History of Grand Forks, North Dakota

The recorded history of Grand Forks in the U.S. state of North Dakota, began with the trade between Native Americans and French fur trappers during the 19th century.

In 1800, British fur trader Alexander Henry the younger, an agent for the North West Company of Montreal, located a temporary camp at Les Grandes Fourches and, in 1808, established a permanent post.

They built a temporary shed to live in for the winter and Griggs seemed to have decided that the area would be a good spot for a town.

Growth was spurred by waves of immigrants and Americans from the eastern portion of the country, the steamboat traffic on the river, and the coming of the railroad.

The Hotel Dacotah, the St. John's Block, and the Security Building - all five stories - dominated the community's skyline and were a sign of a growing city.

Several urban renewal projects tore down sections of the downtown area to make way for public buildings and transportation improvements.

The opening of the Columbia Mall on the south side of town in 1978 forever changed the retail scene in the community.

[4] With Fargo upstream from the bulk of the waters, and Winnipeg with its flood control structures, Grand Forks became the hardest hit city in the Red River Valley.

National media attention and a large donation from McDonald's restaurant heiress Joan Kroc helped speed the city's recovery.

Recent issues the city is facing include the Spring 2007 opening of a $50 million Canad Inns hotel and water park complex located adjacent to the Alerus Center, the impact of a realignment at Grand Forks Air Force Base, and economic growth coupled with a low unemployment rate.