Freeburg-Esser Home 401 6th Ave NW | Mandan Historical Society

Historic view of the Freeburg-Esser Home

Historic advertisement for contractor N. A. Freeburg

General contractor N. A. Freeburg, who was of Swedish descent, built the house in 1907 for his bride, Esther, intending it as their permanent home. Freeburg and his partner, Charles Kidd, constructed several prominent Mandan buildings, including the H. R. Lyon home at 309 Fourth Avenue NW and the First National Bank Building.

The Freeburgs sold the house in 1910 to Gustav A. Renden, co-owner of the Mandan Roller Mill and a founder of the Mandan Electric Company.

H. A. Jones purchased it in 1940, followed by bank examiner Oren Baertsch in 1942 and Piggly Wiggly owner Bill Joersz in 1949.

Attorney Maurice LaGrave purchased the house in 1959. Gene and Nola Helm, owners of Helm Brothers Sand and Gravel, followed in 1967. Intending to make it their permanent home, the Helms undertook a major restoration. They added a room at the rear, a utility room, and a garage while retaining the original stairs, sliding doors, woodwork, pillars, full-wall bookshelves, windows, and distinctively finished stone foundation. The former carriage house at the rear of the property is now a separate residence next door.

Chuck and Janet Esser of Camas, Washington, purchased the home in 1990. Janet's maternal and paternal ancestors had immigrated to the Sims area a century earlier.

The house has a warm, light atmosphere, and its front porch has long been a favorite gathering place for friends and family.

On the property

Freeburg-Esser Home heritage sign

Photographed July 31, 2026. This reviewed transcription preserves the wording printed on the sign.

Freeburg-Esser Home heritage sign. Select the photograph to view it at a larger size.

Read the reviewed sign transcription

The Esser Home

401 6th Ave NW

The home was built by N.A. Freeburg, a general contractor of Swedish descent, who built it for his bride, Esther, intending is to be their permanent home. However, within three years it was sold to G.A. Renden, a co-owner of the Mandan Roller Mill and one of the founders of N.D.U. Freeburg and his partner Charles Kidd built several of the prominent structures in the community, including the H.R. Lyon home at 309 4th Avenue NW, and the First National Bank Building.

In 1940 the home was sold to H.A. Jones; in 1942 to Oren Baertsch, a bank examiner; and in 1949 to Bill Joersz, then owner of the Piggly Wiggly grocery store.

In 1959, Maurice LaGrave, an attorney, purchased the home, followed, in 1967, by Gene and Nola Helm, owners of Helm Brothers Sand and Gravel. In 1990, the home was purchased by Chuck and Janet Esser of Camas, Washington. Janet’s ancestors, both maternal and paternal, had been immigrants to the Sims area a century before.

The Helm family, intending to make it their permanent home, gave the home a major restoration. A room was added to the rear of the house, as well as a utility room and a garage. However, the original stairs, sliding doors, woodwork, pillars, full-wall bookshelves and windows were left intact, as well as the uniquely finished rock foundation. The carriage house, formerly at the rear of the property, is now a separate residence next door.

The home has a warmth and lightness that wraps itself around all those who enter and the front porch has always been a favorite gathering spot for friends and family.

The three photographed views were read together and faded wording was cross-checked against the archived Heritage Homes article. Transcription reviewed on September 8, 2026. This does not constitute historical fact-checking.