Binford is a city in Griggs County, North Dakota, United States. The population was 170 at the 2020 census. Binford was founded in 1899.
History
The Johnson Land Company of Iowa purchased a flax field owned by Gabriel Gabrielson when the Northern Pacific Railway laid its tracks in 1899. The town of "Blooming Prairie" was renamed Binford after attorney Ray Binford of Charles City, Iowa who handled the Land Company's purchase.
In the fall of 1899, a lumberyard and general store opened. A hotel was built in 1900. In 1905, Binford had its own newspaper, a bank, grain elevator, a hardware store, two groceries, a couple of pool hall-bowling alleys, two churches, and various other establishments.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.
The city is located approximately one mile west of North Dakota Highway 1, which is one of the busier ND highways.
Culture and economics
The city holds an annual celebration each year in June known as "Binford Days". The festivities usually include street vendors, kids games, a 5K Fun Run/Walk, parade, classic car show, silent auction, a supper & pie social, and a late night street dance. The event also includes the annual Binford Bull Ride, a sanctioned Professional Bull Riders (PBR) event, and once included rodeo clown Flint Rasmussen. The most recent estimates for attendance at this event are in the neighborhood of 2,500–3,000 spectators. Binford has been hosting this PBR event since 1999.