These photos were found in a local antique store and depict a parade as it travels west on Front Street (Main Avenue) and then turns north on Broadway. Judging by the American Flags in the crowd and in the windows of the structures in the background, this is likely a 4th of July parade.

The buildings in the photo above represent the brick structures that replaced many of the buildings destroyed in the early moments of the Great Fargo Fire of 1893. Businesses shown in the background include Herzmann’s Dry Goods Store, W.O. Olsen Furniture, Max Stern Clothing House, and Moody’s Dry Goods.

The exact year of these photos is unknown, but there are some tantalizing hints handwritten on the back of one of the photos. In red ink, “Date?” is written, followed by the caption “From Richard Hall, Son of Late Hon. Thomas Hall, Secretary of State, North Dakota.” Added later in the same handwriting, in black ink, “1910?” is written above the name “Noble.”

Thomas Hall was a two-time North Dakota Secretary of State, first from 1913 to 1924, and again from 1943 to 1954. In between his terms as Secretary of State, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1924 to 1933.

Above: The El Zagal Band marches north on Broadway circa 1910.

Below: The site, photographed in 2015, is home to Bank of the West.