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...

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, 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 (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 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 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 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 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 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, popularly known as “BEST”, was a national discount catalogue retailer who had opened its Bismarck showroom in 1979. After filing for bankruptcy for the second time, the company became defunct in 1997 and closed all locations,...