The construction of the railroad may be the single most significant factor in the history of Minot. Minot is known as "the Magic City" because of the rapid growth following the construction of the railroad through the Souris River Valley. The train was a brilliant way to transport goods, people, and livestock quickly across large distances. It was also an excellent mode of transportation for alcohol. This passenger depot was constructed in 1912 as a part of the Sault Ste. Marie, or "Soo," line. By 1926, it had become evident to law enforcement that this railroad stop was being freely used to illegally transport alcohol across state and Canadian borders. But even though it was a widely committed, and widely known, offense, both local and federal agents of the law simply did not have the resources to stop the transports completely.
This structure was built in 1924 to replace the first bank building, which had burned down in 1923. While the federal government lost an estimated 11 million dollars in potential revenue because of Prohibition, this bank flourished. Not from alcohol, but from cows. The growth of the dairy cattle business throughout the Great Plains region in the 1920s led to this bank being lovingly nicknamed "The Cow Bank." Although bank robbery became a common occurrence throughout prohibition, this bank was never robbed. Not to our knowledge, that is.
Remaining almost entirely in its original appearance, this 1915 courthouse was the site of most of the trials relating to Prohibition violations in North Dakota.Prohibition was not a federal mandate until 1919, but North Dakota had a state ban in place on alcohol manufacture, sale, and transport since the adoption of the original state constitution. Despite this, the judges who oversaw this court adjudicated liquor law violations frequently.For its significance to both local and national history, this classical revival building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1980.
Records suggest that this historic Minot building was constructed between 1900 and 1903, and in 1909, the new downtown building was the location of the 1909 arrest of Minot native Mr. Frank Murray. Murray was apprehended for violation of Prohibition laws by selling alcohol on the ground floor. The exact circumstances are unknown, but Murray's operation was small and hardly even made the news. The significance of this arrest is in revealing how the sale and procurement of alcohol was a part of the everyday routine for many Minot residents, a contrast from popular images of Prohibition-era images of alcohol being connected to speakeasies, flappers, underground lounges, and gang activity. While purchasing alcohol was illegal since the beginning of North Dakota's statehood, it was also incredibly commonplace.
The original building on this lot was constructed in 1905, and was the grandest hotel in Minot at the time. It was one of the first permanent structures that followed the construction of the railroad. In October of 1912, it was also the site of a massive bust of a popular speakeasy. 30 men were caught violating Prohibition laws at once in the basement, and were arrested by two of the deputy sheriffs. Speakeasies, or "blind-pigs," were the worst kept secrets in Minot. Although they were operated largely in the open, it was difficult for law enforcement officials to catch proprietors in the act of actually breaking any laws. The bust at the Waverly highlights one of the very few occasions in which a major liquor operation was terminated in Minot.
This 911 Neo-Classical building was donated by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. It was one of several public facilities funded by Carnegie in North Dakota. The building represents both the decline of the Gilded Age and the rise of the Progressive Movement in America, the same movement that would produce federal Prohibition. This facility was home to the Minot Public Library until the current location was built on 2nd Avenue, Southwest. The exterior remains unchanged from its construction, and the space is still maintained today as a low-cost event rental to the public.
Cottage-like in appearance, this building was constructed in 1929 as a 'domestic' style gas station and garage. The Westland Oil Filling Station served Minot motorists and travelers until being converted into a brewery, which opened in 2018. The undercarriage service spaces are still visible beneath the glass sections off the floor. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. This place, which likely may have acted as a place of business to countless alcohol smugglers during the years of Prohibition, now primarily exists as a place to provide its patrons with locally crafted, perfectly legal, brews.
This Tour is a Walking Tour.
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As participants walk through the historic districts of downtown Minot, they will learn about the impact of Prohibition on Minot history. See for yourself how that history has shaped the physical layout as well as the cultural identity of the city. This tour is designed for history lovers of all ages.
