Preservation North Dakota Announces the 2008
3 Most Endangered Properties
DUNSEITH, ND – Preservation North Dakota ’s (PND) “3 Most Endangered Historic Properties” list for 2008 was announced on Friday, May 2, during PND’s 15th Annual North Dakota & 1st International Historic Preservation Conference at the International Peace Garden . PND initiated this listing in 2000. The announcements were made during a special Press Conference held at 9:30 am at the Historic CCC Lodge on the grounds of the International Peace Garden.
To qualify for the "3 Most Endangered List," a site must have historical, architectural or cultural significance. The property must also be in danger of demolition, deterioration, or substantial alteration due to neglect or vandalism. Preservation North Dakota 's Endangered Lists Committee is responsible for soliciting nominations to the list, evaluating the nominations, and making a determination which properties to include on the final list. PND works throughout the year developing programs that raise public awareness about the plight of these resources as well as programs that develop possible preservation solutions to save them.
“Historic preservation plays a vital role in the economy of the state. By offering experiential and learning-based vacations, historic preservation also has a very real impact on the state’s heritage tourism industry,” said Dale Bentley , PND Executive Director. “Hopefully communities across the state will see this list and be inspired to begin a preservation project of their own so that North Dakota ’s rich cultural and architectural heritage is fully recognized as the economic resource it has the potential to become.”
2008 THREE MOST ENDANGERED HISTORIC PROPERTIES:
1) Flat Iron Building , Minot – Ward County
The Flat Iron Building stands on the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway in Minot within a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in the early 20th century, the Flat Iron Building has served as a newspaper office, library, and as commercial space. It is an excellent example of early 20th century commercial design style, which is known for a more restrained and abstract use of decoration and detail.
The Flat Iron Building is probably best known for its unique shape. The height and length of the building is similar to store fronts on many North Dakota streets, but step to the side, and you’ll see how “flat” the building actually is. The layout of doors and windows on the street side reveal the building’s former commercial use. It is two stories high above ground, and also has two stories below ground.
The City of Minot has marked this building for demolition. However, the Creative Restoration Company, a local coalition that hopes to restore the building, is developing a preservation plan. Deb Carroll of Minot is acting spokeswoman for the Creative Restoration Company and has co-created an affiliate group under Preservation North Dakota to aid in preservation efforts.
2) Crying Hill, Mandan – Morton County
Crying Hill rises above the surrounding plains on the east side of Mandan , ND . The highest point in the area, Crying Hill has been sought out for centuries as a place of prayer, fasting, solace, and spiritual inspiration. In addition to the symbolic significance of being closer to the Creator, standing on Crying Hill provides a beautiful and practical place to view the surrounding area.
The Mandan , Hidatsa, Lakota, Dakota, and Arikara peoples have a deep spiritual connection to Crying Hill. Crying Hill means something different to each individual who experiences it. These experiences have been preserved in historic documents as well as the oral traditions of Native American elders and local residents.
Crying Hill is a significant Native American landmark within the Mandan-Bismarck city limits. It was part of the original Mandan village, a site visited by the Verendrye expedition, one of the earliest known European explorations in the area. It is still used today by regional Native Americans, by other cultural and religious groups, and by local residents.
The site is threatened by urban expansion, development and encroachment. It is essential that the site be protected before further development in the area destroys the landscape beyond recognition.
North Dakota native Patrick Atkinson has led preservation efforts by purchasing the land, creating an ecumenical, nonpolitical community coalition, and making “Crying Hill” a registered trademark to protect the integrity of the name. Crying Hill’s preservation coalition is committed to preserving the property from private urban development, to develop and promote Native American historical awareness in the area, and to provide a public access area that will improve the economic, educational, spiritual, physical, and cultural well-being of the community, its children, and their families.
For more information about Crying Hill visit www.CryingHill.org.
