Cities of Burke County

Burke County has six incorporated communities along with several unincorporated villages and some which are only a memory.

Bowbells, the county seat, has just over 400 people and is located at the junction of Hwy 52 and Hwy 8 in the east-central portion of the county.

Columbus, a once thriving coal boomtown, now has just 151 people living in this quiet community along Hwy 5 in the northwestern part of the county.

Flaxton, with a population of 73 people, Flaxton is home to the Burke County Fair, held each summer just a mile north f town.

Lignite, near the center of the county, is named for the abundant type of coal found nearby and is home to 174 friendly people.

Portal, on the Canadian-US border is a busy 24hr port of entry for rail traffic on the Canadian Pacific Railway as well as commercial truck traffic and passenger vehicles on US Hwy 52. Portal has 131 people who would welcome you to their community.

Powers Lake, at the southern end of the county, invites you to join them for a find day of hunting or fishing on Powers Lake or nearby Smishek Lake. Powers Lake is home to 309 people who do their best to make your stay a memorable one.

Battleview, Coteau, Larson and Northgate are unincorporated villages.

Rival, Stampede, Perella and Woburn are ghost towns with few or no buildings, but many memories.