Two Favorite Resaurants

Shirley Room Cafeteria – Located in the basement of the Minot Savings & Loan Building…. They claimed to have the lowest prices in Downtown Minot …. One special in 1970 was Soup, sandwich, coleslaw, chips and beverage for on 75 cents…. You could order breakfast and pay between 35 cents to $1.15….. Dinners were 89 cents to $1.20 …. A salad side dish was only 10 cents. ….. King Leo’s – also in 1970 for fast food at low prices --- King Leo’s on South Broadway (now Arby’s) was offering Hamburgers – 20 cents --- Cheeseburgers – 25 cents --- Fries – 20 cents and Milk shakes – 25 cents … a quick meal for 65 cents…… 

Other Ads of Interest – November 1963 –

Minot Federal Savings (Midwest Federal or the Big “M” Building) was new. During normal business hours daily tours were being offered with free refreshments and free brochures …. Arrowhead Shopping Center was advertising the fact that 2^nd Avenue was now paved all the way to the shopping center …. Prices on a local car dealer’s used car lot – 1958 Ford Fairlane - $285.00 .. 1959 Pontiac Catalina - $995.00 .. 1961 Ford Fairlane - $1065.00 …. Vince Lee’s Bottle Shop on 3^rd Street NE was advertising the right wine for any occasion …. Self Service Furniture had a Full size crib and mattress for $29.95 (They were located on South Broadway across from Ryan Chevrolet) …  And White’s Dairy was advertising BEEP – A fruit flavored, dairy processed breakfast drink …. 

Tempo – Christmas Specials 1963 –

 In 1963 Tempo was featuring many toy and Christmas specials in their newspaper ad. Kids tricycles were on sale for $7.79 …. Regular size Christmas lights (replacement bulbs) 5 packages of 5 bulbs for 28 cents …. The Mouse Trap game - $4.22 …. A 34 inch red wagon - $7.47 …. Christmas Tree stand – 81 cents …. A cuddly Teddy Bear - $1.68 …. A basketball, hoop and air pump - $3.68 …. Rummy Royal card game - $1.78 …. Monopoly Game - $2.97 …. Santa was on hand to meet the kids in Santaville located inside the Tempo store. Tempo used the slogan – “Your Store with More at Lowest possible prices.”

1963 S&L ads –

 In November of 1963 S&L Department Store on main street was running the following items in their newspaper ads. Women’s fleece lined snow boots - $3.99 a pair and Women’s high fashion leather boots only $8.95 a pair. The men good purchase a pair of zipper galoshes for $4.99 a pair or a pair of 4 buckle work overshoes for only $5.99 a pair. Women also had the opportunity to purchase holiday print dresses for$5.98 for cotton to $14.95 for wool. In 1963 a woman’s mohair sweater was only $12.95. 

Past Restaurants –

 The Wooden Platter – in the late 1970’s the Wooden Platter was located inside North Hill Bowl – Besides a restaurant menu they also offered to bake pies – especially at the holiday seasons…… The Dog House – this was located one half block south of Town & Country Center --- their specialty was hot dogs and sausages of all types – a regular hot dog was 59 cents --- in a basket it was 99 cents – the basket included the hot dog, fries and coleslaw --- The Dog House also featured homemade chili and fish sandwiches …..  

Memory Notes from a listener #2

-  On First Street,  mid block between Central Avenue and 1^st Avenue was Minot Bowling Lanes (it was upstairs also) owned by Fred George .  Harry's Tire Service was next door.  This Bowling alley at one time had human pin setters, they used to hire high school kids to do it.  (The people who ran the Bowling Alley lived in an apartment on the top floor of the building. Not sure when it closed but then in the mid-60's it was a place to take your slot car as it had a big track for racing slot cars. 

Also, just west of Woolworths on Central Avenue was the Singer Store and a Drug Store and I don't remember the name of that one. (There was also a women’s hat shop,( Dottie’s Hat Shop) on the same block of Central Avenue, between 1^st Street Southwest and Main St.)

Memories of a Minot Resident #1 -

 Carl's Music Shop was at one time The Minot Accordion Shop and it was located where I Keating was.  He sold Accordions and Guitars mainly and also gave music lessons for the accordion.  (In the mid sixties, Carls Music Shop was located in the Flat Iron Building on Central Avenue).

 On the East side of First Street there was B&B Drug with a cafeteria below it and it had the most luscious carmel rolls in the morning!!  On street side, one door down and up the stairs was the Minot Business College.  In the mid-60's Minot Business College moved up on South Hill to what used to be a convent.  Not sure when it closed. It was owned by Lloyd Hansen. (This is now Apartments at the intersection of 3^rd Street and 14^th Avenue SE…. By Rosehill Cemetery).

