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Fargo Businesses Photograph Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Photo 2047

Scope and Content

The Fargo Businesses Photograph Collection contains ten photographic prints affixed to cardboard mounts showing business and storefronts. Most are identified on the front or back. They appear to be done by a professional photographer, however they are not identified. The photographs are undated, however they appear to have been taken around 1904-1905 based upon evidence of building construction, and identifiable businesses signs visible in the images.

Dates

  • 1904-1905

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the NDSU Archives.

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are in public domain.

History

After the Fargo Fire of 1893, a push was made by the city to build brick fireproof buildings. The Argus fire anniversary edition stated the following: “No more wooden fire traps in the business district. No more plank sidewalks, no more board shacks. Brick, stone, iron, tile, gravel – noncombustible material only go now. The great fire last June hastened the transition. But it is nonetheless welcome news, though it came in a hurry. The scores of fine fireproof blocks of buildings and elegant tile pavements constructed last year, and still greater number being and to be erected this year, attest to the indomitable energy of our people and their entire confidence in the future of the city, and settles the stability of property values beyond controversy. Fargo is here to stay – strong, solid, enduring – the focus of capital and business for the new northwest, and the busy metropolis of a great state.” The collection encompasses buildings constructed in the post-fire construction, and reflect the optimism of the aforementioned quote.

Extent

10 Photographic Prints

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

Series of photographs showing buildings and busineses in downtown Fargo, N.D. taken around 1904-1905.

Provenance

Donated by Ronald Olin, 1994 (Acc. 2354), and 2006 (Acc. 2787).

Property rights

The NDSU Archives owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the Fargo Businesses Photograph Collection
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States