Minot Business Institute ….

The Minot Business Institute was located in the First Avenue Building in Downtown Minot. Their phone number was 571. The President and owner of the school was H. French. In 1935 it was said to be the north west’s most modern Business School. The school featured university trained instructors to train students in the most modern business methods known at the time. The Minot Business Institute boasted that their students were employed and making salaries from $50 to $120 per month. Some of the courses offered were, Bookkeeping, Accounting, Banking, Typing, Shorthand, Dictaphone, Mimeographing, Public Speaking and Advertising. Minot Business Institute were pioneers in modern business education and featured “Business Training with Distinction”.

Flood Threat 1976 -

Sears Gas Prices – in 1976 when Minot was threatened by a flooding Mouse River, Sears was located in the Town & Country Shopping Center. Sears also had an automotive center and gas station where Gate City Savings & Loan is now located. In a newspaper ad on April 20, 1976 Sears stated: Our gas prices will stay the same during the flood emergency. We will not take advantage of people who must travel extra miles during this emergency. Sears help their gas prices at 52.9 cents per gallon during the flood crisis. Also During the 1976 flood crisis, South Hill Red Owl extended its store hours to midnight to help people with their grocery shopping needs.

Hair Styles in the 1960's

 Many of us will remember the days gone by when girls “ratted” their hair. This began in the early 60’s and was popular for a number of years…. The Newspaper devoted about ½ page to the subject in February, 1963. The girls (only 3 at the time) felt it gave them extra body and the illusion of height (up to 3 or 4 inches). The “rat” their hair properly would take about 60 to 90 minutes. To return their hair to normal, another 30 plus minutes. I the article, most of the boys interviewed were not in favor of the style. Most agreed that they did not like it… some went so far as saying it made the girls look like monsters and one claimed the girls look like grizzly bears with their hackles raised.

North Hill Bowl

North Hill Bowl – Re-Grand Opening – February 15, 1963 …. North Hill Bowl Completed its remodeling project and was celebrating its new facility. 8 more lanes were added bring the total to 32 …. A meeting / banquet room and a nursery were also added and a Billiard Room ( as I recall it was on the south end of the building)…. During the re-grand opening celebration, free bowling instructions was provided by AMF experts…. Door prizes  were given away every hour …. Owners / proprietors were Morris and Betty Anderson. Pictured is North Hill Bowl and Restaurant in the 1950's

MInot's Magic Mile Pt 3 - 1962

 --  in 1962 the Magic Mile in Minot was Highway 83 south of Central Avenue…. It had not been renamed Broadway at this time . Some of the businesses and proprietors on the “Magic Mile” included Ardell Horob – Chateau Lanes – (Bowling alley where Perkins and Days Inn are now) ….. Oscar Swenson – Swenson’s Furniture (Computech) ….. Larry Ostdahl – Sebby’s House of Tile (corner of 19^th and South Broadway (new Dentist Office)) ….. Past Eating Establishments – The Shirley Room Cafeteria – Lower level of the Minot Federal Building…… Chief’s Chicken ‘n Beef & Fish – Located at 1701 South Broadway – Hours were 9am to 10 pm --- eat in or take out – Jake’s Spice & Spirit --- 1919 South Broadway (now the home of the Marketplace Dollar Store) ----

 

Minot's Magic Mile Pt 2 - 1962

 in 1962 the Magic Mile in Minot was Highway 83 south of Central Avenue…. It had not been renamed Broadway at this time . Some of the businesses and proprietors on the “Magic Mile” included Eldean Bechtold – Deliveryman – Minot Lumber – (Qudoba’s) ….. Alfred Braaten – Partsman – Krebsbach’s …. (S Broadway Marketplace Foods) …. Leonard H Rice – Mechanic – Nielson Stewart – (old Ryan GMC – Next to new Honda Store) ….. Gladys Stober – Magic Mile Market (Oil Change Center ) ….. Warren Grenvick – Shop Foreman – Minot Woodworks (across from Ryan Chevrolet) ….. Delores Signalness – Kitchen – Gordons Holiday Spot (Hibachi Restaurant) ….. Henry Zeman – Service manager – Import Motors (Prairie Federal) …. 