Mitchell’s Hardware -

 Mitchell’s Hardware was on the corner of Central Avenue and 3^rd Street South East, where Val’s Cyclery is now  located. Prior to Mitchell’s this locations was the home for Oppen’s Grocery Store. Oppen’s had a lunch counter or cafeteria in the store. I believe this was known as the Central Avenue Café. For a while Mitchell’s Hardware also maintained the Central Avenue Café even though it was a hardware store.  One of Mitchell Hardware’s claim to fame was a talking Myna bird named Mack.  Mack had the reputation of uttering four letter words, especially the s--- word, so many younger shoppers were not allowed to hang out around him. After Mitchell’s and before Val’s Cyclery, this location was the home of Ben’s Appliances.

1971 Medical Scam

 1971 Cigarette Rumor – Trinity Hospital was the recipient of over 25,000 empty cigarette packages from all over the state. Many believed the rumors that cigarette companies would redeem the empty packs for items such as seeing eye dogs, wheel chairs and other medical supplies. Over 10,000 empty cigarette packs came from the Westhope School District.  Unfortunately there was no truth to the rumor. Trinity thanked all those who tried to help the cause. The empty cigarette packs ended up in the Minot landfill.  

Mr. Taco

-  Mr Taco was on South Broadway where The Adult Bookstore (Risque’s) is now located. Mr. Taco  was owned by Sam Butts or Taco Sam as many called him. I may be wrong, but I believe the Taco Shop had the first, only and best tacos in Minot at the time, in the late 60’s. Mr. Taco also was the first shop to sell Grinders... Similar to a sub sandwich. Next door to Mr. Taco's  was another South Broadway “landmark”. Bennie’s Magic Mile Market  or as many referred to it … the Bubble Up Store. Bennie’s was just one of many neighborhood grocery stores in Minot at one time. Bennie’s Store is now and oil change shop. I believe B&D Market in northeast Minot is an off spring of Bennie’s on South Broadway.

Past Business --

 Maid For A Day – In 1972, two men, Arnie Merkel and Julius Jahr started a new business called Maid For a Day. The new company would provide cleaning af various types on an hourly, daily, weekly or monthly basis. Maid For A Day would clean windows, walls, carpets and floors and even do minor household repair…. Schriok’s Lawn & Trail – located on the 2& 52 Bypass at 10^th St. SW. (now the home of iHeartmedia) – John Deere dealer …… The Grog Shop -- $the Avenue & Valley Street (Burdick Expressway at the west end of the viaduct)—Bottle Shop……. Fireside Lounge – inside the Sandman Hotel ( at the West Bypass and 4^th Ave.) ….. Pizza Plus (formerly Our Place) – at South Broadway and the Bypass – Pizza and sandwich shop ….. 

 Pizza Plus - 1977

From a Basement to A New City Hall

Minot’s First City Hall --  The first building to serve as City Hall for Minot was the home to the Police Dept in the basement, the Fire Dept. on the main floor and dormitory above, the jail, magistrate’s office and the City Manager office and staff also on the main floor. It was built in 1905 and was located mid block between Main St. and 1^st St SW. (or next to the Alley behind the Montgomery Ward building – across the street from the 1^st Avenue Building). In the early 1900’s, this was quite literally the center of Minot. DA Dinnie was awarded the bid for construction for the price of $11,171.00. The new building was to be the best facility of its kind in the country for cities the size of Minot. However the Minot Aldermen were so disenchanted with the finished result they refused to occupy it as they claimed it had not been built to specifications. About 6 months later they resolved the conflict and moved in. 

Minot Steam Plant –

 The Minot Steam Plant was located west of what is now the Cenex Store on Central Avenue. It was by the old Kedney warehouse which has also been demolished. The Steam Plant provided heat to most of, if not all of Downtown Minot. The steam ran through pipes in a series of tunnels throughout the downtown area. In addition to the steam tunnels, many downtown businesses also had freight elevators on the sidewalks in front of the store. This open basement concept under the sidewalk had a tendency to heat the sidewalk a bit in the winter… helped snow removal. I have been told that at times the snow in downtown Minot was covered in ash from the smoke stacks of the Stream Plant

Minot – Other Nicknames --

 In 1907, Dr, Gideon Powell, pastor of the Methodist Church in Minot, was in dispute with the mayor of Minot. In those days Minot was considered a “wide open” town with a reputation for vice. From the pulpit he proclaimed, “Make me the Mayor of Minot and I will make the city “The Vestibule of Heaven” in 30 days. The Towner newspaper disagreed and stated that Minot was not as wicked as made out. You really wouldn’t know there were any bad people in Minot unless you went looking for them. In 1915 some thought Minot should be nicknamed “the City of Realization” … followed by “The Wonder City”. And then about 1919-1920 some thought “The Park City’ would be appropriate because of the number of parks. None of these lasted very long so The Magic City nickname remained.

