Towns / Cities
All Information from the Book "North Dakota Place Names" by Douglas A Wick

This place appears on an 1882 map of North Dakota in SW 1/4 Section 2-151-51, Brenna Township, six miles east of Ojata on the Great Northern RR. The planned townsite did not develop, although a quarter century later the Powell elevator was built just to the west. It was named for Chester Alan Arthur (1830-1886), who had just become President of the United States following the assassination of James A. Garfield. The name is traced to the ancient city of Chester, England.

This was a Great Northern Rail Road siding and loading station built in 1907 in NW 1/4 Section 8-151-51, Brenna Township, five miles west of Grand Forks. An elevator was built here in 1916, but it was destroyed by fire in 1945. A population of 10 was reported in 1920. James E. Earl (1887-1959) was the longtime elevator manager. The name honors Arthur D. Powell, a Great Northern RR brakeman killed in an accident at Shawnee in 1906. Although some claim the name simply notes several Powell families living in the area. Powell is a Celtic name meaning descendant of Howel, who was an ancient Welsh king whose name meant alert.

Brenna Town Hall  Section 21

Business History

Schools

School #30  Section 05

Churches

Historical, Genealogical and Ethnic Events

Photographs

Personal and Community Stories about this Area