Moorhead in Clay County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
The Solomon Gilman Comstock House
Born in Maine in 1842, Solomon G. Comstock worked on the family farm until he came of age and then followed the pioneers west. After reading law in Bangor, he studied at the University of Michigan, then went to Omaha and Minneapolis. Finally, in the fall of 1871, “poor, but full of vigor, hope and talents,” Comstock established a successful legal practice in Moorhead. His sound judgment and solid statesmanship won him appointment as Clay County attorney and then election to the state legislature as representative and senator and to the United States House of Representatives.
In the late 1870s, Comstock donated six acres of valuable city property for the establishment of a state normal school, later to become Moorhead State College. His belief in higher education was also reflected in the career of his daughter Ada Louise, who became a noted educator and third president of Radcliffe College.
Comstock built this imposing eleven-room frame house in 1883 for his wife Sarah and their children. One of the few remaining urban homes to boast such spacious grounds typical of the late 1800s, the house was donated to the Minnesota Historical Society for restoration and preservation in 1965 by Mr. and Mrs. George Comstock.
Erected 1971 by Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1842.
Location. 46° 52.142′ N, 96° 46.072′ W. Marker is in Moorhead, Minnesota, in Clay County. Marker is on 8th Street (U.S. 75), on the right when traveling north. The marker is on the grounds of the Comstock House historical site, owned by the Minnesota Historical Society and operated by the Clay County Historical Society. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 506 8th St S, Moorhead MN 56560, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. St, John's Episcopal Church (approx. ¼ mile away); Douglas House (approx. 0.4 miles away); The First Bridge over the Red River (approx. half a mile away); Veterans Memorial Bridge (approx. half a mile away); Red River Transportation / A Busy Port (approx. half a mile away); 'The Next Great City' (approx. half a mile away in North Dakota); Gasoline Horsepower (approx. 0.6 miles away in North Dakota); Replica of the Statue of Liberty (approx. 0.7 miles away in North Dakota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moorhead.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 3, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 89 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 3, 2022, by Liz Koele of St. Paul, Minnesota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.