Washburn District Court, otherwise known as the McLean County District Court is in the South Central judicial district of North Dakota.

Early in the 19th century, the Lewis and Clark expedition made their Winter home at Fort Mandan which they erected a few short miles West of Washburn. Other later forts constructed in McLean county were Fort Berthold and Fort Stevenson which served as supply hubs for up-river forts and overland forts to the East as well as protection to both settlers and friendly Indian tribes. A replica of the original Mandam fort has been built on the shores of the Missouri river near Washburn. The Falkirk Mine, an open pit, surface mine operation located South of Underwood offers tours to visitors.