Turtle Mountain Ordnance Plant, 213 First Street Northwest, Rolla, Rolette County, ND

Significance: The Turtle Mountain Ordnance Plant is significant as the only large-scale, diversified manufacturing facility for the production of jewel bearings in the United States. Jewel bearings were considered a product critical to American military needs during the early and middle years of the Cold War, and the Turtle Mountain plant was established through a federal-private partnership specifically to address this defense concern. Thus, the plant is also a significant reflection of American logistical responses to perceived Cold War security threats.
Survey number: HAER ND-10
Building/structure dates: 1953 Initial Construction
Building/structure dates: 1954 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1957 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1966 Subsequent Work
Building/structure dates: 1988 Subsequent Work