct) gained from JACKSON and WASHINGTON (extinct), lost to creation of BENNETT, MELLETTE, and TODD; JACKSON eliminated. Attachment of WASHABAUGH to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

02 Mar 1911 WASHABAUGH (extinct) lost to MELLETTE. (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 108/p. 138)

03 Jun 1915 WASHABAUGH (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to JACKSON “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1915, 14th sess., ch. 147/p. 324)

21 Jun 1919 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) to JACKSON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of WASHABAUGH (extinct) to JACKSON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1983 WASHABAUGH lost all territory to JACKSON; WASHABAUGH eliminated, ending its attachment to JACKSON. (S. Dak. Laws 1981, 56th sess., ch. 47/p. 201; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

WASHINGTON (S.D., extinct)

09 Mar 1883 WASHINGTON (extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from LUGENBEEL (extinct) and SHANNON; WASHINGTON not fully organized, attached to CUSTER "for revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 40, sec. 1/p. 59)

02 Nov 1889 WASHINGTON (extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of WASHINGTON (extinct) to CUSTER “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of WASHINGTON (extinct) to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 WASHINGTON (extinct) lost to PENNINGTON, but gained a very small area from PENNINGTON along a river meander. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., ch. 44/p. 94)

03 Jun 1909 WASHINGTON (extinct) lost to creation of BENNETT, and lost to WASHABAUGH (extinct). Attachment of WASHINGTON to CUSTER “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1909, 11th sess., ch. 280/pp. 427–429)

21 Jun 1919 WASHINGTON (extinct) detached from CUSTER, attached to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1918, 15th sess., spec., ch. 354/p. 434)

22 May 1923 Attachment of WASHINGTON (extinct) to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1923, 18th sess., ch. 304/p. 319)

01 Jan 1945 WASHINGTON lost all territory to SHANNON; WASHINGTON eliminated, ending its attachment to PENNINGTON. (S. Dak. Laws 1943, 28th sess., ch. 23/p. 40; S. Dak. Code 1939, 1:339)

WELLS (N.D., created as GINGRAS)

04 Jan 1873 GINGRAS (now WELLS) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BUFFALO; GINGRAS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 18, sec. 12/p. 43; Hall, 183–184)

26 Feb 1881 GINGRAS renamed WELLS. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1881, 14th sess., ch. 53/p. 63)

14 Feb 1883 WELLS lost to FOSTER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 20/p. 32)

28 Aug 1884 WELLS fully organized. (Spokesfield, 69)

31 Mar 1885 WELLS gained from FOSTER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 43/p. 282)

02 Nov 1889 WELLS became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

WETMORE (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 WETMORE (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; WETMORE not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 14/p. 33)

01 Oct 1879 WETMORE (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to MINER and to the creation of AURORA; WETMORE eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct)

11 Jan 1875 WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from PRATT (extinct) and Non-County Area (1); WHITE RIVER not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1874, 11th sess., ch. 29, sec. 10/p. 70)

08 Mar 1883 WHITE RIVER (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to creation of JACKSON and NOWLIN (extinct); WHITE RIVER eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, secs. 5–6/pp. 28–29)

WILLIAMS (N.D., original, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 WILLIAMS (original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from Non-County Area (1); WILLIAMS not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 19, sec. 10/p. 47)

10 Feb 1879 WILLIAMS (original, extinct) lost to creation of STARK. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 11, sec. 4/p. 19)

10 Mar 1885 WILLIAMS (original, extinct) lost to DUNN and WALLACE (extinct). (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 3/p. 226)

14 Apr 1885 WILLIAMS (original, extinct) lost to MERCER. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 31, secs. 1–7/pp. 266–267; Hall, 207–208)

02 Nov 1889 WILLIAMS (original, extinct) became a county in the state of North Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 7:526–527; Van Zandt, 134)

02 Mar 1891 The present North Dakota county of WILLIAMS was created, but WILLIAMS (original, extinct) continued to exist until 8 November 1892. Legislature authorized STARK and MERCER to gain all of WILLIAMS (original, extinct), dependent on a referendum to be held at the next general election [no change; see 8 November 1892]. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6–11/pp. 130–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

08 Nov 1892 WILLIAMS (original) lost to MERCER. Remainder of WILLIAMS (original) implicitly reverted to Non-County Area (23); WILLIAMS (original) eliminated. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 1–5, 10–11/pp. 129–132; Hall, 224–229)

WILLIAMS (N.D.)

