Pioneer House

The pioneer farm house located in Prairie Outpost Park was built in 1912 and was originally located in Rifle Township in Hettinger County, ND (T136N, R95W, Sec. 20, SW1/4).

It was originally the homestead of Lawrence Heath who came to North Dakota from Wisconsin. Heath died suddenly in 1917. His wife and daughter remained at the home and farm until 1923 when they returned to Wisconsin. The John Steinmetz family then rented the house and farm. They lived there until November 17, 1944 when John retired. His daughter, Irma, purchased the house in 1944. Even though the family had moved to in live New England, ND, they still spent summers at the farm. The house remained in the possession Irma until her death in 1991. The house was never remodeled, and electricity and plumbing were never added.

In 1993, the house was moved to Prairie Outpost Park. The structure had extensive vandalism and weathering damage prior to being moved to this site as it had sat empty for nearly thirty years.  It took five years to be restored.

The kitchen of the farm house.

 

Bedrooms

 

Dining room

 

Living room

 

 

*This building has limited accessibility for visitors with disabilities.