Fargo (N.D.) Department of Parks and Recreation Records
Collection
Identifier: Mss 3042
Scope and Contents
The Proceedings Series consists of the original meeting minutes of the Fargo Board of Park Commissioners and spans from 1910 to 1962. The ones to June 1962 are recorded in 8 bound volumes and beginning with Sept 12, 1939 they are printed. The meeting minutes give a good, detailed account about the operation of the park commissioners. Also included are four files of notes and extracts from various meetings spanning from 1910 to 1939.
The Ordinances Series consists of two ledgers “District of the City of Fargo Ordinances Passed by the Board of Park Commission of the Park”. The first ledger consists of handwritten data on Ordinances 1-29 from 1911 to 1933. Each also include ‘Affidate of Publication”. The second ledger consists of clippings from the local newspaper and other forms related to the ordinances. It begins with Ordinance 2 in 1911 to 1951. It also includes a number of correspondences.
The Financial Records Series includes 8 ledgers related to many financial aspects of the Fargo Park District. The two initial general ledgers cover from 1911 to 1943. The other ledgers include a register listing of bonds and coupons; the ‘Brief Book’ consists of historic financial records covering 1910-1950; there are two ‘Time Books’ of employee workers financial data covering 1958-1965; and ‘Attendance Statistics’ with financial related data for 1964-1969. The last six files consist of miscellaneous financial related documents and are related to bonds, taxes, receipts, and some financial estimates.
The Scrapbooks Series consists of extensive documentary scrapbooks related to actions, events and park district sites. They cover from 1951 to 1983 and all consist almost entirely of newspaper clippings. There are also Media Tracking files, originally housed in binders, covering the years 1998-2010.
The Fargo Street Maps Series consists of three ledgers with very detailed street maps of Fargo. The initial ledger is undated but likely the oldest one. Two others have dates in them of 1995 and 2000. The ‘Aerial’ ledger is blue color printed aerial images of Fargo that show residential areas and parks.
The Recreation Program Brochures Series is brochures issued by Fargo Parks and Recreation that promotes numerous events and information about the many Fargo parks. They also include many visual images taken at parks and of events. The brochures were issued several times each year usually covering two seasons. The brochures collection are from 1955 to 2010, but there are none for 1957-1975.
The Projects & Park Sites Series brings together quite extensive files related to specific park district projects and sites. The most extensive ones include Civilian Conservation Corps, Edgewood Golf Course, Island Park Swimming Pool, and Manning Memorial Shelter.
The Publications Series brings together numerous publications most of which are directly related to the Park District. They are organized alphabetically by the title given on the items. The last two files of general publications include various pamphlets, brochures and newsletter items that are park related but some were published by other local organizations.
The Legal Series consists of documents related to court and legal issues of the Park District. The most extensive files are the Gust Steen vs. Park District court case and the Sarah Manning Trust.
The Correspondence Series includes 14 primarily incoming correspondence to the park board. They are from 1925-1932 and 1988-2006.
The Subject Files Series consists of various documents related to events, actions and specific locations of the Park District. The historical chronologies includes a handwritten listing by date of events and actions taken by the park district. There is also a file of four visual images related to park sites.
The Ordinances Series consists of two ledgers “District of the City of Fargo Ordinances Passed by the Board of Park Commission of the Park”. The first ledger consists of handwritten data on Ordinances 1-29 from 1911 to 1933. Each also include ‘Affidate of Publication”. The second ledger consists of clippings from the local newspaper and other forms related to the ordinances. It begins with Ordinance 2 in 1911 to 1951. It also includes a number of correspondences.
The Financial Records Series includes 8 ledgers related to many financial aspects of the Fargo Park District. The two initial general ledgers cover from 1911 to 1943. The other ledgers include a register listing of bonds and coupons; the ‘Brief Book’ consists of historic financial records covering 1910-1950; there are two ‘Time Books’ of employee workers financial data covering 1958-1965; and ‘Attendance Statistics’ with financial related data for 1964-1969. The last six files consist of miscellaneous financial related documents and are related to bonds, taxes, receipts, and some financial estimates.
The Scrapbooks Series consists of extensive documentary scrapbooks related to actions, events and park district sites. They cover from 1951 to 1983 and all consist almost entirely of newspaper clippings. There are also Media Tracking files, originally housed in binders, covering the years 1998-2010.
The Fargo Street Maps Series consists of three ledgers with very detailed street maps of Fargo. The initial ledger is undated but likely the oldest one. Two others have dates in them of 1995 and 2000. The ‘Aerial’ ledger is blue color printed aerial images of Fargo that show residential areas and parks.
The Recreation Program Brochures Series is brochures issued by Fargo Parks and Recreation that promotes numerous events and information about the many Fargo parks. They also include many visual images taken at parks and of events. The brochures were issued several times each year usually covering two seasons. The brochures collection are from 1955 to 2010, but there are none for 1957-1975.
The Projects & Park Sites Series brings together quite extensive files related to specific park district projects and sites. The most extensive ones include Civilian Conservation Corps, Edgewood Golf Course, Island Park Swimming Pool, and Manning Memorial Shelter.
The Publications Series brings together numerous publications most of which are directly related to the Park District. They are organized alphabetically by the title given on the items. The last two files of general publications include various pamphlets, brochures and newsletter items that are park related but some were published by other local organizations.
The Legal Series consists of documents related to court and legal issues of the Park District. The most extensive files are the Gust Steen vs. Park District court case and the Sarah Manning Trust.
The Correspondence Series includes 14 primarily incoming correspondence to the park board. They are from 1925-1932 and 1988-2006.
The Subject Files Series consists of various documents related to events, actions and specific locations of the Park District. The historical chronologies includes a handwritten listing by date of events and actions taken by the park district. There is also a file of four visual images related to park sites.
Dates
- 1910-2010
Access
The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.
Copyrights
Copyright is held by the State of North Dakota.
History
The Fargo Department of Parks and Recreation was established in 1910. The first board members were elected October 11, 1910 and the first board meeting was held on November 1, 1910. The Fargo Park District started with only one park which was Island Park. Fargo’s population at the time was 14,000.
Extent
28.5 Linear Feet (28.5 linear feet.)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Records of the Fargo Department of Parks and Recreation Department, which was established in 1910. Collection consists of the following series: Proceedings, Ordinances, Financial Records, Scrapbooks, Fargo Street Maps, Recreation Program Brochures, Projects & Park Sites, Publications, Legal Series, Correspondence, and Subject Files.
Provenance
Deposited by Fargo Park District, 2018 (Acc. 2018-006.)
Separation Record
Photograph and maps (unprocessed) - Acc. 2018-006
Property rights
The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
- Title
- Finding Aid to the Fargo (N.D.). Department of Parks and Recreation
- 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