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Grand Forks, North DakotaGrand Forks, North Dakota, located in the northeastern part of the state, is the 3rd largest city in North Dakota with a estimated population for 2006 of 53,000.Grand Forks got it's name because it is where the Red River and Red Lake River meet. Grand Forks is on the west side of the river. On the other side of the river is the other half of the "Twin City" name East Grand Forks, Minnesota. Also "Grand Cities" is another name given the two cities. Grand Forks is the home of UND (University of North Dakota) and the Grand Forks Air force Base.(located 13 miles west of town.) As like Fargo, the area has been known to be dependent on agriculture, it's now moving more towards higher education, health care, retail and service sector , and some scientific research. The city became more known around the world back in 1997, when what was known as "The Flood of 1997" took place. Today the city has mostly recovered from those terrible days of flooding. We will have more on the flood later. The Early Days Grand Forks is one of the oldest cities in the Dakotas and doesn't owe it's existence to the the arrival of the railroad. Being a steamboat port was much more important. Before being settled by Europeans, the area had been a meeting and trading place for Native Americans. Grand Forks grew rapidly in these early years, growth spurred by many immigrants and Americans from the east coast, the steamboat traffic and the coming of the railroad. The early settlers were farmers, but merchants and other professional people from big cities like Minneapolis followed. In 1883 University of North Dakota was founded. This was a few years before statehood. In 1889 North Dakota became a state, no longer being known as the Dakota Territories. In 1893 The Diamond Milling Company, invented a new breakfast cereal called "Cream of Wheat". Invented by employee Thomas Amidon. To this day Cream of Wheat is loved by many as a great breakfast cereal. The 20Th Century With steady growth and development, the city spread out to the west and south of downtown. In the 20's the state-owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator came to the north side of town. 1954 was the year Grand Forks was chosen to get an air force base. Grand Forks Air force Base has brought thousands of jobs and new residents to the area. The airbase and the university would become the vital pieces of the economy. The arrival of the new Interstate System would revolutionize the way people would travel. Several urban renewal projects tore down sections of the downtown area to make public builds and transportation improvements. New schools, a hospital, and many commercial centers were constructed during this time. The Columbia Mall, found on the north side, was built in 1978 and forever changed the retail operations of the community. The Grand Forks Flood of 1997 At the time it was the largest mass evacuation of a U.S. city. Were talking about the Grand Forks Flood of 1997. It all stared after a record snowfall in the Dakotas. Once the melting began there was no stopping its raging waters. There was flooding up and down the Red River, but nothing to the magnitude of Grand Forks. During the height of the flood a major fire broke out downtown an destroyed 11 buildings in the downtown area. One of the buildings was the Grand Forks Herald, the areas newspaper. Heiress Joan Kroc and McDonald's help the city get back on track. Several neighborhoods had to be demolished to make way for the new dike system being constructed. 2006 is the year for completion of the mammoth project. The land bordering the Red River is known as The Greenway , and is all being developed into a huge park system. More Recent History The city has recover very well since the Flood of 1997.New projects were erected throughout the area, including the Alerus Center,( a concert venue and the home of the UND, Fight Sioux football team). Also built was the Premier Hockey Arena in what might possibly be the world, Ralph Engelstad Arena (home of the UND Fight Sioux Hockey Team) and many commercial projects sprung up though out the area. The city is currently in a growing stage, with new homes, townhouses, and apartment buildings going up throughout the great Grand Forks area. The most commercial growth is taking place in the area of the Ralph Engestad Arena and along 32ND Avenue South commercial corridor. The city is now having issues over whether or not allow a 50 million dollar hotel and entertainment complex, which will be located adjacent to the Alerus Center and also the construction of a proposed tribal casino, attempts to get the downtown area going again, and the impact of the alignment of the Grand Forks Air force Base. City Government The city is made up of a mayor and seven city council people. Each having a 4 year run at their position before having to be voted in again. The political climate here the Grand Forks is not as conservative as elsewhere in the state. This is believed to be happening cause of the presence of the university. Grand Forks Economy Up until the middle of the 20Th century, Grand Forks was dependent upon the agriculture. Now days it is more diversified. Government, and the health care industry dominate the employment of the area. UND is the major employer downtown, while the Grand Forks Air Base employs a good sized number of civilians. The largest private employer is, Altru Health System. Other major employers are, Manufacturing firms- LM Glasfiber and Cirrus Design. Call Centers include, Amazon.com and SEI information technologies. And finally, food producers, J.R. Simplot Company and the state owned North Dakota Mill and Elevator. Many people are employed in the retail sector also. Greater Education Grand Forks Public Schools include, a school district of the Grand Forks Air force Base.7,600 students attend school in the system. There are 12 elementary schools, four middle schools, and two high schools. The system also operates an alternative high school and an adult education program. The state operated, North Dakota School for the Blind, is located here in Grand Forks. The Grand Forks Park District operates 14 neighborhood parks, 28 tennis courts, and a swimming pool. The parks feature playgrounds, baseball diamonds, softball fields, soccer fields, basketball courts, and numerous picnic area. The park also operates 11 outdoor skating rinks in the winter season. Sister CitiesDickinson, North Dakota, USA Sarpsborg, Norway Awano, Japan (defunct) Ishim, Russia (inactive) Points of Interest Alerus Center-- (1200 South 42nd Street) Ralph Engelstad Arena--(UND Campus- "University Village") Chester Fritz Auditorium--(UND Campus--University Avenue and Yale Street) Betty Engelstad Sioux Center--UND Campus- Connected to the "Ralph". Home Page Sign-Up Today for our Newsletter |
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