Richland County, North Dakota: History
The Dakota Territory legislature created the county on January 4, 1873, with area partitioned from Pembina County. It was named for Morgan T. Rich, who settled on the site of the future Wahpeton in 1869. The county organization was completed on November 25 of that same year. Its boundaries were altered in 1883 and 1885. It has maintained its present configuration since 1885.
In 2022, strong winds known as a derecho, more than 70 mph, produced 34 tornadoes, including one that passed through Richland County near LeMars.