National Register Listing

Pence Automobile Company Warehouse

a.k.a. Ritchman's Printing/32CS1857

301 N. P Ave., Fargo, ND
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1994.

The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.

architecture
The world's largest hamburger was cooked in North Dakota in 1982. It weighed over 3,000 pounds and was made using a custom-made grill that was over 8 feet in diameter.
North Dakota random facts
Cass County, North Dakota, has a rich history that traces back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, who relied on the fertile soil and abundant resources of the region for their livelihoods.

The first known European settlers arrived in what is now Cass County in the mid-1800s, drawn by the promise of fertile farmland. The area soon became a hub for agricultural development, with settlers establishing numerous small towns and farming communities. In 1873, Cass County was officially created and named after territorial governor George Washington Cass.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cass County experienced significant growth and development. New rail lines were laid, connecting the county to markets across the region and facilitating the transportation of goods. As the county and its population expanded, new industries emerged, including flour mills, lumber production, and manufacturing.

In the early 20th century, Cass County faced challenges such as drought, economic downturns, and the impact of World War I. However, the county managed to weather these challenges and continued to develop. Today, Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota and remains a major center for agriculture, as well as a hub for education, healthcare, and industry.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Cass County, North Dakota.

  • 1804: Lewis and Clark expedition explores the area of present-day Cass County
  • 1818: The region becomes part of the land acquired through the Treaty of Fort Jackson
  • 1872: Cass County is established by the Dakota Territory Legislature
  • 1873: The city of Fargo is founded as the county seat
  • 1879: The Great Northern Railway reaches Fargo, boosting the city's growth and development
  • 1881: North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) is established in Fargo
  • 1893: The Fargo-Moorhead Flood devastates the region
  • 1957: The first Interstate highway in the state, Interstate 29, is opened in Cass County
  • 1974: Fargo experiences a major tornado outbreak, causing significant damage
  • 1997: The Red River Flood of 1997 causes extensive flooding in the county