Minot’s Anne Street Bridge Part 5 –

Many other problems persisted after the “foot viaduct” had been built. Because of the steps on both ends, older people and women with baby carriages had difficulties using the bridge. Early travelers across the bridge also had to contend with soot and smoke from the engines passing below. City officials also noted there was a threat to ladies wearing light colored or expensive gowns. Finally in January 1918 Great Northern agreed to “enclose and cover and also reconstruct the floor of the viaduct to deal with the soot and smoke. It seems that much later, in the 1920’s the steps were replaced with inclines (ramps).  The bridge may have remained “covered” well into the 1950’s. The picture shows people fishing from the Anne St. Bridge in the 1920's

Research thanks to Susan Gessner - Minot

Minot’s Anne Street Bridge Part 4 –

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In April 1909 the city of Minot passed an ordinance allowing the “foot viaduct” to be built. Part of the ordinance apparently called for using the remains of the 1908 bridge as part of the construction. The City of Minot also agreed not to request any other “crossing” over Great Northern property. Also, upon completion of the construction, Great Northern would have the right to remove all other footbridges between the Great Northern bridge and Nedrud Avenue. Construction was completed in June of 1909. Criticism arose as the access to the bridge consisted of forty some steps on both ends of the bridge, creating problems for many residents.   Research thanks to Susan Gessner - Minot

Minot’s Anne Street Bridge Part 3 –

By September 1908 it seems that the Great Northern had agreed to a new bridge … a “foot viaduct” that would span the Mouse River and the railway grounds. The city would split the costs with Great Northern but haggling still continued. One issue was Great Northern’s insistence that it would not pay for the approaches to the viaduct. At one point the City on Minot was considering “condemning Great Northern property for Anne’s Street diagonally to Main Street” to assert their rights. Finally in March 1909, the city approved the plans submitted by Great Northern. Erik Ramstad helped secure the funding to pay for the city’s share of the costs totaling $1895.00      Research thanks to Susan Gessner - Minot

Minot’s Anne Street Bridge Part 2 –

 On Sunday, April 26, Great Northern employees tore down half of the structure. The city apparently had not consulted with G. N about the need for the bridge but built it anyway. Great Northern gave no issue during the construction of the footbridge. The reason for the demolition appears to have been the city infringing on Great Northern property without permission. This left the North Siders far from jubilant and somewhat out of sorts. The local newspapers were very sarcastic towards the railroad in all their articles covering the issue. Finally. by September 1908, the railroad agreed to a new bridge – a “foot viaduct” that would span the Mouse river and the railroad tracks.      Research thanks to Susan Gessner - Minot

Minot’s Anne Street Bridge Part 1 –

 For many years the residents of the “North Side” of early Minot wanted better access to downtown. A footbridge known as the “Wheeler Bridge” spanned the Mouse Rive at the foot of Victoria Street but was mainly used and useful to G.N. employees. In 1908 a temporary footbridge was built over the Mouse River by the “north Siders”, but it was later partially destroyed. In early 1908, a “foot viaduct” was built by the city to replace the unsafe temporary bridge. This footbridge spanned the Mouse River and the Great Northern Railway tracks. It was built in early 1908 at a cost of $625. The North Siders were jubilant.

Show N Sell Sign –

the Show N Sell Sign is the former marquee from the Empire Theater on main Street.  When the theater was torn down, the theater marquee was rescued by Robert and Becky Weiss. The sign was built in 1954 when the Empire Theater was constructed. The Show N Sell sign was placed on the roof of the Midtown Plaza on the southwest corner of Broadway and 2^nd Avenue. A number of energy saving materials. As the Empire Marquee the sign was illuminated with 480 incandescent light bulbs. As the Show N Sell sign it is illuminated by two exterior high intensity lights. The sign was rented by people and businesses wanting to advertise or announce special events. As co-owner of the Show N Sell sign I can attest to some of the challenges in operating it. The only access to the sign on the roof was by an extension ladder placed on the west side of the building. The first winter of ownership we discovered that water on the roof pooled below the sign. In the winter, the wind blew and polished the ice, making it very slippery. We used a step ladder to place the letters on the sign as this worked much better and was quicker than using the long arms to place the letters. With the ice it became a two man job. One to hold the ladder and one to place the letters. In later years we placed wooden pallets upside down below the sign. When they froze into the ice, the step ladder would not slide around while working on the sign.

Minot Grocery Co.

Minot Grocery Company –Originally known as Grand Forks Mercantile,  the Minot Grocery Company started operations in Minot in 1906. Its first home was in downtown Minot east of Main Street and north of Central Avenue. In the early days Minot Grocery was purchased by the Nash Finch Company.  The Nash Brothers started business in 1885 in Grand Forks and were soon joined by Harry Finch. Nash Finch Company supplied products to the area Piggly Wiggly, Jack & Jill and Circle Food Stores. Nash Finch moved to a new, modern warehouse on Highway 2 & 52 West. They are still in business at the same location. That is now 16^th Street SW and Burdick Expressway West.