If you close your eyes and think “4th of July” in Sheyenne, ND, you just might be able to taste the specially roasted beef they serve that’s slow-cooked in their famous Stone Pit BBQ.
It’s been a tradition since 1976 when the Historical Log Cabin museum was dedicated and is located in the same lot.
In those days (the mid 70’s) Sheyenne experienced a revival and growth spurt like no other. Improvements were made, store fronts restored to their original look, programs started up for the youth and senior citizens along with houses being brought up to code and paved streets with curb and gutter installed. Everything was painted, lettered and planted and everyone was involved. Thank you, Chuck Franks the city planner, visionary and grantsman at the time not to mention the hundreds of hours put in by some of the best volunteers in the area.
The first Log Cabin Committee was outstanding. They were true leaders and community minded people who met regularly, dedicated many hours to the restoration and maintenance of the log cabin, kept everyone informed and “welcomed” input from community members. That was the key to many successes in Sheyenne during that time and the time that followed.
They added a log flower bed planter which was planted and maintained by the garden club and youth and installed a unique walkway made with salvaged bricks that came from a building torn down. This city owned lot also became home to the famous Stone Pit BBQ that put Sheyenne’s already robust 4th of July celebration on the map.
The Log Cabin committee at that time put great thought and consideration into the aesthetics and theme of Mainstreet renewal so as to keep step with the efforts of others and the mentality that had become prevalent for it all to happen. Since that era, several of the committees, boards and organizations were no longer needed as their projects were completed. Currently there are 1 or 2 members on the log cabin committee and the flower bed and walkway have been torn out. The BBQ pit remains and is functioning but has deteriorated and the Sheyenne Fire Department along with community volunteers are organizing their efforts to restore it.
However, despite the changes over time, the traditional small town 4th of July continued throughout the years only getting better with time and Sheyenne became well-known for it.
The unique stone pit bbq was at the center of bringing hundreds of people to this community every year. Family reunions and school reunions were planned during this time for that reason.
The Sheyenne Fire dept and First Lutheran Church continue to work tirelessly as they volunteer their time from cutting down the trees for the pit, watching the fire as it burns down to the desired temperature, cutting onions up that would be wrapped up in the beef roasts, injecting the bbq sauce into the meat, wrapping in foil and cheese cloth all taken on and completed by the Sheyenne Fire Department and none of this mentions all the tasty sides that come with the dinner homemade by the women of First Lutheran Church.
Speaking of aesthetics, the Stone Pit BBQ pit was replaced with a concrete one several years ago but as mentioned earlier, that has deteriorated. It also had definitely lost its charm and visual appeal.
Folks with the mentality of the restoration period of the 70’s and some who actually were part of that time, want to restore the bbq pit back to its original form.
This is an expensive undertaking especially including restoring the stone exterior. However, there’s been a strong start with an application written by Patti Jo and her daughter Sandra Larson (members of GRIT) for a grant from the North Dakota Community Foundation and awarded $2,300, a $500 donation from Sandra who won it through a volunteer hours competition with Stantec (organization she worked for last year) and a sizeable donation given locally, yet there’s still thousands needed. Fortunately, our community minded Fire Dept is going to tackle digging out the pit after the 4th of July and get the preliminary work done.
So, if you’re one of those who doesn’t miss the traditional, old fashioned 4th of July in Sheyennne, complete with a patriotic parade, rodeo and of course the Stone Pit BBQ, and you don’t want to see it come to an end, please send a donation in to help with this restoration project.
Checks can be made out to the Sheyenne Fire Dept. and mailed to treasurer David Karlsbraaten at PO Box 122, Sheyenne, ND 58374
