In 1880 Eggert and Rannveig Gunnlaugson arrived here, in Pembina County, immigrant refugees by way of Gimli, Manitoba, nearly 160 miles to the north of here, though their journey started thousands of miles before that in Iceland. They left behind earthquakes, volcanoes, and flash floods in their native country and eventually settled here, after what was surely an arduous journey.

Cavalier was a young community when the Gunnlaugson’s arrived. Their homestead, built in proximity to the Tongue River, included orchards and grazing areas and a farmhouse, barn and outbuildings, some of which were added at a later date. They raised five children in the two-story gabled house and accommodated many pioneer travelers and houseguests. One of their children, G.B. Gunlogson was a prominent figure in agricultural and mechanical invention as well as the environmental movement in North Dakota. He invented several harvesting devices for the J.I. Case Company and was a lifelong advocate for the progressive populist movement. He was a champion of the settlement history of North Dakota from the 1880s to 1910 and shared his knowledge freely in his writings. It was no secret that Gunlogson loved the Tongue River area, and, in a great act of service and admiration, donated the farmstead to the state as a nature preserve in 1964. The farmstead was entered into the National Register of Historic Places in 2008.

It’s hard not to see why G.B. Gunlogson cherished his modest homestead in the vicinity of the peaceful Tongue River. Because of his gift to the state of North Dakota, visitors can connect with Icelandic culture, immerse themselves in a bygone era, and roam amongst the great burr oak and basswood trees. You may even be lucky enough to spot the elusive pileated woodpecker during your visit to the Gunlogson Homestead.