Archaeologists working at the North Dakota Governor’s Residence in Bismarck have located seven coffins containing human remains, alongside an additional wooden box, following a monthslong investigation into the historic property, KFYR reported. OMB Facilities Management Director Brandon Solberg stated that work crews inspected more than 80 locations flagged during the investigation before fieldwork concluded on Sept. 14.
State historical and facilities management teams spent months utilizing ground-penetrating radar and targeted excavation to locate and document the remains before completing their initial fieldwork.
Contractors initially uncovered human remains, coffin hardware, and small fragments on May 19 while excavating near the southwest corner of the property. That initial find prompted an immediate pause in construction work on the grounds. Following the work stoppage, the State Historical Society conducted a radar scan across the area, which led authorities to approve a targeted archaeological dig that officially started on Sept. 1.
State records show that the governor’s residence property served as Bismarck’s first community cemetery between 1873 and 1877. While historians previously believed that most graves were successfully relocated to St. Mary’s and Fairview cemeteries during the 1880s, subsequent construction projects on the site have repeatedly proven otherwise. Past discoveries on the grounds included 13 burials uncovered in 1903 and another five found in 1959, demonstrating that historical relocation efforts left several burials behind.
Archaeologists are currently reviewing and cataloging all recovered remains and associated artifacts, with that detailed laboratory process expected to run into early next year. To manage the sensitive nature of the site, a local funeral home has been contracted. The Crisis Care Chaplaincy is volunteering assistance to ensure that the eventual relocation of the historical remains is handled with care and reverence. State officials confirmed that final reburial is scheduled for spring 2027 at a designated area cemetery.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Bismarck Cemetery Discovery
Why were human remains buried at the North Dakota Governor’s Residence?
The property served as Bismarck’s first community cemetery from 1873 to 1877 before authorities initiated neighborhood relocations in the 1880s.
How many graves have been found at the site in past decades?
Prior construction work uncovered 13 burials in 1903 and another five burials in 1959, according to state historical records.
When will the newly discovered remains be reburied?
State officials expect the formal reburial to take place at a local area cemetery in spring 2027.