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.
Minot Air Force Base
9781467102926
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The Strategic Air Command equipped the 4136th Strategic Wing at Minot Air Force Base with B-52Hs in 1961. The first landing of the first B-52H was part of a celebration on the base referred to as Peace Persuader Day. Over 10,000 area citizens came to the base to witness the historic landing. The wing was redesignated as the 450th Bomb Wing on February 1, 1963, and then again on July 25, 1968, as the 5th Bomb Wing—the name that it retains today. The base's location in the geographic center of North America made it perfect for a Minuteman missile wing complex to be built in 1961. This is the story of the Cold War–era construction of Minot Air Force Base and its continued operation as an Air Force Strike Command B-52H bomber and Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile base. With new nuclear threats arising from countries in Asia and the Middle East, Minot once again assumes an important role in the nation's defense.
Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park
9780738551296
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In 1883, two notable individuals traveled along similar, yet later diverging paths from the eastern United States to a hamlet located on the west bank of the Little Missouri River in southwestern North Dakota. Both men, the Marquis de Mores and Theodore Roosevelt, were to distinguish themselves as wealthy cattle ranchers within months of arriving on what was then the western Dakota frontier. The names of both individuals continue to resound through the historical chapters that shaped this part of the American landscape.
Fort Abraham Lincoln
9781467126861
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Established in November 1872, Fort Abraham Lincoln was part of a larger complex of military forts throughout the United States. Named in memory of President Lincoln, the fort protected railroad workers as they continued westward construction of the Northern Pacific Railroad. Famous figures associated with the fort include George Custer; his Arikara scout Bloody Knife; and individuals from the Oceti Sakowin, what in the 19th century was called the Great Sioux Nation, including Rain-in-the-Face, Long Soldier, and Thunder Hawk. In the late 1870s, the fort also served as a place for Nez Perce POWs. In 1891, the fort was decommissioned. The nonprofit Fort Abraham Lincoln Foundation spearheaded reconstruction in the 1980s. Several earth lodges from On-A-Slant were also built, and world-class interpretive programming was developed.
1957 Fargo Tornado
9781467126731
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On the evening of June 20, 1957, a tornado ripped through Fargo, North Dakota. It caused the deaths of seven children and five adults and left 116 injured. The tornado destroyed 359 buildings and damaged 2,543 more. The nine-mile path of destruction covered over 66 blocks in town, leaving more than 2,000 people homeless and causing approximately $20 million worth of damage. Following the tornado, first responders quickly united to aid those in need, setting up disaster headquarters, finding shelter for over 600 people, and distributing more than 100 tons of clothing and bedding. Dr. Tetsuya Fujita, a meteorologist, studied the Fargo tornado when creating the Fujita scale (F-scale) and later rated it an F5, the most destructive rating. Images of America: 1957 Fargo Tornado, shines a light on the tornado's destruction and the rebuilding of a united and vibrant community.
Jamestown
9780738599878
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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
9780738541457
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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
9780738550862
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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
9780738520001
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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.
Red River Floods
9781467113175
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Fargo, North Dakota, and Moorhead, Minnesota, have existed on opposite sides of the Red River of the North since 1871. Ever since, heavy moisture from melting snow has combined with spring rains to threaten both towns with a rapidly rising, twisting river. Minor flooding is almost an annual event, and on six occasions the two towns experienced major floods requiring evacuations of large numbers of residents. The history of these floods is covered in the photographs contained in this book, including many provided by residents, local flood-fighting crews, and state and federal agencies. These images tell the story of how the two communities deal with one of nature's most common dangers.
Fargo, North Dakota
9780738520179
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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 Rodeo
9780738582535
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Rodeos have been around in what is now North Dakota since the early cattle drives brought cattle and ranching to the Northern Plains and Badlands. The horse culture was there much earlier, as Native American tribes used horses for transportation and hunting. Simpler than modern events, early-day rodeos offered a Sunday recreational activity after six days of hard work. Today's rodeo is much different than in the late 1800s and brings out a diverse audience--not just cowboys, cowgirls, and ranchers but also city slickers, families, white- and blue-color workers, and first-time visitors to the state and country.
Herbst Department Store
9781467114479
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Herbst Department Store held sway on Fargo's Broadway for nearly 90 years. In 1887, a young merchant named Isaac Herbst came to Fargo to seek his fortune. He proved to be a dynamic salesman, and by 1892 he had founded Herbst Department Store. The business was destroyed a year later in the Great Fire of 1893, which wiped out most of downtown. Isaac rebuilt his business and expanded it until his death in 1910. The department store was continued by his widow, sons, grandsons, and a large group of loyal employees. The Herbst family took great pride in the community and was active in civic affairs. In the 1970s and 1980s, many customers abandoned downtown Fargo for West Acres Shopping Center and other large retail chains. Herbst was the last large department store remaining downtown until it closed in 1982. Images of America: Herbst Department Store shines a light on a business that had a great impact on Fargo's vibrant downtown and community.
