Minot Electric

Started in 1923 by Sophus Henriksen it was located at 19 First Avenue SW. in 1961 Minot Electric was Minot’s oldest electrical contractor with 39 years of service. Back in 1923 the Minot Electric Showroom window featured the newly introduced 2-way plug. The Slogan for the new gadget was “ In every room, use the Benjamin two-way plug and double the use of every socket. The showroom window featured about 10 appliances all plugged into the same outlet. The two-way plug became a thing of the past and by 1961 the “Octopus Outlets” came into existence

Alm's Milk Products

In 1961, Alm’s Milk products featured the only plastic, no wax carton in Minot. Alm’s also featured Ice Cream along with their Grade “A” milk. Alm’s also had home delivery available. Alm’s milk bottles were sealed by special machine with heat settings up to 1500 degrees. Under the bottle caps were a heavy a cardboard bottle top with premiums printed on them. One could save the bottle tops and redeem them for a “Treasure of fine premiums”. Such items included a Pen Portrait from a picture you sent in, A flourentine silver spoon set, a Black Foresty Wall Clock, 6 personalized pencils, and at one time the bottle tops could be redeemed for admission to the matinee shows at the Empire Theater.

Leslie Benton Contractors

Leslie & Benton Contractors – This company was located 1 mile Southeast of Minot on old Highway 52. Their phone number was Temple 7-4106. Leslie and Benton claimed they were equipped with the know-how to meet all your needs in Industrial, Commercial and Home Construction. They began operation in1947. The owners were Lloyd J Leslie and Arthur C Benton. Some of the projects they did included The Starlite Club, St Croix Motors (on South Broadway), Minot Lumber Company (on South Broadway), Eddy’s Bar, Self Service Furniture, Carl’s Radiator Shop, Purity Dairy and an addition on the Gelking Motel. Leslie & Benton were also the regional headquarters for Safway Scafolding. Pictured below is Self Service Furniture on South Broadway

Super Grill

The Super Grill was located on North Broadway, next door to the Northwest Super Valu. They were open 24 hours a day. The Super Grill started operation in 1955. They claimed to be home for the finest in Steaks, Chicken, Shrimp, Short orders, Bar-B-Qued Ribs and fountain drinks. One of their specials in 1961 was One-half chicken fried golden brown with toast, salad, French fries  and coffee for only 89 cents.

Carl Aurland

One of Minot’s earliest business establishments was a small grocery store, owned and operated by Carl Aurland. The store began operation in 1886. Besides running the grocery store Aurland also bought and sold buffalo bones, a thriving business in the early days on Minot. By night he studued law in the backroom of his store and by 1890 he was admitted to the North Dakota Bar Association. For many years he operated a law office in Minot as well as managing farm and other interests in and around the town. He and his wife Josie were married in 1891 and made their first home on the 100 block of 4^th Avenue SE. Eventually they built a large house at 120 4^th Avenue SE (now know as Burdick Expressway). They had two daughters, one of whom taught in the Minot School System for close to 20 years.

Alma Shop

The Alma Shop was located at 104 4^th Avenue SE, in the Van de Streek – Furs Building.  According to an ad in the 1961 Diamond Jubilee newspaper, Alice and Madge were the proprietors of the shop. Apparently the Alma Shop specialized in a variety of patterns, sewing machines and fabrics in a complete array of colors and designs. The Alma Shop started operation in  1955. The boasted that “With today’s easy to follow patterns and time saving sewing machines, even the teenager can sew fashions for herself.

Nedrose School Explosion

October 15, 1962 – Five people were hospitalized in Minot after an explosion heavily damaged Nedrose School. Two others were treated and released. The explosion heavily damaged the six room grade school located 3 mile east of Minot. A Parent Teachers Association (PTA) was meeting at the time the explosion occurred. The explosion occurred in the furnace in the furnace room. It is believed to have been caused by a leak in a propane tank that supplied fuel to the hot water heater used in the building. Walls and many windows were blown out by the explosion. Desks in the classroom next to the furnace room were tossed about like a tornado went through the room.