The McDonald Home
309 6th Ave NW
The home was built in the early 1880’s by J. E. Pilcher and first owned by Walter and Maggie Pilcher. It is a fine example of middle-class architecture. The home was remodeled early, adding a staircase (reputed to be from the original Custer Home at Fort Lincoln), a kitchen, and a unique entry consisting of two front doors. One door enters the parlor and the other enters the kitchen.
The home was occupied for 25 years by George and Maggie Bigenheimer, who had come to Mandan in 1880. George was a Morton County sheriff from 1888 to 1894, but later started a lumber business, which grew to nine lumber yards at its peak, and which he ran until his death in December, 1920.
In 1913, the home was sold to James H. and Elizabeth McDonald. James had come to Mandan in 1886 with his parents, four brothers and one sister. He worked as an engineer for the railroad for 48 years, retiring in 1934. The home stayed in the McDonald family until 2002, when it was sold to Linda and Charles Axness, who restored it in a Victorian style. An auto barn (garage) was added later, designed and built to the dimensions and style of the original horse and carriage house.
The picture at left is one of Mandan in the early days.
Draft transcription from the photographed sign; it has not yet received a second review.