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

North Dakota Jewry

By Jerry Klinger

1. North Dakota Jewry Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the 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

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

2. North Dakota Jewry Marker Photo of Homesteaders

Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Churches & Religion • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation Markers ✡️ series list.

Location. 46° 52.59′ N, 96° 55.622′ W. Marker is in West Fargo, North Dakota, in Cass County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 8 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Fargo Walk of Fame (approx. 3.7 miles away); "The Woodchipper" in FARGO (approx. 3.7 miles away); Gasoline Horsepower (approx. 7.1 miles away); 'The Next Great City' (approx. 7.1 miles away); Red River Transportation / A Busy Port (approx. 7.1 miles away in Minnesota); Veterans Memorial Bridge (approx. 7.2 miles away in Minnesota); Douglas House (approx. 7.2 miles away in Minnesota); St, John's Episcopal Church (approx. 7½ miles away in Minnesota).

Also see . . . Frontier Jews find more ‘Green Acres’ than Goldene Medina in rural Dakota. The

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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 June 11, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 152 times since then and 2 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 25, 2019, by Jerry Klinger of Boynton Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.