Minot's Magic Mile Pt 1 - 1962

in 1962 the Magic Mile in Minot was Highway 83 south of Central Avenue…. It had not been renamed Broadway at this time . Some of the businesses and proprietors on the “Magic Mile” included ….. Darlene Nush – Car hostess at Hansen’s Drive-In (before A&W days) …. Myron Anderson at Rice’s 24 hour Standard Service (14^th Ave) ….. Fred Lindberg – Service dept – Westlie Motors ….. Clarence Barth – Produce Mgr – South Hill Red Owl – (Tractor Supply) ….. Elmer Gaardsmoe – Mechanic – St Croix Motors (Dakota Boys ranch Thrift Store) ….. Maynard Erickson – Self Service Furniture – (across from Ryan Chevrolet)….. Jim Flory – Mechanic – Bee Line Service (1503 S. Broadway) ….. Doris Nordin – Kelly’s Bottle Shop  (Pita Pit) ……

St. Croix Motors

Jupiter Discount Store and more

Past Businesess – ….. Geo. E Valker Floral – 216 South main St…. Now the parking lot for Wells Fargo bank ….. Northland Archery – 10-A 1^st St SW – Above Harry’s Tire Service (When Harry’s was Downtown) – Indoor archery range and product sales ….. Spinning Wheel – Yarn and sewing shop located in the basement of Northwest Music on main Street in Minot ….. The Al-Ma Shop – fabrics and accessories – 108 4^th Ave SE – (new Burdick Expressway ….. Jupiter Discount Store grand opening was in February 1963– Main Street in Minot – Formerly SS Kresge and the forerunner of Kmart – (Western Paint Home Center in this building now)

Food Prices 1962

Grocery Prices Piggly Wiggly 1962 – at all locations – 20 pounds of potatoes – 59 cents … 1 pound of butter – 49 cents …. 8 inch baked apple pie – 59 cents ….. A german chocolate cake – 99 cents ….. Red grapes – 19 cents pound ….. Bathroom tissue – 12 rolls for $1.00 ….. 5 loaves of fresh baked bread for $1.00 …… Super Fair Grocery Stores – (North Broadway and 4th Avenue NW) ….. 10 pounds of sugar for 85 cents ….. Ground beef – 45 cents pound ….. Chuck roast – 49 cents pound ….. 10 pound bag potatoes – 25 cents …… Oreo cookies – 49 cents….. 2 ½ pound bag of brown sugar – 39 cents

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.

More Businesses You May Remember

Past Businesses – Cloth Haus – Fabrics and Notions – on Main Street in Downtown Minot ---- American Lifestyles --- 1906 South  Broadway (Now  CompuTech) – Sold waterbeds and bedroom suites ---- Minot Outdoor Theater --- on the corner of Highway 83 South and County Road 14 – (now the home of Cartiva and Enerbase- Across from Minot Chrysler Center) They occasionally featured “Buck Nite” - $1.00 per car admittance ---- Wylie Piano Co. --- 117 West Central Avenue – Dealer for Baldwin pianos …… The Meat Shoppe – Located in the Mar-Son Distributor Building just east of the Riverside ( on 8^th Ave or Valker Road) …. Trestle Valley Ski – In the hills by the train trestle west of Minot….

 Outdoor Theater - South Minot

Outdoor Theater - South Minot

Merck's Twist Inn

Twist Inn – an article in the Newspaper on August 7, 1969 stated that Arnold Merkel and his wife Beverly had taken over owner ship and management of the Twist Inn located at 800 North Broadway. They purchased the business from Norel Carlson. The new name will be Merk’s Twist In. the new hours were to be 11 am to 11 pm seven days a week. Two more waitresses were added to the staff. Merk was previously employed as a sales representative for KMOT-TV. Grand opening Spcials included 5 hamburgers for $1.00 --- Malts and Sundaes – 2 for 1 and an eight piece bucket of chicken with jo-jo potatoes for $1.95 --- a 16 piece bucket was only $3.95.

