Wachter School expands, adding three rooms and a gymnasium
State capitol is consumed by fire on December 28, started by spontaneous combustion from a collection of rags covered with turpentine and varnish
J.C. Penney builds a new store
1931
World War Memorial Building is dedicated on January 9th. The joint city-county community center was approved in 1929. The Art Deco-style building deployed the most modern construction techniques of the time. It contained the largest convention center in the state upon opening.
First commercial airplane lands in Bismarck
State-owned streetcar line is disestablished in the aftermath of the Capitol’s destruction (February 28)
New Burleigh County Courthouse is dedicated at 6th and Broadway on land donated by Dr. Quain.
Northwest Airways (later Norwest Airlines, now part of Delta) establishes Bismarck service. It is the longest-service airline for Bismarck, and even the sole airline provider for many years.
1932
Voters overwhelmingly defeat Jamestown’s attempt to procure the capital, keeping it in Bismarck.
Ground is broken for new state capitol on August 13.
Elk’s Swimming Pool is constructed, Bismarck’s first swimming pool.
Voters legalize the sale and manufacture of beer in September. It was the first time alcohol could legally be sold since North Dakota was admitted as a dry state in 1889, which carried over into the nationwide Prohibition beginning in 1920.
1934
New State Capitol completes construction (occupied January 1935)
Piggly Wiggly opens in Bismarck (becomes SuperValu in 1949)
Speed limits implemented for first time in Bismarck, but only on certain streets – Main Avenue listed at 25 MPH between 9th & Washington Streets and range between 30 & 40 MPH between 12th & 26th Streets
First traffic signal is installed at 9th Street & Main Avenue
