We’ve known about Brantford, North Dakota — in Eddy County — for some time. Mark Johnson contributed some winter photos a few years back, and we posted some postcards as well, but this was the first time we got a chance to actually visit.
We saw only one home which appeared to be inhabited (it had a satellite dish on the roof), but we didn’t see a single person the whole time we were there. There were half a dozen abandoned homes, multiple foundations from buildings that no longer exist, the former Brantford Public School, and a church which was moved to a farm and then abandoned.
The view out the front door from Brantford Public School. Hundreds of little feet once strolled that sidewalk, but now it’s barely holding back the prairie; grass and weeds are poking through every crack.
Right inside the front door of Brantford Public School,
A former pump house
This was once somebody’s driveway.
There were thousands of bees buzzing around these hives, but they didn’t bother us at all.
We waded through chest-high grass in places to get to the beautiful church at the back of this farmstead.
This church appears to have been moved to this farmstead, for what purpose, we don’t know. The entire place is now vacant with only the bee colony on site.
Photos by Troy Larson and Terry Hinnenkamp
Ghosts of North Dakota 
It is always amazing to me how these buildings, like the school for example, can look pretty decent on the outside and then when you post the photos of the inside…..whoa. Not so much. Great photos of this town.
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My grandparents lived in Brantford many years. I spent many wonderful times there with them. Used to have about 5 families in the town then.
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My name is Frank Custis and I live in Fayetteville, PA but am originally from York, PA. My father was Harold Custis and served in WWII with a Clyde Hall. Recently, while going through some of my father’s belongings (he is deceased) I found two letters written to him from Mr. Clyde Hall and postmarked from Brantford, ND in 1945.
I just thought I’d try to locate any relatives of Mr. Hall (if possible) and see if they would like to see the letters. This is my first run at trying to locate the Hall family so I may be way off base … but I think it’s worth trying.
If you can put me in touch with anyone I would be very thankful. For the record, here is my contact info:
Frank H. Custis
6445 Fairway Drive West
Fayetteville, PA 17222
H: 717-352-3171
Thank you for your time.
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I found this info online for Mr. Hall:
http://www.archives.com/1940-census/clyde-hall-nd-27674667
Go to that link, and it’s basically census info from 1940. Not much, but a little.
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My great aunt’s maiden name was Hall, I believe. Her name was Carole. She married Freddie Hensler and they lived north of McHenry, ND. I don’t remember where she was from, but I think it may have been the New Rockford area.
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One of my ND cousins moved an old church building to his property and uses it for storage.
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Wow. I just love this site so much. All the memories! When I look at all these pictures I just wonder who lived there, how and when did they leave, what hardship’s did they endure to finally throw in the towel?
The bees still in the beehives? All so amazing.
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My Grandmother grew up in Branford and I remember trips as a kid that my family made to see my Great-Uncle and Great-Grandmother who still lived there at that time. They hauled water from New Rockford, and I remember the shock of having to use the outhouse in the back yard as they had no indoor plumbing. After my Great-Grandmother passed away my Great-Uncle and his wife lived there for a few years and eventually moved to a retirement home in New Rockford. I assume they basically abandoned the house but don’t really know.
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Paul, are you speaking of Paul and Margaret Johnston? They are my grandparents. Margaret is now 97 years old and living in the nursing home in New Rockford. I think she has spoken of Mary Indergaard. Is that a relation to you?
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Hi Karol, yes that is who I am talking about. Paul’s sister Mary Indergaard was my Grandmother. I remember when Paul and Margaret were married. His Mother Mae was already in bad health and had dementia so they never tried to tell her they were married. She just thought it was nice that Margaret stayed so later to help take care of her.
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My uncle and aunt, John and Pauline Alfstad lived in Brantford during the early 60’s. Brantford was on the way to Grace City to see my Grandmother, Ruth House. If anyone has info on these people, I would appeciate it. Thank you.
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John and Pauline Alfstad were also my aunt and uncle. Pauline was my mother’s sister.
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My grandmother Lizzy Ludwig ran the grocery store, my uncle tim ludwig ran the post office and hardware store. My cousin went to schoolunch in the old school house. They ladies of had a baby shower for my mother in the school in 1960, I remember I was 7 years o,d. My uncle Darrel Ludwig, was one of the last people to live in town.
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