History Of Thomas Funeral Home

Martin Jacobson Home – Martin Jacobson was well known in the early days of Minot. He had a large ranch south of Burlington and built the Jacobson Building on the north end of Main Street that housed Jacobson Hardware, Union National Bank and the Opera House. The large house he built at 304 South Main Street was a surprise for his wife who suffered from tuberculosis. He built the house to accommodate his six children and also because he was fond of hosting large social gatherings. During the 1920s and into the 1930s, the home served as a rooming house for nurses employed at Trinity Hospital. From the later 1930s until 1944, it served as a public rooming house. Ben Thomas purchased the home in 1944 and with some remodeling, opened it as Thomas Funeral Home in 1945

Toyota In Minot

Asplund Toyota – Wendall Asplund started his first service garage and body shop on Minot’s north side in 1927. The first franchise Asplund had was the Pullman Coach. Through the years Asplund also sold Kaiser vehicles, Willys and finally in 1955, Studebaker. Asplund eventually became the Toyota dealer. When I first had dealings with Asplund Toyota they were located on South Broadway, just south of the old Frosaker Motor building. The service/shop entrance was located on Broadway. Driving in was no problem. To back out, you needed someone to watch traffic as you exited. Asplund eventually built a dealership on north hill. The Toyota franchise was purchased by Ryan Chevrolet and then by Minot Chrysler.

 the original home of Asplund Motors

Bowling on South Hill

Chateau Lanes Bowling Alley – this bowling alley was on the south end of Minot. It was located about where Perkins and Slumberland are now. I believe it was a 24 lane bowling alley and the home of many bowling leagues. The bar located inside the bowling alley was The Alley Cat Lounge.

1964 - Magic Mile Merchants

Sept 25, 1964 – Magic Mile Merchants – The Magic Mile Merchants (South Broadway) also had an association and had an insert in the newspaper featuring many of their members. Some of these were: King Leo’s Drive-In, (home of the 15 cent hamburger on the south end of town)…. Import Motors – Used vehicles and Volkswagon dealer…… Budget Furniture – 1545 South Broadway…..  Minot Woodworks – featured custom or pre-finished kitchens and Built in Appliances ….. Swenson’s Furniture – 1933 South Broadway ….. The Electronic Center – 1512 South Broadway – Sales of Radio, TV and Stereo ….. Kelly’s Bottle Shop, Kelly’s Tavern and Kelly’s T&C Liquor and the Hub Bar …… Self Service Furniture – and North America Trail-R-Ama – Campers of all Types…. Drawz Stoker – Heating systems.

1964 - Business on North Hill

Sept 25, 1964 – North Hill Merchants Association – A double page newspaper ad promoting the development of North Hill sponsored by the North Hill Merchants association. The ad included a map of with the 26 North Hill Businesses involved and a map of the neighborhood. The Hill Top Bottle Shop was under construction. Harry’s Tire Service had a warehouse, Henry’s Drive In was open, Poor Rog’s Surplus and the Starlite Club were there. The Westland 83 Truck Stop was 1 mile north of the Airport and there were two gas stations…. North Hill Texaco and Jerry’s Standard Service. National Car Rentals could be found at Jerry’s Standard.  The ad also proclaimed that north hill now had “fine paved streets in every direction”.

Main Street - 1904 #3

1904 – Main Ave – west side north of First St .. First street is now known as Central Avenue. On the northwest corner, (according to the insurance maps was a bank, Second National Bank, later known as First National Bank. The original bank was not as large as it is today. Just to the west between the bank and the alley were office buildings with a print shop. On the west side of the alley was the Union Hotel. To the north of the bank was a meat shop then an office building followed by a barber shop and jewelry store. Next, in the area of the Soo Line Depot,  came a pool hall, men’s clothing store and a drug store. It appears as though a tailor shop was right next to the tracks.

1904 Main St #2

1904 – Main Ave – east side north of First St. Again, First Street is now Central Avenue. On the northeast corner was the Jacobson Building which house the Opera House, Jacobson Hardware, Union National Bank and the Post Office. Across the alley east of The Opera House was a tin shop and on the corner Wholesale Grocery, the forerunner to Nash Finch..To the north of the Opera House on main St was a large Men’s Clothing Store…Then another Drug store and Billiard Hall.