7 Coffins Found at North Dakota Governor’s Residence During Security Upgrade
Seven coffins containing human remains and an unidentified wooden box were uncovered on the grounds of the North Dakota Governor’s Residence in Bismarck, resulting from a security upgrade project that originally cost $2.35 million. The site, located on the southwest corner of the property near 4th Street and Boulevard Avenue, was part of Bismarck’s first community cemetery operating between 1873 and 1877, KFYR reported.
Construction Pauses After Crews Find Bone Fragments
Work on the perimeter fence and driveway extension began on May 18, 2026, when contractors encountered bone fragments and coffin hardware during excavation. Construction was immediately paused, prompting a radar scan by the State Historical Society and a subsequent archaeological dig that commenced on September 1. OMB Facilities Management Director Brandon Solberg stated that crews investigated more than 80 flagged spots before concluding fieldwork on September 14, KFYR reported.
Historical Cemetery Relocation Limits
While most graves from Bismarck’s original 1873-to-1877 cemetery were officially relocated to St. Mary’s Cemetery and Fairview Cemetery during the 1880s, the recent discovery confirms that several burials were left behind. This pattern mirrors previous historical disturbances on the Capitol grounds, where 13 burials were uncovered during trolley line construction in 1903 and another five were found in 1959 during the construction of the previous governor’s residence, KFYR reported.
Researchers Catalog Remains for 2027 Reinterment
The recovered remains and the wooden box are currently stored in a climate-controlled vault while researchers catalog skeletons, estimate age ranges, and check health indicators. DNA testing is excluded from the protocol, with researchers relying solely on physical anthropology and archival research through early 2027. State officials have contracted a local funeral home, and Crisis Care Chaplaincy is providing support. The remains are scheduled for reinterment at a local cemetery in the spring of 2027.
