Billings County shares namesake of Montana city, other origins of southwest North Dakota’s counties

Billings County shares namesake of Montana city, other origins of southwest North Dakota’s counties

DICKINSON — Eight counties make up what’s commonly known as southwest North Dakota. Each has its own history, landscape and identity — and each carries a name with its own origin story. While most residents know what county they live in, fewer may know how those counties got their names. Some trace back to influential railroad executives, others to political figures or geographic features that shaped the land. Here’s a look at the origins of all…