6/29/2016:
On this date in 1926, final preparations were being made in Fargo for a royal visit. Crown Prince Gustaf Adolf and Crown Princess Louise of Sweden were scheduled to arrive the following day. The royal couple set out from Washington, D-C, receiving enthusiastic receptions as they traveled across the country. The Fargo committee in charge of arrangements asked that the business district be decorated for the occasion. L.B. Hanna, chairman of the committee, said many out of town visitors were expected. He hoped the city would put its best foot forward.
The Crown Prince and Princess were scheduled to arrive on a special Northern Pacific train. The visit was expected to last twenty minutes. The street would be closed to traffic at the railroad crossing so pedestrians could see the royal couple and listen to the Prince speak from the rear platform of the train. Because of the short duration of the visit, there were no plans for a large reception. The welcoming committee would meet the Prince and Princess in Dilworth. There they would board the train and ride with the royal party into Fargo. Mrs. Norman B. Black, chairman of the woman’s committee, planned to present Princess Louise with a memento of her visit. When the train reached Fargo, Mayor J.H. Dahl would give a brief welcome before the Prince made his remarks.
Fargo was not the only town making preparations. A small reception was planned in Jamestown by the Chamber of Commerce, a visit scheduled to last only ten minutes. Governor A.G. Sorlie planned to meet the royal party in Steele, then ride the train into Bismarck. Stops at other towns were deliberately kept short to leave time for a more elaborate reception in Bismarck.
After leaving North Dakota, the Prince and Princess continued across the country. They visited many small towns before arriving in California and Hollywood, where they socialized with celebrities, including the great Sweden-born star, Greta Garbo.
Dakota Datebook written by Carole Butcher
Sources:
Wyoming Tales and Trails. "http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/pinedale2.html" http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/pinedale2.html Accessed 14 May, 2016.
Fargo Forum and Daily Republican. “Committee to Meet Gustaf at Dilworth.” 29 June, 1926.
Greta Garbo. "http://www.gretagarbo.de/sjolander-garbo-060.html" http://www.gretagarbo.de/sjolander-garbo-060.html Accessed 14 May, 2016