Information supplied by Susan Gessner

The “Magicians Nickname” --

 Before 1908 a baseball team existed in Minot but it had no nickname, (“Mouse Riverites” did not catch on). In 1908 team organizers wanted to utilize the “Magic City” nickname by naming the team “The Magic City Base Ball Team”. This eventually was shortened to “Magic City Team” then to “Minot Team” or “Minot Boys” and then “Minot Regulars”. However, in 1909 the team became known as the “Magicians”. This name was used through the 1928 season. The Magician name had broad appeal. In 1916 the Minot Normal School, (now Minot State University), used the nickname for its sports teams and also for its yearbook. The high school deferred to the Normal School until the summer of 1925 when students at the Normal School (MSU) chose the beaver as their mascot. The yearbook was also title The Beaver. After that the “Magician” name was claimed by the high school. Eventually the names “Magi” and “Majettes” would be developed from the Magicians nickname. ..... As researched by Susan Gessner

Minot Nickname Officially Used –

The first major event to use the nickname was “The Magic City Harvest Festival” in 1908. This was sponsored by the Minot Commercial Club, (the forerunner of the Chamber of Commerce.) The event was held on September 28^th and 29^th on Main Street. It featured a large banner across Main Street titled “Welcome to the Magic City” and subtitled “The Pride of the Northwest”. When asked about using the name “Magic City”, the response in the Minot Daily Reporter was as follows: “While growth in Minot did not show “mushroom growth”, if one looks at the list of improvements attained in the city you would see the growth that has been going on for the last few years is substantial and geared towards the future.

As researched by Susan Gessner

Harvest Festival 1908

“The Magic City” nickname is Adopted

“The Magic City” nickname is Adopted harsh and Minot did suffer from a shortage on coal. Rumors spread the North Dakota, (especially the area around Minot), was starved, frozen and almost wiped off the face of the earth. Local businessmen realized these stories were damaging and prevented hundreds of people from coming to the state. The Minneapolis Tribune sent a reported to Minot. He quickly realized that the rumors were just that. They promised the state and Minot a full page at no charge to respond to the stories. Some of the local articles, stories and ads by Frank E Graves used the nickname “Minot – The Magic City”. This was in early 1907 and seems to have solidified the nickname for Minot

As Researched by Susan Gessner

Minot Nicknames – Early -

Minot Nicknames – Early  - As researched and provided by Susan Gessner

Minot may have had its Magic City nickname early but it was short lived if at all.. Minot Started in 1886 and by October 1887 the population had grown to about 1500. Because of disease, drought and depression the population dropped to 575 by the 1800 census and back to 1277 by the 1900 census. A variety of nicknames were found in the early 1900’s. “City on the Mouse” and “Metropolis on the Mouse”,  due to its location next to the river…. “The Town of Bones” because of the buffalo bone trade and “The Sodom and Gomorrah of the West” due to the wide open lawless nature of the town. Other names included “The City of Destiny” and “The City of the Hills” and at one time “The Gem City”. The earliest reference to “The Magic City” seems to have originated in 1906 and by 1907 the name seemed to be established. 

Minot Eagles Club --  In April of 1972 the new Minot Eagles Club was dedicated and opened to members. The club was located at the intersection  of 2^nd Avenue and 16^th St. SW, across from Arrowhead Shopping Center. In less than a year, the Eagles membership had grown from 1800 to over 3200. The Minot Eagles Club was organized in 1942 and the new home was the fourth location. Prior to this opening the club was located at 110 1^st Street SE, later the home of the Chicago Club. The new club was about 17,500 square feet and built at a cost of $483, 365.00….

Eagles Club - Downtown Minot 1961

Eagles Club by Arrowhead Shopping Center - 1985

One More Story about High Third

Henry’s Pool Hall – bands would play on the weekends. One long time resident of Third Street told me that when the bands would play on a busy weekend night the horn players would have handkerchiefs in their hands to hold on to the instruments. My source said the horns would get so hot that you could not touch them. Also the windows of the Parrot Inn on many a Sunday morning would be all boarded up due to fights. The windows would all be blown out the night before.