Building Projects underway in 1963

 Union National Bank – 1963 – in early 1963 Union National Bank was in the construction phase. The steel work was in place for the new two story bank building which was to be the home of the most modern facility in the banking business…… Gate City Savings & Loan – a multi gabled roof accented the new building on the corner of 4th Avenue and 1^st Street SW …. Ramada Inn – on top of North Hill overlooking the valley. known as the Grand International Inn and now The Grand Motel

 Union National Bank construction -- note I Keating Furniture in center of picture

 Gate City - 1963 after construction completed

Ramada Inn Construction

Town & Country - 1963

Under construction in 1963 and slated to open in early 1964. – the center of the mall was to be 40 feet wide and 400 feet long with 19 tenants --- Anchors would be Sears, JJ Newberry Co. and Piggly Wiggly …. Other early tenants were Kinney Shoes, Ellison’s, White Drug, K-G Men’s Store, Fanny Farmer Candies, Steenstrup Jewelers, Deardurff’s Hobby Shop, Kelly’s Bottle Shop, Keatings Carpet Shop as well as a barber shop and a beauty salon. Eventually Young America would also enter the mall

Artist Concept of T&C Center

Main Medical and Ward Drug

In early May, 1963 – tours and an open house were held at the all new Main Medical Building on the corner of Main Street and 4^th Avenue East – ( now the corner of Main St and Burdick Expressway) … The building included a pharmacy, office space for rent and a coffee shop – the air conditioning unit when the building opened was a 100 ton and the largest unit in operation in Minot at the time. 

 The new Main Medical Building

Main Medical Lobby

Blaisdell Motors

Nov 1, 1927 – Located at 419 South Main Street – Blaisdell Motors was the Chrysler Dealer in 1927. On November 1, 1927 they were advertising the New Chrysler “52”.  The ad claimed the “New 52” was head and shoulders above the rest of the industry in comfort and luxury. The wood and Steel body was larger, the seats were wider and more comfortable and the car could achieve speeds of 52 miles per hour. Blaisdell Motors was selling, your choice, a Coupe or a Roadster with a Rumble seat for $725.00. Or you could step up in luxury to the De Luxe Sedan for $875.00. If you were in the market for a used car – Hupmobile Touring - $150.00 or an Overland Touring car for $75.00 This later became Main Motors.

Blaisdell Mtrs - Main and 4th Ave (Burdick Exp)

 Another view looking south

Later became Main motors

Bon Ton Shop

February 18, 1956 was the grand opening of the Bon Ton Shop on Main Street in downtown Minot. The Bon Ton shop was the store for discriminating women….. The store featured many nationally advertised labels. The departments in the store were Sportswear, Suits and coats, Dresses, Accessories and Tot-n-Teen wear…. Contractors were Mackley Construction, Minot Electric and Minot Plumbing. During the celebration customers could register for prizes, watch an informal modeling show and listen to organ music by Marge McFall…Making a special appearance at the grand opening was the 1956 Dodge La Femme. This was a Dodge Car designed exclusively for women ….

Outdoor Theaters

1963 Out Door Theaters –in June, 1963 the new Starlite Outdoor Theater would soon be opening. Both outdoor theaters were owned by the same company, Triangle Theaters associates. By July of 1963 there were two outdoor theaters in Minot. The Minot Outdoor Theater was on North Hill in the area of what is now the Vegas Motel. On July 3, 1963 they were showing 4 features including Ma & Pa Kettle on Old MacDonald’s Farm …. The Starlite Outdoor Theater was on Highway 83 South where The Cenex Gas Station, Holiday Inn Express and Cartiva are located – they same weekend they were showing a 4 feature Spookathon – one of which was the Tower of London staring Vincent Price…. Admission to both – 85 cents and kids under 12 were free ---also free were those who hid in the trunks of cars as you entered the theater grounds

 The day before opening

 Outdoor theater speakers

Outdoor theater ads

Elks Lodge

Minot Elks Lodge 1954 – The original Minot Elks Lodge #1089 was dedicated in 1909. It was located on the southwest corner of  Main Street and 2^nd Avenue in Downtown Minot. On Wednesday, October 27^th, 1954 the new Minot Elks Lodge opened on 2^nd Avenue and Broadway, about a block west of the original Elks Club. The grand opening events were limited to Elks members only, except for an open house from 2 pm to 8 pm so non-Elk members could see the new building. The Elks Club in 1954 boasted of having about 1750 members and the new building was built at a cost of about $500,00.00. 

Elks Club 1910

Presbyterian Church in background