Human remains discovered at North Dakota governor’s residence

Seven coffins containing human remains were discovered during a $2.35 million security upgrade at the North Dakota governor’s residence in Bismarck. The remains, which include two women, two men, two teenage boys, and a toddler, were unearthed by construction crews working on the property.

The site was once Bismarck’s first community cemetery, which operated from 1873 to 1877. While officials believed the graves had been moved to other cemeteries in the 1880s, the discovery suggests the relocation process was incomplete. Historical records from that era indicated that nearly all burials had been moved, with only a few expected to remain.

Archaeologists from the State Historical Society of North Dakota completed fieldwork on September 14, identifying over 80 areas of interest. The research team is currently cataloging findings, with a full analysis expected by early next year. Officials are coordinating with a local funeral home to reinter the remains in a different cemetery this coming spring.