Hoskins Old Settlers Monument

The Hoskins Old Settlers Monument was constructed in 1938 on the site of the Hoskins Settlement. Early pioneer Herbert M. Larimer planned, built, and contributed funds to the monument. All Hoskins pioneers or their decedents were asked to contribute a stone to the monument, with the name of the pioneer inscribed on it. By 1933, a pile of stones had begun to pile up. Mr. Larimer was not able to fully finance the project so donations were solicited from the Women’s Club, American Legion Auxiliary, American Legion, and individuals.

Hoskins was the first settlement in McIntosh County, founded in 1884. It was named for the lake by which it is located. The Hoskins post office was established in August of 1884 and was in the general store of George W. Abbott, who became the first postmaster. Hoskins was the McIntosh County seat from 1884 until 1888. When the Soo Line Railroad came though McIntosh County, everything except the Hoskins school moved three miles east to the new town of Ashley. When the post office closed in May 1888, the town slowly dissolved. All that is left of the town of Hoskins is the crudely constructed concrete and field stone monument that bears the names of the pioneer families that lived nearby.

Sources:

I. Dahl, Ron. "Hoskins (McIntosh County)." Hoskins (Mcintosh County). Accessed July 30, 2017. http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/H/hoskins_(mcintosh_county).htm.

II. German-Russian Country. "Hoskins Old Settler Monument." Flickr. July 30, 2017. Accessed July 30, 2017. https://www.flickr.com/photos/german-russian/albums/72157632670671953/with/8439413792/.

III. Stowell, Tom. "Welcome to McIntosh County, North Dakota." McIntosh County, North Dakota Genealogy. Accessed July 30, 2017. http://www.usgenweb.info/ndmcintosh/index.htm.

IV. Wick, Douglas A. North Dakota Place Names. Prairie House, 1989.