Sanish (Old), ND
Mountrail County
Abandoned in 1953

This page refers to Old Sanish, ND, not to be confused with the present town of Sanish. Click any image to see the full-size pic.

Old Sanish was a sleepy western North Dakota town until 1953, when town residents began to evacuate to higher ground due to the flooding of the reservoir behind the newly-built Garrison Dam. Not long after, Sanish succumbed to the rising waters and the townsite disappeared beneath the waves of Lake Sakakawea. Although some residents established "New Sanish" just across the highway on higher ground, most of the town's residents moved to the newly established "Newtown", several miles to the east.

Due to several years of unusually dry weather in western North Dakota, Sanish has re-appeared from the lake, and we were lucky enough to stumble onto it during a trip to Mountrail county.

The bridge is the Four Bears Bridge over Lake Sakakawea. In the foreground, they're building the new Four Bears Bridge, and the truss bridge in the back is the old Four Bears Bridge which will be demolished. The photo of the bridge was taken from a historical marker on the east side of the lake, and at the same location you'll find the Old Sanish plaque, pictured second.

The photo bottom-center is an overview photo of the old Sanish townsite, taken from the hilltop overlooking the site. If you decide to make a visit to Sanish, and you'd like to hike down to the actual site from this spot, be prepared for a vigorous hike.

GhostsOfNorthDakota.com is seeking information about Old Sanish, ND, and photos of it in it's heyday. If you have any information or photos, please Contact Us.

Click Here to see a county-by-county North Dakota map of the Ghost Towns we've visited.