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On our way back from Bismarck in July of 2006 we took some side trips and "discovered" a town. Using
a Standard Oil highway map from 1955, what we started doing was finding something on the 1955 map that was not on the 2006
map. One such town was Clementsville. Located about 10 miles NE of Jamestown, most of this old town in on private land. We
found a couple abandoned houses as well as what looks like the old elevator that is being used by a farmer. The land
appears to privately owned so we took pictures from the highway.
To find Clementsville, go north from Jamestown on County Road 20 to 24th Street SE (42) , and turn
right. Go past Spiritwood Lake and turn right on 94th Ave SE (62) and go south approximately 2 - 2.5 miles and turn
left on what is now called 27th St. NE. Trying to remember, I believe it is the first left. Most of what is left of Clementsville
will appear on your left. Watch out for the large dog that comes running at you at full speed. I am not 100% sure of the directions,
as I am looking at a 1955 map and trying to equate it with what one sees on mapquest.
You can see another abandoned home in the trees in the back here. 'Clementsville was a Midland Continental
RR station which grew to 57 residents in 1917 and had a peak population of 125 in 1920. In 1940 there were only 16 people
left and the post office closed in 1941.
This appears to be an elevator that the farmer who lives here is using. Looking at the sattelite
map, you can see some general impressions of where the streets were. There is also an impression of what looks like a railroad
track that goes right by this elevator. I have found Google maps helpful to get you in the right area, but the locations of
these ghost towns are often a little off. We are fairly certain that this is what is left of Clementsville. Below is a copy
of the map from 1955 showing its location.
Amazingly, on this map there is no Interstate 94. It was exciting to find this town as it no longer
appears on the current highway map. Here is a link to the Google map, Clementsville will appear up and to the right on 26th St. NE, not where the arrow is.
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