Fargo (N.D.) Police Department Photograph Collection
Collection
Identifier: Photo 2133-Oversize 20
Scope and Contents
The Fargo (N.D.) Police Department photograph collection documents the department’s law enforcement personal and activities. It has been divided into two series, the Individuals, Groups and Composites Series, and the Events Series.
The Individuals, Groups and Composites Series, is mostly made up of group photographs and composites of the police department and staff, thirteen of which were oversize and originally framed. These oversize items were removed from the frames and digitized. All of which can be found on Digital Horizons. The majority of these photographs are identified group or composite photographs dating from between 1883 and 1998. One of the framed photographs from 1925, had adhered to the glass, and no attempt was made to remove the image. Also of significance is also a charcoal drawing of Louis Dahlgren in his police uniform from about 1895.
The Events Series, shows various Fargo related events that police were involved in. Of interest is a series of snapshots taken after the 1957 Fargo tornado showing various scenes of destruction. Also in this series are of floods from 1954 and 1969. There are several files showing police involvement in community activities, such as the D.A.R.E. program, National Night Out, and community picnics.
Dates
- 1883-2002
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
Copyrights to this collection remain with the NDSU Archives.
History
In the early years of Fargo’s history, law enforcement was handled by the U.S. Army based at Fort Abercrombie. Shortly after the railroad crossed the Red River in 1872, people started to settle along the west side of the river, and along with the people came crime. At the first meeting of the Cass County Commission, on October 27, 1873, John E. Haggart was named the first Sheriff of Cass County. On January 5, 1875, Fargo was incorporated as a city, and John Haggart was elected as Town Marshall of Fargo. This was the beginning of the Fargo Police Department. A simple wood plank jail was built in the 300 block of 1st Avenue S., and the city purchased a set of ball and chains for prisoners for $8.
In 1881, the name of the head of the department was changed from Marshall to Chief of Police. At the time the department consisted of ten men. Early revenue was derived from the licensing of liquor and gambling establishments. In 1882, the first uniforms were issued. The police department was housed in the City Hall located on the corner of N.P. Avenue and Roberts Street. The first City Hall built in 1882, was destroyed in the Great Fargo Fire of 1893. After the fire the police headquarters was located at 625 N. P. Avenue, until 1905 when a new City Hall was constructed on the same location as the previous facility. This building would serve as police headquarters for the next 55 years.
In December 1898, Martin Flanigan was appointed the first detective. In 1910 a car was hired to enforce speed laws, and in 1915, the first department owned squad car was purchased. The first policewoman was hired in 1913. In 1935 a radio system was installed, and in 1947 a two-way radio system replace the much limited previous system.
As a result of urban renewal, a new Fargo City Hall complex was constructed at 200 3rd Street N., and the department moved to this facility in 1960. The police headquarters remained at this location until it ran out of space. The department moved to 222 4th Street N. in 1994, where it remains today. As of 2016, the Fargo Police Department has a staff level of 165 sworn officers, and 20 non-sworn personnel.
Extent
590 Photographic Prints (590 photographic prints.)
Language of Materials
English
Provenance
Donated by Fargo Police Department, 2016, (Acc. 2016-001irs).
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Fargo (N.D.) Police Department Photograph Collection
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository
Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States
ndsu.archives@ndsu.edu