02 Mar 1891 WILLIAMS created by North Dakota from all of BUFORD and all of FLANNERY; BUFORD and FLANNERY eliminated. WILLIAMS not fully organized, not attached. WILLIAMS (original, extinct) continued to exist until 8 November 1892 in another part of the state. (N. Dak. Laws 1891, 2d sess., ch. 50, secs. 6, 11/pp. 131–132; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 3–5; Hall, 226–229)

08 Dec 1891 WILLIAMS fully organized. (HRS N. Dak., Williams, 4–5; Williams County Historical Society, 1:92)

10 Mar 1903 ALLRED (extinct) attached to WILLIAMS "for judicial purposes." (N. Dak. Laws 1903, 8th sess., ch. 71/p. 81)

16 Mar 1905 ALLRED eliminated, ending its attachment to WILLIAMS. (N. Dak. Laws 1905, 9th sess., ch. 73/p. 155; Hall, 236)

08 Nov 1910 WILLIAMS lost to creation of DIVIDE. (Hall, 246; HRS N. Dak., Williams, 4; Williams County Historical Society, 1:93)

WINONA (Dakota Territory, proposed)

12 Mar 1885 Territorial legislature authorized creation of WINONA in present North Dakota from EMMONS; creation did not take effect [no change]. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 16/p. 243)

WOOD (Dakota Territory, extinct)

08 Jan 1873 WOOD (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from HANSON; WOOD not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1872, 10th sess., ch. 16, sec. 18/p. 34)

01 Oct 1879 WOOD (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to KINGSBURY; WOOD eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1879, 13th sess., ch. 12/pp. 20–27)

WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct)

09 Mar 1883 WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present North Dakota from BOTTINEAU and RENVILLE; WYNN not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 41/p. 61)

14 Apr 1885 WYNN (Dakota Territory, extinct) lost to creation of WARD. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1885, 16th sess., ch. 42/p. 280; Hall, 210)

11 Mar 1887 WYNN (Dakota Territory) lost all territory to BOTTINEAU, McHENRY, RENVILLE, and WARD; WYNN eliminated. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1887, 17th sess., chs. 180–181/pp. 376, 378)

YANKTON (S.D.)

10 Apr 1862 YANKTON created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from non-county area; YANKTON fully organized. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 19/p. 250)

08 May 1862 JAYNE (Dakota Territory, extinct) attached to YANKTON "for election, judicial, and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 15/p. 244)

13 Jan 1871 YANKTON boundaries redefined [no change]; JAYNE (Dakota Territory) eliminated, ending its attachment to YANKTON. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1870, 9th sess., ch. 10/pp. 404–409)

02 Nov 1889 YANKTON became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

Yankton Indian Reservation

08 May 1862 Yankton Indian Reservation was a non-county area in Dakota Territory. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1862, 1st sess., ch. 18/pp. 248–250)

06 Jan 1864 CHARLES MIX gained the Yankton Indian Reservation; the Yankton Reservation eliminated as a non-county area in Dakota Territory. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1863, 3d sess., ch. 12/p. 14)

ZIEBACH (S.D., original, extinct)

10 Feb 1877 ZIEBACH (original, extinct) created by Dakota Territory in present South Dakota from PENNINGTON; ZIEBACH not fully organized, not attached. (Dak. Terr. Laws 1877, 12th sess., ch. 42/pp. 215–216 in Rev. Codes Dak. 1877)

08 Mar 1883 ZIEBACH (original, extinct) attached to PENNINGTON "for judicial and revenue purposes." (Dak. Terr. Laws 1883, 15th sess., ch. 16, sec. 7/p. 29)

02 Nov 1889 ZIEBACH (original, extinct) became a county in the state of South Dakota. (U.S. Stat., vol. 25, ch. 180[1889]/pp. 676–684 and vol. 26, no. 5/pp. 1548–1549; Swindler, 9:107–109; Van Zandt, 134)

07 Mar 1890 Attachment of ZIEBACH (original, extinct) to PENNINGTON “for the levy and collection of taxes therein” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1890, 1st sess., ch. 65/p. 159)

11 Mar 1895 Attachment of ZIEBACH (original, extinct) to PENNINGTON “for judicial purposes” was confirmed. (S. Dak. Laws 1895, 4th sess., ch. 48/pp. 53–54)

08 Nov 1898 ZIEBACH (original) lost all territory to PENNINGTON and STANLEY; ZIEBACH (original) eliminated, ending its attachment to PENNINGTON. (S. Dak. Laws 1897, 5th sess., chs. 41, 44/pp. 90, 94)

ZIEBACH (S.D.)

01 Feb 1911 ZIEBACH created by South Dakota from ARMSTRONG (extinct), all of SCHNASSE (extinct), all of STERLING (extinct), and all of Non-County Area (1); SCHNASSE, STERLING, and Non-County Area (1) eliminated. ZIEBACH was located in a different part of the state from ZIEBACH (original, extinct). ZIEBACH not fully organized, attached to WALWORTH “for judicial purposes.” (S. Dak. Laws 1911, 12th sess., ch. 107/p. 137)

22 Apr 1911 ZIEBACH fully organized, detached from WALWORTH. ("Dakota's Counties," 13)