Picnic in January

1892 Picnic -- On a mild day in January of 1892, almost the entire population of Minot enjoyed an outdoor picnic without having to bundle up in warm clothing. The scene is near the Great Northern Railroad Bridge across the Mouse River. At the time of the picture, the picnic grounds were outside the City Limits of Minot. This site is very close to where the Minot Flour Mill would be built. In the picture are C. A. Johnson, principal of the school and some of his students. One of those students was Joseph Rowan who went on to become and undertaker and owner of Rowan’s Funeral Home on Main Street. The Funeral Home was an establishment involved in the illegal booze running during the prohibition days.

Skateland - Fire 1962

 Skateland was located in the auditorium portion of the old Parker Motor building located at 113 1^st Avenue SE. Early in the morning of Sunday, Sept 23, 1962, the upper portion of the building was destroyed by fire. About two years previously the building had been purchased from the Parker Corporation by Dr. Ringo. The building also house the California firm of Ets-Hokin-Galvin Inc. They were involved in laying cable for the Minute Man missile project in the area. By the time the firefighters arrived there was to chance to save the roof and upper story. Damage to the rest of the building was limited as the auditorium had a double layered wooden floor. There had been a dance in Skateland the evening before which may have contributed to the cause of the fire. The building is still there and is used as a parking garage.

 Interior of Parker Auditorium / Skateland

Parker Motors and Auditorium middle of block

Jundt's Westland

Thursday, September 27, 1962 was the opening of a new Westland gas station on the magic Mile in Minot, (the Magic Mile being South Broadway). The proprietor of the new station was Leo Jundt. Prior to operating this location, Jundt operated a Westland Station on East Central Avenue. The new station on South Broadway was built at a cost of $85,000.00. It featured a 25 foot canopy in the front that extended over the gas pumps. The station also housed two service bays, each with a single post hoist. The “Selectane” gas pumps were new in design and could dispense nine different grades of gasoline to match the gas to the octane requirements of the vehicle

Remember These From the Past?

 Arrowhead Record Discount Center – Besides Records they also sold stereos – many in furniture styled cabinets ( in the 60’s – before the days of  cassettes, cd’s and mp3’s) ……. Diamond’s Department Store – Mainly clothing in two Minot locations – Arrowhead Shopping Center and 437 2^nd St NW (N. Broadway) …… Arrowhead Drug – in 1963 – Minot’s newest drug store ….. H&H Variety – located at 109 South Main St …. Coast to Coast Store – 14 1^st Ave SW – Northwest Piano Co. 121 South Main St …. Also sold radios and TV’s and had a complete radio and TV service Dept…..Shark’s Mens Store – corner of 1^st Avenue and Main St. – home of Rick’s Jewelry repair …. Deardurff’s Hobby House – 111 West Central Ave.—used to hold model contests – 3 Divisions – Cars, Ships and Airplanes ….. 

Jan 1963 - King Leo's Opens

King Leo’s opens in Minot ….. the ad in the newspaper on January 22, 1963 proclaimed that King Leo’s was open for business. They billed themselves as the “Aristocrat of Hamburgers)…. King Leo’s was open Sunday through Thursday from 11 am to Midnight and Friday and Saturday from 11 am to 1 am… The opening menu featured Hamburgers - 15 cents …..  Cheeseburgers – 19 cents ….. French fries – 12 cents …. Soft drinks 10 and 15 cents ….. hot chocolate – 12 cents and triple thick milk shakes – 20 cents …. All burgers were made with 100% US Gov’t. inspected ground beef…. King Leo’s was located on the Magic Mile (south Broadway – where Arby’s is now).

 King Leo's - Not Minot Restaurant

Great Northern Bank

1st National Bank was originally known as the Great Northern Bank when it was established in 1897. The building was constructed of brick made in a brickyard just west of Minot. This building stood until it was demolished in 1929 to make room for the new building. The bank was name the Great Northern Bank in honor of Jim Hill who was a close friend of Joseph Roach, one of the founders of the bank. Later the name was changed to the 2^nd National Bank and eventually to the 1^st National Bank.  In 1887 the Bank of Minot was formed and eventually became the 1^st National Bank. In the early 1900’s there were two banks chartered under the name of the 1^st National Bank. Both of these failed, hence the name 2^nd National Bank for a period of time. No affiliation with the failed banks was wanted. In the early days, trees were planted in the boulevard to the south of the bank. They grew to be quite tall before they were cut down due to the paving of the streets.

 

Great Northern Bank - 2nd National Bank

1st National Bank

News Arcade II

 In the Wednesday, January 30, 1963 newspaper there was an ad announcing the Grand Opening of the News Arcade II. It was located at 214 South Main St. They were open until 10:30 pm nightly. The News Arcade II claimed to have Minot’s most complete supply of paperback books. They also sold newspapers, magazines, greeting cards, and North Dakota Souvenirs…. And they did some photo finishing. … News arcade was also a drop off point for ABC Cleaners. Clothes in by 9 am would be ready by 5 pm.