The Thompson House was a pioneer mansion on the northwest corner of 2nd Street and Thayer Avenue that later housed the Roanoke Hotel, Catholic Diocese, and Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home. The site now later housed Fleck House Moteol and Budget Inn Express.
Charlie Thompson built the mansion sometime in the early-to-mid-1880s. He was awarded the general contract to construct the former Capitol (opened 1885). During its construction, he acquired an eight-light plant from Van Depoele Electric Light Company in 1883 and wired the Capitol for electric light. Thompson secured the first electric franchise in Bismarck, but lost it to Hughes Electric in 1894. He sold the mansion not much after.
At about the turn of the Twentieth Century, Mr. Beardsley opened a drug store in the former Thompson House, as well as operated a boarding house there with his wife. By 1901, Beardsley partnered with Burt Finney in a different drug store enterprise.
It later became the Roanoke Hotel, from about 1905-1910. The Catholic Diocese occupied it from 1911-1941 before relocating to 420 Raymond Street – south of today’s Cathedral. It was popularly known as the “Bishop’s House” or “Bishop’s Mansion” during this time. After that, it fell under Benedictine administration, who repurposed it for Saint Vincent’s Nursing. It served in that capacity until March 1957, demolished soon after.
In 1941, shortly after Vincent Ryan succeeded to Bishop and authorized construction of the Cathedral of the Holy Spirit, the Catholic Diocese relocated to 420 Raymond Street near Washington Street. It was at that time that it became home to Saint Vincent’s Nursing Home until 1957.
Common lore says that a young clerk of the Remington Drug Store hung himself in the attic during Beardsley’s ownership. The rope remained tied around the rafter for some time after and became somewhat of a lure to people wanting a good scare.
An unrelated Thompson House is also noteworthy as a Bismarck home designed by architect Taliesin Associated Architects – founded by Frank Lloyd Wright.