3) North Dakota Grain Elevators – Statewide Listing
Grain elevators are fundamentally significant to the history of North Dakota , and the entire Great Plains region. At one time the various wood and metal structures, visible for miles, served as economic pillars for almost every community in the state. While agricultural technology has evolved to the point where modern semi-trucks haul grain for miles to huge cement elevators, it wasn't that long ago when one could pass an elevator in any town and see a long line of grain trucks with an assortment of farm wives, kids, and hired men waiting to unload the grain truck.
These structures are deteriorating now from lack of use, and their architectural and cultural significance is in danger of being lost forever. At one time, these structures were at the center of state and national attention as radical farmers, fighting against the railroad monopolies, formed cooperatives and lobbied for state-run elevators to combat what they felt were excessive prices and corruption.
Grain elevators can be difficult to maintain. They often serve a limited purpose, and can be costly and difficult to repurpose for alternate use. Not every elevator can and should be saved. However, the structures are so fundamentally significant to state and regional history, that an inventory should be conducted to determine how many of these structures are still standing, what condition they are in, and which ones could be salvaged, either as simple visual artifacts on the landscape, or as structures with an alternate use.
2008 HONORABLE MENTION LISTING
Can Pile – Casselton, Cass County
The Can Pile in Casselton is not exactly a piece of art, even to modern eyes, but it has a fascinating story to tell. The Can Pile began with Max Taubert’s entrepreneurial spirit. A bachelor and World War I veteran, Taubert opened his gas station, the Brick House, in 1933. Business boomed thanks to truckers headed to the West Fargo meatpacking plant, and the can pile is lasting evidence of Taubert’s success. In 1936, Taubert added a lunch counter to his establishment, which soon became famous for the Brick House special, two hamburger patties with a large slice of onion garnished with pickles and mustard.
Preserving the Can Pile in Casselton is important because of the wealth of story and local folk lore attached. The Can Pile has also attracted a lot of attention for the city, especially as grassroots, experiential tourism is on the rise. It has become noticed by people across the country, who are interested in roadside Americana , and it is appearing in more and more guides for travelers, especially in the Internet-based guides. In a way, Taubert’s entrepreneurial spirit is still alive in his Can Pile – a structure that encourages those in search of genuine Americana to pull over and spend some time and money in Casselton.
Preservation North Dakota , the statewide, grassroots, historic preservation organization brought its Prairie Places Heritage tour to the Casselton community in 2005. Highlights of that tour included a visit to the one-of-a-kind Casselton Can Pile. The Can Pile was a favorite among participants, and is becoming noticed by aficionados of roadside Americana . Grassroots efforts are currently underway to explore the options available in preserving the Can Pile.
2008 HISTORIC PRESERVATION SUCCESS STORY AWARD
The Success Story Award for 2008 is presented by Preservation North Dakota for outstanding accomplishments in historic preservation. The Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, Fern Swenson, announced this year's award winner.
Martineau House, St John – Rolette County
The Martineau House, Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway. Accepting the award was Dick Johnson, from the Rolette County Historical Society.
The Martineau House is the official Visitor Center of the Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway. It is owned by the Rolette County Historical Society, and is eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Sites. This successful restoration and adaptive re-use is due to a partnership with the City of St. John . Working together, they secured over $65,000.00 in grant money for the building restoration and grounds beautification.
The restoration required lifting the structure off the original foundation. After 100 years, the original log foundation had disintegrated, and the building was sitting on packed earth. A poured concrete foundation replaced the logs on the original site. New landscaping was completed with appropriate plants and a historically accurate picket fence. Unique architectural features were restored, including the front porch and gingerbread trim, and historically accurate doors, windows, shingles and siding were installed and painted in period colors. The interior restoration included a new heating and cooling system, restroom facilities, electrical wiring, and restoration of the woodwork and floors. The building is now also handicap accessible.
In addition to its architectural significance, the Martineau House is associated with one of St. John’s most famous residents. Fortunat Martineau an early North Dakota settler, dedicated merchant, and community developer. He also built the first telephone system outside of the Red River Valley.
The Visitors Center is the only surviving structure of many built by the Martineaus in St. John . It was built in 1899 as a tenant home and temporary family residence next door to his primary dwelling. The Martineau House is the oldest surviving structure in St. John .
