Fairmont Creamery Company
801 2nd Ave., N., Moorhead, MN Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1983.
April 12, 1861: The Civil War begins with the Confederate attack on Fort Sumter, located in South Carolina's Charleston Harbor.
April 15, 1861: President Abraham Lincoln issues a call for 75,000 volunteers to serve in the Union Army to suppress the rebellion.
May 24, 1861: The first major land battle, known as the First Battle of Bull Run (or First Battle of Manassas), takes place in Virginia. It ends in Confederate victory.
September 17, 1862: The Battle of Antietam in Maryland becomes the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with heavy casualties on both sides. The Union forces, commanded by General George McClellan, manage to halt Confederate General Robert E. Lee's advance into Union territory.
January 1, 1863: President Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring that all slaves in Confederate-held territories are to be set free. However, the proclamation does not immediately free all slaves in the United States.
July 1-3, 1863: The Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania takes place, resulting in a significant Union victory and inflicting heavy casualties on Confederate forces. It marks a turning point in the war.
November 19, 1863: President Lincoln delivers the Gettysburg Address, emphasizing the principles of liberty, equality, and the preservation of the Union.
April 9, 1865: General Robert E. Lee surrenders to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House in Virginia, effectively ending the Civil War.
April 14, 1865: President Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending a play at Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C.
May 10, 1865: Confederate President Jefferson Davis is captured, signaling the collapse of the Confederate government.
December 6, 1865: The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, officially abolishing slavery throughout the country.
While this timeline provides an overview of key events, it is important to note that the Civil War spanned over four years, from 1861 to 1865, and encompassed numerous battles, campaigns, and political developments that shaped the course of American history.
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.
Minnesota is home to the largest ball of twine ever rolled by one person. Francis A. Johnson started rolling the ball in 1950 and continued to add to it until his death in 1989. The ball weighs over 17,000 pounds and has a circumference of 40 feet.
In the early 19th century, European settlers began to arrive in the region. The establishment of a fur trading post by the American Fur Company in 1812 marked the beginning of a more permanent presence of European-Americans in the area. The fur trade served as a major economic activity for the early settlers.
In 1871, Clay County was officially organized and named after Henry Clay, a prominent American statesman. The county's development accelerated with the arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century. This transportation infrastructure facilitated the growth of agricultural and industrial activities, boosting the county's economy.
Over the years, Clay County has faced various challenges and triumphs. It experienced periods of economic prosperity, such as during the 1920s when the sugar beet industry boomed. The Great Depression of the 1930s caused significant hardships, but the county rebounded during World War II with its agricultural resources being utilized for the war effort.
Today, Clay County continues to thrive as a diverse and vibrant community. It is home to several cities, including Moorhead, which is known for its educational institutions, including Minnesota State University Moorhead. The county also boasts recreational opportunities, such as the Buffalo River State Park and the Red River of the North, which provide outdoor activities for residents and visitors alike.
Clay County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Clay County, Minnesota.
- 1858 - Clay County was established on March 8, 1858, as one of the original nine counties in the Minnesota Territory.
- 1869 - The city of Moorhead was founded on October 6, 1869, as a railroad hub and quickly became the county seat.
- 1871 - The first courthouse was completed in Moorhead in 1871.
- 1872 - The first newspaper in Clay County, the Moorhead Enterprise, was established in 1872.
- 1878 - The Great Northern Railway reached Moorhead in 1878, connecting the city to the west coast and promoting further growth.
- 1881 - Concordia College, a private liberal arts college, was founded in Moorhead in 1881.
- 1885 - The Clay County Historical Society, now known as the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, was established in 1885.
- 1926 - The current Clay County Courthouse, a notable example of Renaissance Revival architecture, was completed in Moorhead in 1926.
- 1997 - The Hjemkomst Center, a cultural heritage museum, was opened in Moorhead in 1997, showcasing the replica of a Viking ship.