Lincoln Park -

 Lincoln Park on Roach Ave.  The 12+ acres of land was jointly owned by Erik Ramstad, Joseph Roach and James Johnson.  It was donated to the Minot City Park District for Park purposes.  In the 1950's the City people voted to put a school on the property not knowing the full details of where the land came from or what it was originally intended for.  Some descendants of the city founders cried "Foul" saying it was intended for a park purposes.  Then came "The Battle for Lincoln Park" lawsuit, School District of Minot vs. Park District of Minot, Judge ruled the School District could buy the $100,000 property from the Park District for $20,000.  Then the school was built in the flood zone. 

This map shows the location of Lincoln Park... Note  - Grand Avenue  is now University Ave.

Boxing, Concerts and More

Events from the Past – World Heavyweight Boxing Match – Closed circuit TV at Minot Auditorium – Floyd Patterson vs Sonny Liston – Thursday – Sept 25, 1962 – Tickets - $4, $5, $6 – reserved seating …. Country & Western Show – Feb 3, 1963 – this show featured Ray Price, “the Cherokee Cowboy”, George Jones, Bill Anderson, Hank Cochran and Loretta Lynn – Tickets $1.00 in advance and $1.75 at the door….. Nazareth – in concert at the All Seasons Aren – special guest – Sammy Hagar – Wednesday, March 15, 1978….. Roy Orbison – in person at the Minot Municipal Auditorium – Wednesday, August 26, 1964 – dance from 9 pm to midnight ….. 

More Past Businesses ---

Dacotah Homes – offices in the Arrowhead Shopping Center – 3 bedroom home as low as $13,900.00 – with custom fireplace as low as $23,500.00 ….. Parkway Grocery – Open seven days a week featuring a meat department, Fruit and vegetable (produce dept) and a complete stock of nationally advertised groceries….  Hardware Hank – 2105 North Broadway – Across from the old Hardees and Hwy 2 East – ¾ mile east of Fair Grounds….. Singer Sewing Center – 13 West Central Avenue – Authorized center for the sales of Singer Sewing Machines ……

Parker Auditorium - Skateland Fire 1962 –

Skateland Fire – 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 the Parker Auditorium (Skateland) 

Westland Oil 1962 - New concept in Gas Stations

Jundt’s Westland Gas Station – An article in the newspaper on Thursday, September 27, 1962 proclaimed 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. 

Diamond's Department Store

Past Businesses – 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 ….. 

Underhanded Maneuvers to Become County Seat

Minot becomes County seat for Ward County – Through some rather underhanded maneuvers by Minot officials and the railroad, Minot edged out Burlington as the county seat of Ward County. It appears that when the vote was to be taken by county residents, Minot officials demanded a polling location at Lone Tree, which is west of Des Lacs…. The Lone Tree precinct was approved as the railroad had dropped off an old boarding car and plugged it into the telegraph line to prove its existence. At election time, 143 votes were cast at the Lone Tree location where two weeks previously, no inhabitants could have been found. The vote went in Minot’s favor 499 to 134 for Burlington

The Aristocrat Of Hamburgers

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).

Early Main Street

Main Street 1890 – Looking North -- In the picture of Main Street in 1890 the teams of wagons belong to local Indians and are filled with buffalo bones which were traded to merchants for groceries and other merchandise. The bones were taken to a railroad spur and eventually shipped to St Louis to be used in refining sugar. The bones were worth ten to fifteen dollars a ton. The small building on the left is the Post Office. Next to that was the office of J.B. Rourke, Justice of the Peace. The taller building was a drug store owned by W. E. Mansfield. This is the intersection of Main Street and 1^st Avenue. The two story brick building was a large general store owned by the Strain Brothers. North of Strain Brothers was John and Peter Eher’s meat market. The original Jacobson Hardware was a few doors down the street and at the end of the street is the Great Northern passenger depot.