Bonanzaville USA in West Fargo in Cass County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

North Dakota Jewry

Photographed by Jimmy Emerson, 23

1. North Dakota Jewry Marker

Inscription. Jews have been part of North Dakota's social, economic, agricultural and political life since territorial days. Between the 1880's and the 1920's, aided by the Jewish Agricultural and Industrial Society, primarily Russian and Romanian Jews came to North Dakota escaping persecution and pogroms (anti-Jewish riots) in Europe. They established themselves in over 50 agricultural settlements on 1200 farms.

North Dakota had the fourth largest number of Jewish homesteaders in the Nation.

Jewish agricultural settlements were established at Painted Woods, Devil's Lake, Garske, Wing-Regan, Flasher and in Bowman County. The most enduring settlement was in the Ashley area. The railroad facilitated additional Jewish immigration to the urban areas of North Dakota.

Jews established themelves in Grand Forks, Bismark, Minot and Fargo significantly contributing to the economic development of the cities. The first permanent Jewish house of worship was dedicated in Grand Forks, 1892. Rabbi Benjamin Papermaster was the first Rabbi, serving from 1891-1934.

Erected 2017 by Cass County Historical Society Jewish American Society for

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Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Immigration • Religion & Religious Structures • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation. series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1200.

Location. 46° 52.59′ N, 96° 55.622′ W. Marker is in West Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. It is in Bonanzaville USA. It can be reached from the intersection of Main Avenue W. and 15th Street NW. Located within Historic Bonanzaville, outside of Fargo. Adjacent to the Prairie Church. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1351 Main Ave W, West Fargo ND 58078, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Red River Valley

and in Greater Fargo Area.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

North Dakota Jewry Marker Photo of Homesteaders image. Click for full size.

2. North Dakota Jewry Marker Photo of Homesteaders

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Habberstad Cabin (a few steps from this marker); South Pleasant Church (a few steps from this marker); Pioneer Memorial Fund (a few steps from this marker); Buffalo Bandstand (a few steps from this marker); Land Office Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Land Office Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Dobrinz School (within shouting distance of this marker); Checkered Years House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Fargo.

Also see . . . Frontier Jews find more ‘Green Acres’ than Goldene Medina in rural Dakota. The little known Jewish historical experience of North Dakota. The marker, a joint effort with Bonanzaville, led to the first year-long exhibit, “The North Dakota Jewish Experience – Shvitzing It Out On The Prairie.” (Submitted on June 10, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida.)

Additional keywords. North Dakota Jewish agricultural homesteading

Credits. This page was last revised on February 14, 2026. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 674 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 24, 2025, by Jimmy Emerson of Dalton, Georgia. 2. submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.