6/16/2013:
On June 16, 1887, a severe wind storm ripped through the University of North Dakota and destroyed much of the school’s main building. The west wing was demolished, its chimneys and cupola knocked to the ground. The school’s museum was a total loss, with most of the collection missing or damaged. This came less than three years after the school first opened.
At an original cost of $30,000, the school had been a tremendous expense for the city of Grand Forks. Residents fretted over the ability to rebuild, and considered moving the school to another location. Fortunately, Governor Louis Church offered state support, authorizing loans to rebuild. Within a year, the school reopened, and graduated its first class of 20 students in 1889.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Sources:
Pearson, Ethelyn. 2000 It Really Happened Here: Amazing Tales of Minnesota and the Dakotas: pp. 64-5. McCleery & Sons Publishing: Gwinner, ND.
Tags: University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, wind storm.