1898 Fire

The Fire of 1898 was the most devastating fire seen in Bismarck, wiping out a large portion of the city, including most of its downtown. The total loss was estimated at nearly half a million dollars (in 1898 figures). The...

2008-2009 Winter Season / Blizzard

The Winter Season of 2008-2009 was unquestionably one of the worst winter seasons ever recorded in Bismarck, upon breaking multiple records in both snow totals and temperatures. The Blizzards of 2008 were the largest winter storms since...

A.W. Lucas Company

A.W. Lucas & Company, often shortened to A.W. Lucas or simply Lucas’s, was a local department store in Bismarck for over eighty years. A.W. Lucas was established in 1899 as the result of a partnership between Arthur...

Alexander McKenzie

Alexander McKenzie (1851-1922) was a powerful “political boss” who is widely credited for being the person responsible for moving the capital of Dakota Territory from Yankton to Bismarck in 1883. Nicknamed the “senator maker”, McKenzie’s close connections...

Arrowhead Plaza Shopping Center

Arrowhead Plaza was Bismarck’s first shopping center. Developed by T. Clem Casey, the center officially opened on November 11, 1953. Although small in comparison to other malls in the city, Arrowhead still maintains a strong presence as...

Arthur Van Horn

Arthur Van Horn was a local architect responsible for designing many of Bismarck’s historic buildings. He is perhaps best known for designing the Bell Mehus Auditorium and North Dakota State Penitentiary. Many of Van Horn’s private projects were...

Arthur W Lucas

Arthur W. Lucas was a prominent businessman and congressman, who is best known for cofounding the department store A.W. Lucas & Company. Lucas also served various roles in local politics, including serving as mayor from 1913-1921. Lucas...

Auto-Dine Hamburger Drive-in

Auto-Dine Hamburger was a drive-in restaurant located on the corner of 7th Street & Main Avenue in downtown Bismarck. It was noted for its round building. Perhaps the most popular menu item for Auto-Dine was its Big...

Belle Mehus Auditorium

Belle Mehus Auditorium is an auditorium located in downtown Bismarck, best known as the home of the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra. The auditorium was designed by local resident Arthur Van Horn and opened in January 1914. The facility took...

Best Products Retail Store Beds: 0/NA | Baths: 0/NA

Best Products, popularly known as “BEST”, was a national discount catalog retailer who had once maintained a Bismarck showroom for nearly twenty years. Its Bismarck showroom had opened in 1979 under the LaBelle’s banner and was rebranded shortly...