Colonel Hankinson's Historic Barn

Lake Elsie Wedding Barn sits on five private acres between Grass Lake and Lake Elsie near Hankinson, North Dakota, about 60 minutes from Fargo. The centerpiece of the property is one of only four surviving Gothic Arch barns in North Dakota — a structure built in the 1950s that operated as a dairy barn until 1989. Owners Sandy and Marshall Meyer purchased the property in 2010 and completed a full restoration by 2015, when the barn hosted its first wedding. A 60×60 outdoor pavilion with a fireplace and waterfall was added in 2021. The barn spans 5,000 square feet across two climate-controlled levels. The ground floor accommodates up to 96 guests for cocktail hours or intimate dinners, while the upper hayloft — framed by a soaring 30-foot arch with café lighting and chandeliers — seats up to 240 for receptions and dancing. The outdoor pavilion hosts 300 or more guests with lakefront views. Lakeside settings are available for outdoor ceremonies as well. Lake Elsie Wedding Barn hosts one wedding per weekend, giving couples and their guests exclusive access to the full grounds for three days. A Safe Ride Bus service is included in the wedding package, and the Lady on the Lake B&B — a historic 1884 property on the shores of Lake Elsie accommodating up to eight adults — provides on-site lodging for the wedding party.