Minot Typewriter Company –

Gene Sloan started Minot Typewriter Company in 1936 in a small building on the site that is now occupied by the Midwest Federal Building. The business had a franchise with L.C. Smith Co. In 1941 Gene joined the Navy. George Osdoba, then a mechanic for Office Specialties, Co., took up where Sloan left off. In 1942 he changed the name to Minot Typewriter Agency but soon changed it back to Minot Typewriter Co. During the war there was very little merchandise to sell so 95% of the business was repair and service work. In 1944, Truman Graves left Gaffaney’s in Grand Forks to join Osboda. Minot Typewriter was at R.C. Allen, Underwood-Olivetti and Steelcase franchises. 

Dairy Companies

Bridgeman Creamery --  in June 1963, Bridgeman Creameries ran a full page ad proclaiming their value to the community. Milk purchased from area dairy farmers – over $900,000.00 and their payroll was over $400,000.00.  Bridgeman claimed their secret ingredient was “Quality”. The creamery produced not only milk but also butter, cottage cheese, whipping cream, ice cream and sour cream. In the 1960’s, Bridgeman still offered home milk delivery. 

White’s Dairy Products --  during the Diamond Jubilee celebration in 1961, Whites Dairy had been in business over 57 years, since 1904. White’s Dairy products included milk, cream and ice cream….

 Bridgeman

White's Dairy

President John F Kennedy invited to Jubilee….

 Senator Quentin Burdick presented an invitation to President Kennedy to attend the Ward County Diamond Jubilee in Minot on Spetember 2, 1961. The invitation was written on a calf skin and read: The people of Ward County, North Dakota, cordially invite John F Kennedy, President of the United States, to attend our Ward County Diamond Jubilee at Minot on Air Force Day, September 2, 1961…. Signed by W. M. Harrington, mayor of Minot. The President did not attend.

Minot 75th Birthday – 1961 –

In 1961, the state was celebrating the 100^th Anniversary of the Dakota Territories and Minot was celebrating its 75^th Anniversary. Jubilee week for the 75^th Anniversary of Minot was scheduled for the week of August 27 thru September 3, 1961. The week long festival was to include parades, historical displays, talent show, beard contest, fireworks, religious services, car racing and the historic spectacle – “Jim Hill to Jets”. This 90 minute play was presented at the North Dakota State Fairgrounds on a 300 foot stage. It showed the development of Minot from its early days to 1961. From the time of railroad pioneer, Jim Hill, to the huge Minot Air Force Base. The presentation consisted of 22 scenes about the history of Minot. 

Tunnels in Minot – Steam Tunnels –

 This is probably a good time to post this entry about some of the tunnels in Minot ...There is no truth to the rumor that a number of vintage cars were stashed in the tunnels under Downtown Minot that have never been found.

For many years a number of downtown buildings were heated by steam which was piped into them by steam pipes for the NSP Steam Power plant. The steam pipes had to be maintained so they ran through tunnels below the streets and buildings. These tunnels were large enough to accommodate men who may need to repair or do other maintenance. Many people confuse these tunnels with tunnels rumored to be running into Minot for the purpose of running contraband in and out of town. Most of this was in the form of alcohol smuggled in from Canada and other points. The Steam tunnels under Minot, while large enough to walk through were separate form any booze smuggling tunnels. However there was a rumor that a tunnel ran from Stearns Motors to the Rex Motel and another tunnel that ran from Stearn’s Motors to the old Flatiron Building. Possibly, only the people working on the Broadway Project in 1960 would know if this were true.

El Tio’s Mexican Supper Club –

 opened  in 1979, El Tio’s feature seating for 175 people. The décor and food was Mexican along with some American dishes. El Tio’s featured authentic Mexican recipes which are not by nature overly spicey but the spices could be added to the customer’s preference. The Mexican Décor featured hand crafted items from Mexico such as adobe brick, Mexican blown glass light fixtures, hand painted tiles, leather chairs and piñatas.  The build is now the home of GEM Credit Union.

Louis Armstrong –

Thanks to one of my blog followers from Scotland I received a post from 1936. Louie Armstrong (Satchmo) was in Minot in concert at the Parker Auditorium on December 9th, 1936 for two events. From 7:30 to 9:00 pm was a concert with admission being only 55 cents. From 9:30 pm to 1:00 am was a dance. Admission to the dance was $1.15.  He was billed as a star of stage, screen and radio and a recording artist for Decca Records. He was accompanied by his orchestra. Again the Parker Auditorium was above the Parker Motors Company, across the street from the Scandinavian Hotel (which was torn down to make room for the YMCA.)