During the early years of the 20th century, American families witnessed amazing changes in their daily lives--the arrival of plumbing and electricity in their homes, the first automobiles, and thanks to the Eastman Kodak Company, the first affordable, portable, photographic instrument, the box camera. Many families purchased the box camera (for $1) and began to document their own histories. It is upon these histories that North Dakota places its focus. Nowhere were the changes so dramatic as on the Great Plains, and in the state of North Dakota especially. Due to the huge influx of immigrants, mostly from Scandinavia, the state's population more than doubled from 1900 to 1940, roughly the period covered in North Dakota. But this was also a time of hardship and struggle, as the Great Depression, the Dustbowl, and war took their toll on North Dakota families. But through hard work and perseverence, most of these families survived, and thrived, and now share with us the story of that time.
Jamestown
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Jamestown's history began long before its appearance on railroad maps in 1872. Nomadic clans occupied the region thousands of years ago, hunting the icy edges of glaciers for bison. Evidence of mound builders from around 2,000 years ago is found in Stutsman County. Modern tribes claimed the territory, including the Dakota (Sioux), and by the early 1800s, explorers and trappers had encroached upon the region. With the Civil War, the United States began operations to suppress tribal people as pioneers moved west. Uncle Sam's expansion brought railroaders, adventurers, homesteaders, merchants, and others to the Upper Plains. Images of America: Jamestown introduces a wide assortment of local characters: Anton Klaus, the "father of Jamestown"; Peggy Lee, the feverish singer and bluesy jazz artist; and Louis L'Amour, the prolific writer of Western novels. Discover Jamestown's rich history and dynamic people, from farmers and newspaperwomen to soldiers and bankers. Longtime residents will enjoy rediscovering places and personalities they may only vaguely remember.
Cass County
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Cass County is flanked on its eastern border by the Red River of the North. Created by retreating glaciers, Cass County is known for its exceptionally flat topography and fertile soils. Archaeological evidence indicates that the county was home to Paleo-Indian groups as far back as 9,000 years ago. More recently, many different Native American nations foraged and hunted bison in the region. Dakota Territory was created in 1861, and Cass County was organized in 1873 with Fargo recognized as the county seat in 1875. The county is named for George Washington Cass, a former president of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which entered the county in 1872. Cass County is famous for agriculture and its bonanza farms, enormous commercial wheat farms unique to the Red River valley from the 1870s to the 1890s.
Mandan
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The late 1800s and the early 1900s brought tremendous changes to Mandan, as well as all of North Dakota. The 1880s through the second decade of the 20th century saw much of the new state's population growth, as English, Irish, Scandinavian, German, and many other ethnic groups joined the Native American tribes that had been in the Mandan area for centuries. Later arrivals of Germans from Russia resulted in even more diversity in the young city. First inhabited by the Mandan Indians, the city of Mandan has become a vital center for Morton County government, agricultural activities, and various industries. The "city where the West begins" is accessible from many directions because of its location near the Missouri River, along a main railway line, and near an interstate highway.
Bismarck, North Dakota
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The late 19th and the 20th centuries brought tremendous changes to Bismarck, as it did to all of North Dakota. The 1880s through the 1910s saw much of the new state's population growth. In this time period, English, Irish, Scandinavian, German, and many other immigrant settlers joined the several Native American tribes that had been in the Bismarck area for centuries. Later arrivals of Germans from Russia resulted in even more diversity in the young city. Originally named Edwinton for Edwin F. Johnson of Vermont, who first suggested the building of a transcontinental railroad, Bismarck became the territorial, state, and county seats of government. With the governmental functions came related businesses and industries, as well as employment opportunities for Bismarck's citizens. Its location on the Missouri River and a main railway line meant that Bismarck was accessible from all directions, and many of today's landmarks and streets are named for those who arrived by water and rail.
Main Street, North Dakota in Vintage Postcards
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The postcard has always been a popular form of communication, but as we look back, it also serves as a valuable historical document. The views of our past offer us a unique insight into the people and places that came before us. Main Street, North Dakota offers us an intriguing look at that uniquely American street, where business was transacted, goods purchased, and information and stories shared. Some of the towns collected here have disappeared off the map, but the majority have survived and continue to grow and prosper.
Main Street, North Dakota Volume II
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Whether you consider the postcard a work of art, or a simple means of connecting with loved ones far away, there is no denying it has become something more enduring-a historical document. Journey with us to Main Street-the center of business, trade, culture, and information in towns up and down the expanse of the Great Plains. Many of the towns seen in Main Street, North Dakota Volume II, have disappeared off the map, but many more still stand, and continue to thrive.
Fargo, North Dakota
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Established in 1872 when the Northern Pacific crossed the Red River from Moorhead, Fargo quickly became an important town. The combination of the railroad and the wheat boom created a flourishing frontier city in the 1870s. The railroads brought goods into Fargo for sale, and established it as the area's major retail, wholesale, and service center. From 1880 to 1940 Fargo grew consistently with substantial immigration. Many of the early city leaders were Yankees from states such as Maine, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, as well as Canadians. European immigration before 1900 was predominantly from Scandinavia and Germany, but after 1900 it broadened to include other countries. These immigrants brought strong traditions with them that became evident in the religious and cultural life of the city.
North Dakota Postcards 1900-1930
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From the 1890s through the 1920s, the postcard was an extraordinarily popular means of communication, and many of the postcards produced during this "golden age" can today be considered works of art. Postcard photographers traveled the length and breadth of the nation snapping photographs of busy street scenes, documenting local landmarks, and assembling crowds of local children only too happy to pose for a picture. These images, printed as postcards and sold in general stores across the country, survive as telling reminders of an important era in America's history. This fascinating new history of North Dakota showcases more than two hundred of the best vintage postcards available.
