45 Years Ago in the Newspaper

Thursday May 3, 1973 -- 45 years ago --  Headlines – The Minot City Council proposed a pay plan that recognizes merit and longevity ….. Spring Activities ….. Kmart was advertising flowers, bedding plants, trees and bushes …. Big Bear was advertising fishing and camping equipment for the season opening. They were staying open until midnight for the shoppers to get ready for opening day…. Jerry Iverson, at that time a teacher at Minot High was named the outstanding member of the North Dakota Vocational Agriculture Association – he would later go on to manage the ND State Fair ….. Empire Theater showing the Valachi Papers …. The Torchlight was featuring Dennis and Cree….

KG Men's Store

KG Men’s Store – In December of 1960 there were a number of stores where a man could purchase a suit. These included Greengard Cranston, Schneider’s Men’s Store, Jay’s, Squtt’s, and KG Men’s Store. All of these were in Downtown Minot as no shopping centers were built in the city at this time. KG’s Men’s Store was running a year end Suit Sale…. Over 900 suits reduced with prices starting as $29.00 up to $79.00. The famous Kuppenheimer brand of suits were also on sale as were topcoats and sport coats. Because of the huge price reductions there was a small charge for any alterations which normally were free. When Town & Country Shopping Center opened KG’s Men’s Store would move to that location

Teen Club - The Garage

The Garage – A former automotive service center, The Garage strictly catered to youth ages 14 to 20. The garage was located ½ block north of what is now Central Campus. The building at the was owned by two Minot businessmen. It was a great hangout for high school students. Many were smokers and The Garage did not discourage smoking as long as the cigarettes were not extinguished on the floor. Many students, however, complained that it was too smokey and thought it should not be allowed. On the weekends, The Garage featured dances with the band on a raised platform and psychedelic lighting.

Coffee Shop - The Bridge

The Bridge – in the summer of 1972, The Bridge, a coffeehouse,  was located at 119 West Central Avenue. The coffeehouse was open on Friday and Saturday from 8 pm to 1 am. It was a non-profit entity that catered to young people in the 18 to 25 year old bracket. The Bridge rented their location from the Sons of Norway organization. Two firm policies of The Bridge were no drugs and no alcoholic beverages. In actuality the clientele ranged from young teenagers to an occasional Middle aged Sons of Norway member.

Original Y's Men's Rodeo??

1967 – North Dakota Sate Championship Rodeo (eventually became the Y’s Men’s Rodeo – held indoors at the Minot City Auditorium –the rodeo performances on Friday, Saturday and Sunday highlighted Western Week in the Magic City…… Holiday Shower of Stars – December 29, 1964 – Stars included Chad & Jeremy (just back from England) – Bobby Goldsboro – Ronnie Cochrane – Tickets - $2.50 at the door -- $2.00 in advance … At the Municipal Auditorium …… Gene Pitney Show & Dance – January 15, 1965 at the Minot Civic Auditorium --

1970's Entertainment

Entertainment – 1970’s – Dolly Parton – on Sunday, July 30, 1978 – KCJB welcomed everyone to the Dolly Parton concert at the Municipal Auditorium .. Dolly was on her way to Regina for the Buffalo Days Exhibition …. Kenny Rogers and Roy Clark – Headliners at the 1978 State Fair  -- Grand Ole Opry – August 17, 1967 – Headliners were Ferlin Husky, Hank Snow and Waylon Jennings …. Tickets - $2.50 in advance -- $3.00 at the door……

Great Northern Bank to 1st National Bank

1^st National Bank -- 1st National Bank was originally known as the Great Northern Bank when it was established in 1897. The building was constructed of brick made in a brickyard just west of Minot. This building stood until it was demolished in 1929 to make room for the new building. The bank was name the Great Northern Bank in honor of Jim Hill who was a close friend of Joseph Roach, one of the founders of the bank. Later the name was changed to the 2^nd national Bank and eventually to the 1^st national Bank. In 1887 the Bank of Minot was formed and eventually became the 1^st National Bank. In the early 1900’s there were two banks chartered under the name of the 1^st National Bank. Both of these failed, hence the name 2^nd National Bank for a period of time. No affiliation with the failed banks was wanted. In the early days, trees were planted in the boulevard to the south of the bank. They grew to be quite tall before they were cut down due to the paving of the streets.

 Great Northern Bank

1st National Bank 1961