Investing in tradition

If you close your eyes and think "Fourth of July'' in Sheyenne, N.D., you just might be able to taste the specially roasted slow-cooked beef that's made in the famous Stone Pit BBQ.

It's been a tradition since 1976, when the historic Log Cabin Museum was first dedicated.

In those days (the mid '70s) 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, houses brought up to code and new paved streets installed with curb and gutter.

Everything was painted, lettered and planted, and everyone was involved. Chuck Franks was the city planner, visionary and grantsman that made many of the improvements possible, along with 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 structure, kept everyone informed and welcomed input from community members. That was the key to many successes in Sheyenne during that time and the years that followed.

They added a log flower bed planter which was maintained by the garden club and local youth, and they installed a unique walkway made with salvaged bricks from a torn- down building.

This city-owned lot also became home to the famous Stone Pit BBQ that put Sheyenne's already robust Fourth of July celebrations on the map.

The Log Cabin Committee at that time put great thought and consideration into the aesthetics and theme of main street renewal so as to keep pace with the efforts of others.

Since that era, several of the committees, boards and organizations were no longer needed as their projects were completed. Currently there are just one or two members on the Log Cabin Committee, and the flower bed and walkway had been torn out.

Meanwhile, the BBQ pit remains and is functioning but has deteriorated significantly.

The Sheyenne Fire Department, along with community volunteers, are organizing efforts to restore it, in hopes of keeping something that's become such a staple in the Sheyenne community.

Despite changes over time, the traditional small-town Fourth of July celebrations continued throughout the years, getting better with time, and making Sheyenne well known for it.

The unique Stone Pit BBQ was at the center of bringing hundreds of people to this community every year. Even family and school reunions were planned during this time for that reason.

The Sheyenne Fire Department and First Lutheran Church continue to work tirelessly as they volunteer their time to make delicious Fourth of July meals.

From cutting down the trees for the pit, watching the fire as it burns down to the desired temperature, cutting onions that get wrapped in the beef roasts, injecting delicious barbecue sauce into the meat, and wrapping it all in foil and cheesecloth – it's all taken on and completed by the Sheyenne Fire Department. All the tasty sides that come with the dinner are homemade by the women of First Lutheran Church.

The natural stone pit was the center of it all, and provided a certain aesthetic that many came to love. Some years ago the original stone pit was replaced with a concrete one, but as mentioned earlier that one has now deteriorated and lost some of its charm and visual appeal.

Now, folks with the memory of the '70s restoration period want to see the BBQ Pit restored to its original form. This is an expensive undertaking, especially with restoring the stone exterior.

Fundraising efforts are off to a strong start with an application written by Patti Jo Larson and daughter Sandra (members of Sheyenne GRIT) for a grant from the North Dakota Community Foundation worth $2,300.

Sandra Larson also donated $500 she won through a volunteer hours competition with Stantec, an organization she worked for last year, in addition to a sizable donation given locally.

However, there are still thousands of dollars needed to bring Sheyenne's famous Stone Pit BBQ back to prominence.

Sheyenne's community- minded volunteer fire department is going to tackle digging out the pit after this coming Fourth of July to get the preliminary work done. Then more funds will be needed to rebuild the stone pit in time for the 2025 celebration.

Anyone who doesn't want the traditional, old fashioned Fourth of July celebrations in Sheyenne – complete with a patriotic parade, rodeo and of course the Stone Pit BBQ – to come to an end, can send a donation to help with the restoration project.

Checks can be made out to the Sheyenne Fire Department and mailed to treasurer David Karlsbraaten at P.O. Box 122 Sheyenne, N.D. 58374.