Fort Mandan State Historic Site is temporarily closed for maintenance until further notice.

SHSND Home > Exhibits > Online Exhibits > North Dakota Governors > Ole H. Olson

Exhibits - North Dakota Governors - Ole H. Olson

Territorial Governors | Back to North Dakota Governors

Previous | Next

OLE H. OLSON

Ole H. OlsonEighteenth Governor

  • Residence: New Rockford, Eddy County
  • Years Served: 1934-1935
  • Date of Inauguration: June 21, 1934
  • Age at Inauguration: 61
  • Politics: Republican
  • Born: Mondovi, Wisconsin - September 19, 1872
  • Died: New Rockford, North Dakota - January 29, 1954

Political Background:

  • 1916-1918: North Dakota State House of Representatives
  • 1918-1930: North Dakota State Senate (President Pro Tempore in 1929) 1
  • 932-1934: Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota
  • 1934-1935: Governor of North Dakota (completed William Langer's first term)
Ole H. Olson taking the Governor's oath of office, 1934
Ole H. Olson taking the governor's oath of
office in 1934.

After graduation from Concordia College, Ole H. Olson moved to North Dakota in 1892. He homesteaded in Eddy County, North Dakota, in 1895. In 1916 he was elected to the North Dakota State House of Representatives and served until 1918, when he was elected to the North Dakota Senate. He served as president pro tempore of the Senate in 1929. Olson was Lieutenant Governor of North Dakota in 1932-1934. A Republican, Ole H. Olson became governor of North Dakota on July 19, 1934, upon the removal of Governor William Langer. Olson's brief term was during one of the most turbulent periods in the political history of North Dakota. Lieutenant Governor Ole H. Olson became governor after William Langer was removed from office.

Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions

Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.

Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov

Social Media:
See all social media accounts