6/21/2008:
On this date in 1878, The Bismarck Weekly Tribune reported: “The steamboating interests of Bismarck have increased to proportions which seem to warrant some effort on our part to prepare winter quarters for those whose owners would prefer to have them winter here. Some four boats belong here and others would undoubtedly winter here if we had conveniences for them to repair during the winter.”
Contractors estimated winter quarters to dry-dock five boats would cost the city about twenty-five hundred dollars.
The editor wrote: “This would be not only a great accommodation to boatmen, but would be a public benefit to Bismarck by encouraging industry here during our dull season.”
The Tribune appealed to local merchants to support the project and try to complete it before winter.
By Merry Helm
Source: The Bismarck Weekly Tribune. 21 June 1878. P:1