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Grand Forks, North Dakota, is a growing community that started out as just a small trading post back in 1881. Since then, the county has gone through many changes, but that doesn't mean we don't appreciate our history. If you're looking to gain more knowledge about the area's past, check out these top seven historical buildings in Grand Forks County that those of us here at Rydell Chevrolet believe are worth a visit. more Historic Downtown Grand Forks Image via Flickr by Ross Griff Downtown Grand Forks is located in the center of Grand Forks County. It's home to many of the county's historical buildings, including some on this list, and when you find yourself here in the center of it all, you'll surely be in awe. This 80.4-acre space was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005, and you'll find lots of historical buildings that are now stores, bars, and restaurants. A farmers market, where locals gather to purchase locally sourced food and other goods, is held every Saturday. You'll find the Metropolitan Opera House, the Central High School, and the Grand Forks Herald located within the downtown area. While new buildings are being added to the site, the historical beauty remains and is a real treat for those interested in our county's story. Grand Forks County Courthouse Construction of the Grand Forks County Courthouse was started in 1913 by architects Buechner and Orth, and the limestone building was completed the following year. It's the largest and most expensive courthouse in North Dakota and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980. Views from the grounds are perfect for photographs. While visiting, you can also check out the statue of Grand Forks' founder, Alexander Griggs. The Stratford Building Located at 311 Demers Ave., the Stratford Building is an integral part of Grand Forks County history. It was built in 1913 as a reconstruction of the Masonic Temple that was originally built in 1902 but partially burned down in 1912. Original portions of the 1902 building are preserved on the first floor. The Stratford Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The Grand Forks County Historical Society Next on our list is the Grand Forks County Historical Society. Located at 2405 Belmont Road in Grand Forks, the Historical Society dedicates its time to preserving Grand Forks County's history for future generations. The grounds include the Myra Museum, the old log cabin Post Office, the Thomas Campbell house, the Lustron House, the Carriage House, and an old one-room schoolhouse. Each of the spaces located on the grounds add significant historical value to the county. The Thomas Campbell house is a spacious log cabin that was built in 1879 by Campbell himself with help from Almira Campbell. You'll also find the Lustron House, which is a simple one-story home built in 1950. After the flood of 1997, the house was restored and is used to showcase the first prefab home. The one-room schoolhouse was built in 1917 and, in 1981, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, you can find old school books, a coal-burning stove, desks, and maps. The Carriage House was added to the grounds in 1986 and features historical examples of different modes of transportation. These include a red and black cutter sleigh, a 1929 Ford Model A, and an 1880s surrey, a type of carriage owned by wealthier residents of the area. The grounds are open for tours from May 15 until September 15 from 1 to 5 p.m. During the summer, a band plays in the pavilion. Admission is $8 for those over the age of 16 and $5 for anyone aged 10 to 15. Those under the age of 10 are free with a paid adult. The North Dakota Museum of Art History speaks through art, and with that, you don't want to miss the North Dakota Museum of Art. Since its beginning in the mid-1970s, the museum's displays have grown tremendously. The building is actually a transformed gymnasium with 30-foot ceilings, a maple floor, and 16,000 square feet of space. It was designed by Harvey Hoshour, a New Mexico architect, and contains a gift shop, video information room, coat room, and three exhibition galleries. Two of the galleries are located downstairs with a skylight above that runs the length of the building. The remaining gallery is located upstairs in a loft space. Both the building and its contents are a must-see thanks to plenty of natural light and historical significance. Saint Michael's Church Another beautiful historical building in the Grand Forks area is Saint Michael's Church. Construction of this church began in 1908 and was completed the following year. The Romanesque building was designed by the Hancock Bros. and built by E.C. Richmond. Located at 524 N. 5th St., the exterior consists of red brick and beautiful bronze bell towers topped with copulas, characteristic of European Alpine regions. Once you enter through the large oak doors, you'll find the sanctuary. This area has domes with paintings above the altar. The minor details become larger the closer you get and will leave you feeling inspired. The church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988. Grand Forks Mercantile Company Building Since its construction in 1893, the Grand Forks Mercantile Company Building has been a highlight in local history. It was designed using both Early Commercial and Italianate architecture and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1982. The building can be found at 124 N. 3rd St. in Downtown Grand Forks. Contact Rydell Chevrolet GMC in Grand Forks We hope you get to check out one of these significant historical buildings that made our list for your next history-filled day. If you can think of any other places or buildings in Grand Forks County that we should know about, send us a message or stop in to talk with us about it. At Rydell Chevrolet, we love learning about the historical buildings that make our area unique.

