North Dakota Governor’s Residence

The North Dakota Governor’s Residence is the home of North Dakota’s governor. Located in the southwestern corner of the North Dakota State Capitol grounds. Its the 2nd official residence that was built for North Dakota’s governor. The original governor’s mansion was built in 1884 which served as a private home for Bismarck businessman Asa Fisher. Fisher built his home in Edwinton (Bismarck) in 1872
and made his fortune in banking, real estate, and liquor sales. In 1893, the house was sold to the state for $5000.

The house was used as the governor’s residence from 1893-1960 and was the home of 20 North Dakota governors. In 1975, the State Legislature passed House Bill 1315 which transferred ownership to the State Historical Society of North Dakota. The house was renovated to look like it did in 1893 and opened to the public as a North Dakota State Historic Site in 1983.

In 1975 the State Historical Society of North Dakota was given the house with the hope that it would operate as a historic house museum. Extensive research and restoration have been completed, restoring the house to its former appearance as it might have been in 1893. Throughout the house are restoration features which are highlighted to show visitors what work has been done. These features include samples of wallpaper that have been exposed to indicate changes in style and taste.

The North Dakota legislature approved a house bill in 1955 that provided $200,000 for the creation of a brand new residence for the governor because the earlier mansion was in shambles. In 1959, construction began and was completed in 1960. Former North Dakota Governor John Davis was the last North Dakota Governor to live in the mansion as well as the first to live in the newly built one. A complete remodel of most of the residence was completed in 2000.