Bismarck’s oldest brick building, the Gussner Block, is destroyed by fire. The Bismarck Tribune had just relocated into the building the month before.
The original Richholt School is constructed, named for F.H. Richholt
The Bismarck Tribune completes its new headquarters on the northwest block of 4th & Thayer, where it remains until 1980.
February: Edmond Hughes established Eltinge Theater. It later becomes Paramount Theater and Bismarck Theater before closing in 1970. The building was demolished in March 1977 for today’s U.S. Bank building.
J.C. Penney opens Mandan store inside the Hanley building. It is the first national department store chain to open in the region. The company had 297 stores at the time, including a store in Dickinson.
The Liberty Memorial Bridge completes construction and holds a 3-day dedication ceremony beginning September 18 with over 12,000 attendees
Alexander McKenzie passes away (June 22). McKenzie was the influential political boss behind the “McKenzie Machine,” who is often credited with moving the Dakota Territory capital from Yankton to Bismarck.
The Municipal Ball Park is established.
Hoskins is renamed Hoskins-Meyer when Philip Meyer partners with wife Etta and her brother Brooks – children of R.D. Hoskins.
F.W. Woolworth opens at 406 E Main inside a new addition to the City National Bank building. It later expands its footprint within the building before opening a second store at Kirkwood Mall in 1970. The downtown store closes in 1981.
1923
The original Roosevelt School is constructed
Bismarck’s water system ends private ownership and a bond passes public vote to fund a new filtration plant.
Hoskins-Meyer establishes KFYR AM Radio; first public broadcast on February 8th, 1926. The resulting Meyer Broadcasting Company eventually evolves into one of North Dakota’s largest privately-owned businesses.
Old Red Trail is designated U.S. Highway 10. Today, the former highway includes much of Bismarck’s Main Avenue and The Strip.
1926
City National Bank fails in October, in business since 1909.
1927
Will School adds three additional rooms
Bismarck Park Board (now Parks & Rec) officially organized
Hughes Field dedicated in September. Land was gift by Edmond A. Hughes in 1925. Hughes Junior High is later erected immediately to its east, opened in 1959. A Bismarck vs Ashley football game on September 24th was the first event.
1928
Montgomery Ward opens its first Bismarck store. It eventually relocates as one of the original anchors of Kirkwood Mall, opening there on September 23, 1970. The store shutters in 1999, shortly before nationwide liquidation.
Hughes Electric is sold. Its remnants are now part of MDU.
1929
J.C. Penney opens its Bismarck location, upon purchasing store and liquidation inventory from local retailer McCracken. The company previously had a location in Mandan (opened in 1920).