There are only a couple of known waterfalls in North Dakota, but there are some others not too far away that you can visit. If you're up for a long day trip, or even an overnight getaway, there are even more waterfalls to explore only a few hours away. Check out some of our favorite spots at Rydell Chevrolet GMC. more Turtle River State Park Image via Flickr by James St. John Located west of Grand Forks and about 8 miles from Larimore, there's an easy walking trail in Turtle River State Park that will take you right to a waterfall. While it's not a huge waterfall, Turtle River State Park still makes for a great outing. The trail is short, under 3/4 of a mile. It loops around, so you'll end right where you start — no worries about getting lost. The waterfalls here were constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) back in the 1930s.  Fisher Loop is the trail you want to locate for the waterfall. The trail begins at the CCC Shelter. Start walking from here, and you'll be at the small waterfall in no time. To get back, follow the trail as it goes beyond the waterfall, across the river, and then into the wooded area. If you keep walking, you'll eventually find yourself right back at the CCC Shelter again. Overall, there are over 10 miles of trails at Turtle River State Park. The park also features year-round activities such as camping, cross-country skiing, sledding, mountain biking, and more. Mineral Springs Waterfall Mineral Springs is North Dakota's only registered natural waterfall. It's located in the Sheyenne State Forest, about 2.5 hours drive from Grand Forks. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the trail. The trail is only open to people hiking, on horseback, or riding a bicycle. Once you get on the trail, you'll be hiking for a little over 2 miles before you reach the clearing of the second campsite. Here, you'll see views of the small waterfall as it spills over the cliff. Mineral Springs Waterfall forms from a small underground spring that ultimately flows into the Sheyenne River. While the waterfall isn't on the scale of Niagara Falls, it's still impressive. It's pretty much a permanent waterfall, but it does freeze into ice formations during the winter. Currently, the trail ends at the waterfall, but there are plans to extend it another two or three miles to reach Fort Ransom. Be sure to dress appropriately for a forest hike, which includes bringing bug spray. Hiking in early summer means a greater risk of ticks, so repellent is crucial. Rendezvous Park Located about 1.5 hours from Grand Forks in West Fargo, you can find Rendezvous Park with a small waterfall area that hosts ceremonies and other events. Although the waterfall is manmade, it is still a scenic spot to visit. There's no shortage of things to do at Rendezvous Park either. This includes basketball courts, a soccer field, batting cages, baseball diamonds, a skate park, two disc golf courses, and a sand volleyball court. During the winter months, you'll find an ice rink, cross-country ski trails, a warming house, and more. Rendezvous Park is a great option if you are hiking with someone who has limited mobility or who isn't up for a mile or more walk. Here, they can still escape to nature without a strenuous hike. Winnewissa Falls at Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota About five hours south of Grand Forks, you'll find Winnewissa Falls in Pipestone, Minnesota. Pipestone National Monument is home to the Pipestone quarries, which American Indians used for centuries. The red pipestone found here was used for ceremonial pipes. You'll find a museum, visitor center, gift shop, and seasonal pipestone carving demonstrations. Winnewissa Falls is about a 3/4 mile walk on a paved trail. It's predominantly in the shade along the way, too. If you're up for it, climb up some steps to get to the top of the falls for a great view. Just be careful, as it can be quite slippery. The walk is interesting, as you'll pass through some quarries and tall prairie grass. There are fascinating quartzite rock formations, and trail markers talk about the history of the region. If you can time your visit after a good storm, the falls should be flowing even more than usual. Falls Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota If you're already making a weekend road trip to Winnewissa Falls, just under an hour away from there is Sioux Falls's top attraction: the waterfalls at Falls Park. These waterfalls are right in town — in fact, you can walk to them from downtown. Falls Park is large, covering 123 acres. The waterfalls are an important part of Native American history and have remained a central focal point of the city since it was founded in 1856. As you stroll along the park trails, you'll see permanent sculptures and some of the city's first buildings. There's also a free five-story, 50-foot viewing tower where you can get a gorgeous panoramic view of the park. During the winter months, the waterfalls get a festive look with Christmas-colored lights. Come back in the summer and have a bite to eat at the Falls Overlook Cafe, located in the original Sioux Falls Light and Power Company's building. The building dates back to 1908, was abandoned in the 1970s, and was given to the city of Sioux Falls a few short years later. Minneopa Falls in Mankato, Minnesota Minneopa Falls is almost a six-hour drive headed toward Minneapolis. The trade-off is you get to see one of the biggest waterfalls in the southern part of Minnesota. Minneopa Falls is located at Minneopa State Park. The waterfall overlook is a short walk from the parking lot area. You can cross the bridge between the two drops. The park is divided into two sections, with the falls on the smaller southern side. On the northern side, there are hiking trails, a 19th-century windmill, and a campground. Know of Any Waterfalls We Missed? Are there any other waterfalls closer to Grand Forks that we missed? Which waterfalls are your favorite to take a day trip to or enjoy as part of a weekend overnight adventure? Contact us at Rydell Chevrolet Buick GMC to share your favorites, so we can add them to our list.