In June of 1915, Fargo seemed a well-run modern small city. A trip through the pages of the Daily Fargo Forum newspaper reveals Fargo to be up-to-date in culture, life and metropolitan concerns.
Two weeks of drama is advertised for the theatre-going public with Everywoman, billed as an impressive and soul searching dramatic spectacle, standing solitary and alone, the culmination of three centuries of dramatic achievement. A company of 37 principals, a beauty chorus, startling scenery and electric effects, the last word in elegance in costumes and an entire symphony orchestra! The promotional message went on to call it the greatest production of Henry W. Savage, who is acknowledged as America’s greatest producer. This is the only Henry W. Savage to be seen in this city this season!
Another advertised offering, coming to the new Academy Auditorium in Fargo the following week, was Shakespeare’s Hamlet, playing three nights, and The Merchant of Venice playing alternate three night performances. Admission was 50 cents.
At Ricker’s, billed as “Fargo’s fastest growing store,” Dakota Pride Bacon was 26 cents a pound and a 15 pound bag of sugar was one dollar.
That day’s paper also observed that Fargo High School would graduate 58 students. Other activities at graduation time include a class play, sermons, readings, essays, music and prayers.
Saturday classes at the Fargo College Conservatory of Music would be giving a splendid recital in a program to feature 27 songs from students.
And O.J. deLendrecie Co, self-billed as Fargo’s greatest store, featured a Saturday special with Middy Blouses priced from one dollar to $1.89.
Fargo’s Fine Arts Society was sponsoring paintings, both portraits and landscapes, by St. Paul artist Nickolas Brewer, attracting hundreds of visitors. According to the newspaper, “visitors have gathered each morning as early as 9 o’clock and continued throughout the day and evening, until sometime as late as 11:30 at night.”
That was June in Fargo, 1915.
Dakota Datebook by Steve Stark
Sources: June 4, 1915 Fargo Forum & Daily Republican
