Furry Residents

Squirrels in Minot – there are not too many places in the Souris Valley in Minot that one does not see a number of squirrels. At times there seems to be a number of black squirrels in the mixture. I often wondered if these were a different breed of squirrel. Back in 1939, the same question was on people’s minds. It seems that in the early 1900’s, the Minot Park Board imported squirrels from Iowa and Wisconsin. One story had it that the squirrels were brought in to provide wildlife for Riverside, (now Roosevelt), Park. The idea was the squirrels, once released in the park would stay on the east side of the river, confined to the park. Obviously the early Park Board did not realize the ingenuity of the squirrels. George Valker, a long member of the Park Board, recalled that the black and foxtail squirrels were introduced to the Park in 1916. In 1939, Perna Stine, a biologist at Minot State Teachers College said the black squirrels are a variation of the grey squirrel family. Although the black squirrels are not as prevalent as the grey squirrels, there are still some in the city today.

Grocery Stores of the Past

Red Owl stores – Three locations at one time – Downtown Minot – across the street west of the Midwest Federal Building, managed at one time by Don Steffan – Arrowhead Shopping Center (where White Drug is now located) managed by Leonard Kretchmar and South Broadway in the Tractor Supply location- managed by Don Jessen ….. Piggly Wiggly Stores – Three locations – Town and Country Shopping Center (on the north end where the Trinity Cancer Center is – Highway 2 East – Across from the ND State Fair Grounds – Oak Park Shopping Center…… Super Valu - There were two Super Valu Stores as I recall....one at 627 North Broadway - South of the Subway Restaurant and the other on South Broadway - where the Good Will Store is at 14th Ave and South Broadway.

 Town & Country Piggly Wiggly

 Downtown Red Owl

Super Valu - North Broadway

Miracle Mart – 1971 –

 In 1971 there were two Miracle Mart Discount Food Center Grocery Stores in Minot. One was in the Kmart Shopping Center at the intersection of Highway 83 and The Highway 2 & 52 Bypass, (they were in the east end of the Kmart Building). The other location was in Garden Valley in northwest Minot at 16^th Street and 4^th Avenue.  In 1971, Miracle Mart advertised, “Item for item our prices are lower than any other store”. Price comparisons between Miracle mart and other “Chain” grocery stores were usually featured in the Miracle Mart ads. Example” bisquick, 40 oz box was 53 cents at Miracle mart . the next cheapest price at other stores was 63 cents. Miracle Mart Stores are now part of the Marketplace Food Store chain

The Windsor Hotel was on the corner of 1^st St and 1^st Ave. SE. This is where the old YMCA was located. The Scandinavian Hotel was on the east side of the block on1st Avenue, just east of the Blue Rider Bar. The original Soo Line Depot was across the street, on Third Street SE. When the early settlers arrived at the Soo Line Depot, they would see they Scandinavian Hotel. Most if not all of the Scandinavian languages were spoken here. Many of the early pioneers in the northwestern part of the state arrived at the Soo Line depot and may have stayed at the Scandinavian Hotel. Eventually the Scandinavain Hotel was demolished to make room for an expansion on the Windsor Hotel.

Scandinavian Hotel early 1900's

Windsor Hotel - 1949

MSU Dome Construction

In 1979 the MSU Dome was under construction and in August of that year the radial trusses that support the dome roof were being place. The Dome was built at a cost of about $4.5 million. It would take 1 ½ to 2 months to place all the roof trusses. It seems that the trusses were placed on edge and joined in the center on a special platform that was later removed after all were installed.

Big Bear Stores

Located at 6 North Main St, Big Bear was the headquarters for Levi Strauss & Co. quality clothing – They billed themselves as the Complete Levi’s Headquarters.--- some of the many things they carried in the clothing line included – Corduroy Flare Pants, Sta-Prest Flares in plaids and checks – Denim shirts and jackets and the big  one in the 60’s – shrink – to – fit jeans….. in the early 1970's I worked at Big bear in the Downtown location. besides the clothing lines Big Bear also carried a full assortment of hunting and fishing accessories including firearms and hunting and fishing licenses. Big Bear was also one of the few places at that time that carried sheets of foam rubber for upholstery projects.

Winter Festival - 1971

The Minot Downtown Merchants held a Winter Festival in mid February back in the early 70’s. The Festival was a three day event covering Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of the Downtown Merchants featured advertised special during the event. Some of the other activities included a Torch Light Parade on Main Street, Beard Judging Contest, Snowmobile races at the Fair Grounds, Carnival Night at the Auditorium, Kids Mini toboggan Races at Jim Himm (prior to the new High School being built), Trap Shooting at the gun club and a basketball game between the Minot Sate football team and the Minnesota Vikings.