BONANZAVILLE

November 2 marks 126 years since North Dakota became a state in the Union. While most North Dakotans are aware of the state’s history of Native American tribes, pioneer farming, the railroad, Theodore Roosevelt and the immigration of European settlers, many may not realize that large segments of this unique history have been preserved and maintained in one unique location: Bonanzaville.

Located at 1351 West Main Ave. in West Fargo, Bonanzaville was created in 1954 from a collaborative effort of the North Dakota Agricultural College (now NDSU), the Pioneer Daughters and local businessman Ken McIntyre. Construction at its current location began in 1967 and since then Bonanzaville has become the area’s largest historical attraction, spreading over 12 acres and encompassing 43 buildings showcasing over 400,000 artifacts. Currently operated by the Cass County Historical Society with Brenda Warren at the helm as its executive director, Bonanzaville is open to the public from May 1 through October 31, and has become a popular “educational tool for schoolchildren” as well as a unique destination for all ages. This year will also see two movie crews coming to Bonanzaville from Los Angeles and New York respectively, to film scenes for upcoming movie projects Heads or Tails and Dakota.

Relying on a strong contingent of volunteers (including the Bonanza Belles) and community support, Bonanzaville has long been touted as North Dakota’s best-kept secret. With exciting attractions such as the Cass County Museum (open year round), the Tractor, Steam Engine, Telephone and Car museums, as well as the Wheatland Town Jail and the Dobrinz one-room schoolhouse, visitors are able to step back into the past at a "living, breathing museum village" and interact with volunteers dressed in period costumes ready to answer any questions. And, with the more recent additions of an Event Center and Dawson Hall, more and more couples are looking to Bonanzaville as a one-of-a-kind wedding reception venue.

Local history buffs can also enjoy the experience of visiting “Fargo’s first home,” which was built in 1869 by Harry Moore and George Mann. At that time Fargo was only a rippling expanse of tents and canvas in the Dakota Territory, and the Mann-Moore home eventually served as both a hotel and a jail before finding its final resting place in Bonanzaville. With its wealth of history and memories it may also be of no surprise to some that paranormal investigators have identified paranormal activity in two buildings on site: the Houston Mansion and the Brass Rail Saloon.

Warren has also made it her mission to secure a permanent space within Bonanzaville for the site’s extensive collection of Rosemeade pottery. Created by North Dakotan Laura Taylor, Rosemeade pottery gained international acclaim after Taylor’s UND mosaic tile plaques were featured in the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair. Out of the eleven plaques shown at the fair, Bonanzaville showcases nine of them in their rotating exhibit hall.

Within the exhibit hall can also be found the current display of “North Dakota: 125 years,” commemorating the anniversary of statehood. In the Pioneer Village itself are ongoing exhibits including the Medical Display (with medical and dental equipment dating from the 19th century), the Dahl Car Museum (with vintage automobiles dating back to 1904) and the Eagles Air Museum (which includes a C-47 plane that took part in D-Day), among many others.

The overwhelmingly popular Fourth of July celebration and fireworks, and Pioneer Days (held August 16 and 17) have also boasted record numbers in recent years. This year’s Pioneer Days includes demonstrations of woodcarving, blacksmithing and basket weaving, along with live entertainment by square dancers and clog hoppers. On December 5, Santa and his reindeer will also be stopping by Pioneer Village, with sleigh rides and live music being provided.