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2006 Most Endangered Properties
Ellendale Opera House - Ellendale, Dickey County One of Ellendale's oldest structures, the Opera House building is located on West Main Street. The 3-story brick structure was built in 1908 when the local businessmen decided to plan for the future of their town. The main floor housed businesses, while the second and third stories encompassed the auditorium and balcony seating, for about 1000 patrons. The chairs could be removed to provide room for dancing. The third story also held several rooms and offices. A grand opening was held in February, 1909. It was billed as the largest Opera House between Minneapolis and Seattle. In the years that followed, the auditorium was used for high school plays and graduations, college plays and debates, dances, basketball games, wrestling, and boxing matches. As well as, 4-H rallies, roller-skating, and other social events that required the spacious environment the building offered.  The Opera House is owned by O.P.E.R.A. (Organization of People in Ellendale for the Restoration of the Arts). They have been working tirelessly for the restoration of the building. It has a new roof, and the back wall that had collapsed has been rebuilt. This monumental effort however is still in need of the full support of the preservation community. Fessenden Auditorium - Fessenden, Wells County Elders of the community believe that the Fessenden Auditorium, commonly known as "The Theater" was built in approximately 1918. It operated as a show hall, a dance hall, a setting for programs, and a social gathering place for numerous types of other activities. For many years in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, March 17 became known as Alfalfa Days in Fessenden. During the day, programs would be presented for the public and at night the famous "Alfalfa Day Dance". Before the new addition was put on the Fessenden School in approximately 1964, all the music programs, concerts and other type of school functions were held in the "Auditorium". Through the 50s, 60s, and 70s, movies were shown in the Theater and it was the hub of teen social life, as well as family activities for life in a small prairie town. For many it was the best part of coming to town on Saturday night.  In 1975 the remodeling venture covered over the historic exterior of the building and added the awning/overhang on the outside front of the building. In the later 1970s the Theater was donated to the Fessenden Park Board to oversee. The adjacent building housed the Teen Canteen operated in Fessenden for about 8 years. In 2004 the City Council gave its approval for demolition of the building. A local group of dedicated preservationists have been working to save it since that fateful decision. Union Block, Hillsboro, Traill County 
The Union Block in Hillsboro, was built between 1891 and 1892 by a partnership of four business owners. The original building replaced the earlier "Pioneer Merchants Building" after a disastrous fire in the winter of 1891. The Union Block represents the prosperity and optimism of the community in the late 1890s. The Hillsboro Banner stated in the February 27, 1891 issue that "Architect Fisk was down from Grand Forks yesterday showing plans which he has prepared for the . . . Union Block. It is to be modeled in a manner similar to the old building although it will surpass the former structure in elegance and substantiality." The Union Block stands apart from other commercial buildings as it combines four stores into one continuous façade on Main Street. The southern most building of Union Block, the one most in danger of demolition, has housed two general stores, J. C. Penny, Johnson Store, Valley Antiques and the first hospital in Hillsboro. The other buildings have housed the post office and Fankhannel's Variety Store, and are the current homes of Uniquely Yours, an antique and craft store, as well as Amy's Floral and Coffee.
Union Block has become an icon and symbol of Hillsboro. It has witnessed the prosperity and the hard times of the community, but has remained a constant in a world of change. The Hillsboro Community Partnership is working hard to see this building restored to the landmark status that it once held in the community. Honorable Mention: Berginski Barn, a.k.a. Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway Barn - Rolette County 
According to the 1910 Rolette Co. Atlas a barn was situated on this property, and local legend has it that it was built around that time from Turtle Mountain poplar lumber milled at the site. The landowner at that time was Garnet Vail. It is sided in pressed tin, which was most likely a later addition. According to the owner there was an addition built on the North side of the building in the early 1960s and that it was removed or collapsed in 1974, hence the absence of some of the tin siding at that location. It was a cattle barn until the 1990s when the family moved.
This barn is the most photographed barn on the Turtle Mountain Scenic Byway. Local historical society groups feel that it needs to be preserved as it conveys the sense of place and feeling of the region. |
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