The small city of Devils Lake, North Dakota, may be best known for its outdoor adventures. Indeed, some call the lake the perch capital of the world! However, a visit to the city’s Sheriff’s House Museum shows there’s a lot more to this area.
What’s in the Sheriff’s House Museum?
The Sheriff’s House Museum is the original home lived in by all of the Ramsey County Sheriffs from 1910 to 1982. That includes 15 law enforcement officers and their families. Photos of each one cover the wall going up the beautiful wood staircase to the second floor.
Fast Fact: As you'd expect given the time period, all of the sheriffs, but one, were men. However, in 1934 Bertha Regan was elected as sheriff to fulfill her husband's term after his death. She was the first female sheriff in North Dakota.
Added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, the historic property is owned and managed by Ramsey County.
The two-story house, attic, and raised basement of rock-faced ashlar limestone blocks are original. However, the furnishings are a collection from the communities served.
Originally, the house had an adjoining two-story cellblock. It consisted of eight cells for men, two women’s cells (with bathroom), cell for the insane, and a cell for juveniles.
So, the sheriff was also responsible for the prison as well as law enforcement! Unfortunately, the jail cell building was demolished in 1974.
As you’d expect in a home designed to welcome the public, there are double parlors on the main floor, plus a sitting room, dining room, pantry and kitchen. Beautiful brick mantelpieces are over the fireplaces in both parlors.
The home has five bedrooms on the second floor. One even has a laundry chute to the basement! As well as bedrooms, there’s also a bathroom with its original pieces, and a beautiful built-in linen cabinet.
Fast Fact: A volunteer guide takes you through the home and answers all of your questions when you visit.
Linda’s Pick of the Displays
The Sheriff’s House is an amazing stop if you love old houses like I do. While the parlors were beautiful, I still have to say I found the bedroom set up as a lady’s room the most fascinating.
It featured period dress, including a glass case display of ladies undergarments. The fine fabrics and delicate patterns were quite amazing.
And of course, there was a closet full of various garments and a trunk. I loved the variety of hats, lace-up leather boots, and purses.
The room also featured a quilt made by community members. It showcased many of the historic properties in Devil’s Lake.
Linda’s Road Trip Tips
We spent a couple of nights in Devils Lake, so had lots of time to soak up its history.
The Downtown Devils Lake National Historic District has 47 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places. You can almost imagine horses and buggies pulled up in front of the brick buildings instead of cars!
This Commercial District takes the shape of a triangle. Historically, commerce centered around Fourth Street and Fourth Avenue. As the rail lines grew, so did the city and its commerce area.
One of our favorite downtown stops was at Black Paws Brewing Company craft brewery. Indeed, David declared their No Joke Blonde Ale was the best beer he’s ever tasted!
The brewery is situated in an historic building dating to 1935.
Owner, Jeb Oehlke, has kept the rustic history by using as many reclaimed materials as possible.
Our first night’s dinner we ate at Mr. J’s and Mrs J’s Restaurant. Prices were excellent, as was the service. While we wouldn’t order the pot roast dinner again (the seasoning was a little different for us), the meat was tender and the gravy hot.
You can also visit the Lake Region Heritage Museum in Devils Lake and Fort Toten Historic Park, 13 miles from the city. We enjoyed them both.
What books did Linda write about outlaws in the old west?
Station No. 1 on the Outlaw Trail: Old West Outlaws
Kidnapped by Outlaws (Sequel to Badlands and Outlaws)
Who Should Visit the Sheriff’s House Museum?
The Sheriff’s House Museum provides insights into the demands that must have been made of law enforcement back in the day. As important members of the community, sheriffs had a lot of responsibilities in those days.
We spent about forty-five minutes on our tour. However, for locals or those who know the former sheriffs’ families, more time might be needed.
While there’s one whole bedroom set up with children’s toys, the museum likely would only appeal to some families. Older kids would likely find it interesting to have a tour guide to answer their questions.
However, as you’d expect in an historic house that has a National Historic designation, there aren’t any interactives to distract the young and restless.
In order to keep the historic property original, there aren’t any ramps to enter the building or elevators to the second floor.
How Do You Visit the Sheriffs House Museum?
Devils Lake is on U.S. Route 2, which runs 2,571 miles (4,138 km) across the Northern U.S., just below the International border with Canada.
Parking & Walking Tour: There's lots of free parking right beside the museum. As well as taking a tour of the museum, you can take an historic walking tour of Devils Lake starting from the museum.
The Sheriff’s House Museum is located in Devils Lake, North Dakota, at 416 Sixth St. NE.
The museum is open seasonally with admission by donation.
Check The Sheriff’s House listing on the Devil’s Lake website for days and hours open, and contact information.
Visit The Sheriff’s House Museum’s Facebook page.
Plan your visit to Devils Lake with Google Maps.
Find More Museums in North Dakota
Check out more museum reviews for museum attractions in North Dakota on guide2museums.com.
Explore More Historic House Museums
- Historic Home of 1800s Governor in Lafayette, LA: Alexandre Mouton
- Adams Museum in Deadwood: Where Legends are Larger Than Life
- Bishop’s Palace in Galveston, Texas: Victorian Era Castle
- Rip Van Winkle Gardens & Historic Mansion: Jefferson Island, Louisiana
- The Sheriff’s House Museum & Historic Site: A Hidden Gem in Devils Lake, North Dakota
- Campbell House Museum – 1820s Toronto, Ontario
- Hearst Castle: National Historic Landmark in San Simeon, California
- Oak Alley Plantation: Grand Dame of Louisiana’s River Road
- Evergreen Plantation: National Landmark Site in Edgard, Louisiana
- Casa Loma: Historic 98 Room House Museum in Toronto, Ontario
Reference(s)
United States Department of the Interior. (1978). National Register of Historic Places Inventory–Nomination Form. https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/3c072d1a-6bb6-4a3a-b7f9-2ddcc220829c
United States Department of the Interior. (1989). National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Devil’s Lake Commercial District. https://www.dvlnd.com/media/userfiles/subsite_207/files/Incentives/National-Register-of-Historic-Places-Devils-Lake-Commercial-District(1).pdf
guide2museums.com 