Walk the Trail of L’AmourTake the tour and see where Louis L’Amour began his journey into the world of writing in his hometown of Jamestown, ND. See where he grew up, spent his time, and became the beloved writer of Western novels many people around the world love to read.

A) Dakota Territory Courthouse—504 3rd Ave SELouis’s father, the county and state veterinarian, conducted business in this building and was a friend to the sheriff whose home was next to the Courthouse at the time. Mr. L’Amour (LaMoore) also doubled as a deputy sheriff for several years. The State Historical Society of North Dakota began renovations on the Courthouse, now known as the Historic 1883 Stutsman County Courthouse, in 2013.

B) Stutsman County Memorial Museum— 321 3rd Ave SEFormerly the Lutz home. The Lutzes were good friends of the L’Amour family. Mr. Lutz made his fortune in lumber and conducted some business with Mr. L’Amour.

C) Jamestown City Hall—102 3rd Ave SE.When you stop here, be sure to observe the mural that

looks as though it came straight out of one of L’Amour’s Western novels. The land always had a special meaning for Louis. “No story of the frontier,” he wrote, “can be written without knowledge of the physical environment, of the terrain, vegetation, animal and insect life.” The cupola from the original City Hall is across the street to the north in Zonta Park. Louis’s father was an alderman and had ties to the original City Hall.

D) L’Amour Family Home Site—113 3rd Ave SEHere is where the L’Amour family home was originally located. Imagine Louis as a young boy at the nearby depot watching the unloading of the circus animals and the arrival of celebrities in Jamestown. When the house was here, it was easily recognized by the red barn topped with a red carousel horse. Many travelers relied on it to tell them they had arrived in Jamestown.

E) First United Methodist Church—115 3rd St SESee where Louis L’Amour and his family worshipped.

F) Alfred Dickey Public Library—105 3rd St SEThis library was one of Louis’s favorite places in Jamestown. He wanted to be a writer since he was a child, and so spent much of his time here. In fact, it is rumored

that he read every book in the library at the time he lived in Jamestown. “Although I knew I would be a writer and a teller of tales, I had no idea of writing about the West. It was simply that I was interested,” Louis said.

G) Franklin School—308 2nd St SWLouis attended school at Franklin, built in 1909. Franklin School is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Now, this building houses the CSi Technology Center and you are welcome to stop in to take a self-guided tour of the school during business hours.

H) Louis L’Amour School— 1102 15th St SW Jamestown’s newest elementary school was named in this legendary author’s honor.

AB

F E

G C D

His widow, Kathy, gave an address during the school’s dedication service in September 1990. Children from kindergarten through fifth grade attend the school.

A B GF