Oakes, N.D., Community Surveys

Collection

Identifier: Mss 265

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Questionnaire reports (1924) compiled on Oakes, N.D., community in Dickey County, in connection with the Institute of Social and Religious Research's series entitled American village studies; together with follow-up studies (1930, 1936) by Lynn Smith and J.A. McCrae, University of North Dakota. Includes detailed statistical and descriptive information relating to the population, social groups, agriculture, banking, health, library, civic and social life, churches, and schools.

Dates

1924-1936.

Creator

Smith, Lynn, of Grand Forks, N.D. (Person)

Access

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

Copyrights

Copyrights to this collection are held by the NDSU Archives.

History

Oakes is located in Dickey County, North Dakota in the southeastern portion of the state. It was platted in 1886. The original plans included seventeen blocks with very wide streets to accommodate stagecoach and wagon traffic. The first auction of town lots was in October of that year. By the middle of October, fourteen buildings had been started. Oakes was an important stagecoach stop. A relay station was located at the crossing of Bear Creek. This was sometimes an overnight stop, so there were accommodations for guests, although it was very rustic. There was quite a bit of excitement in 1887 when a horse bolted into the crowd during the Fourth of July horserace. One man was injured. The town was incorporated in 1888 and became an important railroad depot. It was named for Thomas F. Oakes, president of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The town eventually boasted three hotels including the Vinkle House, a three-story edifice built at a cost of $10,000. The town built board sidewalks so citizens would not have to jump over mud holes. Area agriculture includes corn, wheat, soybeans, potatoes, beef, dairy, buffalo, and honey.