Devils Lake in Ramsey County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Nash-Finch Company
Devils Lake Commercial District
placed on the
National Register
of Historic Places
1989
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1910.
Location. 48° 6.714′ N, 98° 51.743′ W. Marker is in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in Ramsey County. Marker is on 4th Street Northeast just west of 3rd Avenue Northeast, on the right when traveling west. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, just to the right of the south/front entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 217 4th Street Northeast, Devils Lake ND 58301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Keating's Furniture Annex (within shouting distance of this marker); Woolworth's (within shouting distance of this marker); Majestic Cleaners (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Vangs Jewelry Building (about 300 feet away); Jamieson Block (about 300 feet away); Mac's Lounge (about 400 feet away); Degendorf & Dickson Building (about 400 feet away); West Motor Parts, Inc. (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Devils Lake.
Regarding Nash-Finch Company. Contributing property, Devils Lake Commercial District, National Register of Historic Places #89001675.
From the National Register Nomination: Lake Grocery Building (1910)
An eclectic treatment featuring a three part facade with first story Chicago style windows, corbel work, Romanesque central entry and bracketed metal cornice. Retains a level of integrity largely unequalled in the District.The Commercial District presents a collection of structures reflecting, in one aspect or another, the evolution of Devils Lake from the railroad era to the age of the automobile. The physical appearance of the Commercial District building stock may be characterized as two-story and predominantly brick, with gradations in the color and in the size and craftsmanship of mortar joints. The bulk of Commercial District properties in Devils Lake are in many respects connected to events of railroad expansion in northeastern North Dakota. Railroad tributaries enabled merchants to make quick shipments, and abundant supplies of fuel, wood and coal were
added inducements for retail growth. Most of the Commercial District growth took place within the context of two major development periods: The First Dakota Boom between 1879 and 1886, and The Second Dakota Boom, 1898-1917. Outside boom periods, the character of District properties was undoubtedly shaped by the latent effects of increased rail traffic and a broadening exposure to new methods and fashions in the building industry.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Devils Lake Commercial District
Also see . . .
1. Nash Finch Company (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The origins of the Nash Finch Company go back to 1885 when Fred Nash opened a small candy and tobacco shop in the Dakota Territory town of Devils Lake. Soon, Nash opened another store with his two brothers in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Edgar and Willis, the brothers, joined Fred in opening in the late 1880s a fruit distribution business. In 1899, the brothers added Harry Finch as an employee to sort lemons. The brothers in 1904 made their first acquisition of a wholesale distributor in Minot, N.D., while Finch headed up a Grand Forks, N.D. warehouse. Additional expansions occurred through 1912. A partnership was started with produce brokerage C.H. Robinson Company, which the company took control of. In 1919, the company moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota. Nash Finch Company became the second largest publicly traded wholesale food distributor in the United States, in terms of revenue, serving the retail grocery industry and the military commissary and exchange systems. Annual sales were approximately $5.21 billion. Spartan Stores announced its acquisition of Nash Finch in a $1.3 billion stock-swap in 2013.(Submitted on February 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
2. Devils Lake Commercial District (Wikipedia). Excerpt:
The Devils Lake Commercial District in Devils Lake, North Dakota is a 15 acres historic district that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1989.(Submitted on February 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 21, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.