Scope and Contents This photograph collection documents the oil industry in western North Dakota in the early 1950s. Most of the photographs apparently were taken by staff of the Fargo Forum, likely for a special edition and series of articles devoted to the oil industry that were published in the newspaper. Most are 8x10 in. prints and have been organized topically. The images feature drilling, pipe laying, rig raising, "shooting" explosives, surveying, clean-up, as well as photographs of housing developments...

Abstract The William P. Sebens Photograph Collection contains a very rich and diverse collection of images taken by Mr. Sebens that were taken across the state of North Dakota on many topics, ranging from farmstead aerials, agriculture, wildlife, prominent landmarks, industrial facilities, the landscape, cities and towns, construction of Garrison Dam, native plants, Theodore Roosevelt National Park, the oil and coal industry and many others.