7 Historical Buildings in Grand Forks County

Jan 25, 2021

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.

Historic Downtown Grand Forks

Historic buildings in 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 Buick 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.