Devils Lake in Ramsey County, North Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bell Drug Store

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

1. Bell Drug Store Marker

Inscription. This building
contributes to the
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 (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1908.

Location. 48° 6.738′ N, 98° 51.614′ W. Marker is in Devils Lake, North Dakota, in Ramsey County. It is on 4th Avenue Northeast north of 4th Street Northeast, on the right when traveling north. The marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the southwest corner of the subject building, facing 4th Avenue Northeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 414 4th Avenue Northeast, Devils Lake ND 58301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in North Dakota’s Red River Valley.

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.

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

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Ye Old Tavern (a few steps from this marker); Paul's Appliance (a few steps from this marker); Ramsey Drug (within shouting distance of this marker); I.O.O.F. Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Christie Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Chantilly House (within shouting distance of this marker); Locke Block (within shouting distance of this marker); Kelly Building (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Devils Lake.

Regarding Bell Drug Store. Contributing property, Devils Lake Commercial District, National Register of Historic Places #89001675.

From the National Register Nomination: Bell Drug Store (ca. 1908—1914)
Two-story buff brick commercial building. The corbelled string course over the segmentally arched windows and the corbelled cornice line recall the façade treatment of the Brennan Block. A narrow corbelled band follows the segmental line of the window openings.
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

2. Bell Drug Store Marker
Marker is mounted at the southwest corner of the building, on the right edge of the front facade.
Above is a simple corbelled cornice with unadorned piers that project to form a parapet.
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.

Bell Drug Store Building (<i>southwest elevation</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, September 2, 2023

3. Bell Drug Store Building (southwest elevation)

Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Devils Lake Commercial District

Also see . . . 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 23, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 23, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 184 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2024, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.