Category
Topics
Prostitution
When houses of prostitution cluster in a city, they form what is commonly called a “red-light district”. “The Hollow,” as it was called in Fargo, had a scarlet glow from the 1880s to the early 20th century. Some “working girls” or prostitutes followed the men building the Northern Pacific Railroad, while others settled along the route. Many of the patrons visited Moorhead’s l
Read MoreBootlegging
Liquor once flowed freely on both sides of the Red River at Fargo and Moorhead, but when North Dakota statehood came, saloons had to be closed by July 1, 1890. Moorhead saloons quickly filled the gap, offering free transportation to Fargoans still needing a lawful drink. That liaison lasted until Clay Countians voted dry in 1915, closing Moorhead’s saloons ahead of national prohibition in 1920. But intoxicants
Read MoreViolent Crime
Crime Overview As railroad construction continued and industry expanded in the late 19th century, the gap between the upper and lower classes grew. With an influx of people looking to work along the tracks, complications arose, leading to an increase in crime. Although the introduction of the Northern Pacific and SPM&M improved economic opportunities, with it came prostitution, alcohol consumption, and conflict.
Read MoreRepurposing Fargo
Fargo has grown immensely and gone through numerous changes in its 142-year history. Growing from just over 2,500 people in 1880 to over 107,000 today and surviving such natural disasters as fires, floods and tornadoes; nothing has been able to stop Fargo from thriving. Fargo’s downtown has always been a thriving business mecca[1] of the Red River Valley and is a key reason Fargo has survived to be the city it is tod
Read More
Taboo Fargo/Moorhead
NDSU students announce exhibit exploring Fargo-Moorhead’s taboo past. April 18, 2013 Fargo, ND – “Taboo: Fargo-Moorhead” is the subject of an exhibit opening May 9 at the Hjemkomst Center in Moorhead, Minnesota. The exhibit is a project of the spring semester Museum Studies class at NDSU. The unmentioned stories in the history of Cass and Clay counties are the focus of the exhibit, which explores prostitution, bootl
Read MoreKeeney & Devitts Deed
Deed to property purchased by Alexander, Aaron, and Max Stern. This is one of the buildings destroyed by the 1893 fire. Keeney and Devitts Addition Deed 1891 -Chad Halvorson, Digital History 2012
Read MoreBridges
The history of bridges in the Fargo area is only half the tale. Much like neighbors deciding how to split the cost of labor and materials on a fence, the city of Moorhead had just as much invested into bridge building as Fargo did. Needless to say, the meetings between Fargo and Moorhead officials got heated at times. The back and forth went from petty accusations to downright grudge matches, but in the end it all wo
Read MoreMartin Hector
Martin Hector is considered to be one of the most influential pioneers in the City of Fargo. His dedication to the city went above and beyond what was asked of him. Martin lived in Fargo most of his life and died here in 1938. Martin, along with other prominent leaders of Fargo, gave it the push it needed to become the successful city it is today. In 2000, a woman by the name of Susie Yakowics wrote a wonderful artic
Read MoreFirst and Second Session Laws Establishing NDAC
Scanned pages of the laws establishing the North Dakota Agricultural College. 1st Session Laws, 1890 North Dakota Legislative Assembly. 2nd Session Laws, 1891 North Dakota Legislative Assembly. -Rebecca Paton, Digital History 2012
Read MoreMayors
1875–1876; George Egbert 1876–1877; Evan S. Tyler 1877–1880; George Egbert 1880–1882; Jasper B. Chapin 1882–1883; William A. Kindred 1883–1885; Woodford A. Yerxa 1885–1886; John A. Johnson 1886–1887; Charles Scott 1887–1888; Alanson W. Edwards 1888–1890; Seth Newman 1890–1892; Wilbur F. Ball 1892–1894; Emerson H. Smith 1894–1896; Wilbur F. Ball 1896–1902; John A. Johnson 1902–1904; William D. Sweet The NDSU Archives
Read More