J.I.Case Fargo ND Branch

Ande · May 16, 2016

This isn't a good picture of the branch but there is a point I wanted to make, as more will come, and some other comments I will make, but notice the Eagle and its mount

1370rod · May 16, 2016

Dan do you know if those Eagles were flat or like a king size version of the cast iron ones we are accustom to seeing?

Richard G. · May 17, 2016

At first I thought the Eagle was mounted on the power pole. Then I saw the lines running in front of it.
Richard in NW SC

Ande · May 17, 2016

Rod, my understanding the Eagle is out at Bonanzaville, which is the heritage village in West Fargo fair grounds(Where Big Iron is). My understanding is J. I. Case Company donated the Eagle, and I think the branch to the city. (Any out there correct me if I'm wrong.)

The Eagle is just like the one in Rollag, but the last I saw her not as well kept as Rollag's.(I'm being as politically correct as possible)

There is much more to this story, will post more today. From what I understand, it is very sad what is going to happen.

I posted once before about the Fargo Branch which was a huge branch, with the largest lift elevator in the world at the time to lift steamers into the basement for repairs. I actually talk with a gentlemen that was 17 that work there in the winters.

Rod those sheds in the background of the branch which are north of the branch were the ones I investigated when very young with my Dad picking up parts, and yes they were full of "30"series tractors! Maybe your "430"!

Ken in AZ · May 17, 2016

Ande,
The build card on my 1940 DH says it went to Fargo before it ended up in Montana (where my family got it in the 50's). I wondered why Fargo... size of the operation makes more sense now.

Thanks for posting!

Ken in AZ

Bob · May 17, 2016

Ande · May 17, 2016

Ok couple more, these are a bit better quality, the others I pick up in Heritage archives. And more history too:

The J. I. Case Company opened it Fargo branch about 1882. The first location was at 421 Front Street (Main Avenue). This building was destroyed in the Fargo Fire of June 7, 1893 and a new building was constructed on the same site. In January 1902, the company announced that it was going to relocate to 117 N.P. Avenue, and construct what was then called by the Fargo Forum and Daily nnalert the ?Largest Machine Warehouse in the Northwest?. Before construction was complete on the new building, the old building on Front Street burned to the ground on March 2, 1902. Construction on the three story brick facility was completed in 1903. This new building had a short life however, as it was destroyed by a fire in the early morning hours of November 18, 1907. Two firefighters were killed in this blaze when the north brick wall collapsed on top of them. The J. I. Case Company constructed a replacement building on the same site. The company remained in the building until about 1970

Ande · May 17, 2016

Here is our old Branch today, glad it was saved till now anyway, this is the north end of it, storage buildings gone, and my understanding apartments and offices.

I goggled the south side but it will give you a look at the bracket is still there for the eagle!

fastfarmall · May 17, 2016

It was later rented to Sears @ Roebuck, for storage, for washers, dryers, Fridge's etc, But i certainly don't remember the grain silos or whatever they were, Behind the semi on that picture.

Straw Boss · May 17, 2016

After three fires I'll bet their insurance premiums were getting a bit pricey!

Ande · May 17, 2016

I hate to say I remember the elevator there in the 60s.

Do you live close or in Fargo FastFarmall?

Wondered if you had heard anything regarding the fate of the Branch since its "in the way" for the flood project? I do know the old Howards Johnsons, which I believe was the old "Town House" (stayed there with the family when Dad was at meetings, and meeting were held there also) was being torn down yesterday or just before.

Denny K · May 17, 2016

Neat pictures. I hauled the second 1030 that Carlson-Sjostrom Imp. in Kulm, ND got. I hauled the first one back to Fargo Depot cuz it had a BAD knock. Found out later at the depot that someone had put a #12 sheet metal screw in the engine. Case replaced the head, piston and sleeve and rod brg and sent it out to Montana. The second trip to the depot was for a 1030 trans/diff. housing after the reverse idler locked up and destroyed some gears and the housing.

Don Rudolph · May 17, 2016

Sure like those old pictures Dan, Thanks for posting them. Don

fastfarmall · May 17, 2016

About 110 miles. I did buy a new washer and dryer from Sears, in Dec of 1970, picked it up there, from a north door.When they built West Acres, and Sears moved in there i assumed they didnt need to rent room, in there any longer.

Ande · May 17, 2016

The reason I asked you if you did live there, is I have read some of the open meeting law minutes, and it appears they are trying to purchase the Case plaza also, and that only means one thing to me. Demolition.

Hopefully some of the Rollag folks might know more or someone close that might.

Ande · May 17, 2016

Denny, I think we have talk before, as I mentioned my Dad always thought Carlson-Sjostrom Imp. was a good dealership, they gave lots of good service.

Sounds like you were there a few times too Denny, love to hear Branch stories. Do you remember that awful green color inside the parts counter area? Cant get that out of my mind!HeHe.

Enjoyed your history too!

And about the full sheds in the back with "30" series, and more

Dan

01gentdc · May 17, 2016

this is what made America GREAT

Ande · May 17, 2016

Couldn't agree more.

fastfarmall · May 18, 2016

Ok, i really didn.t hear any of that skuttle , but anything is possible.The thing i have heard is that the parking lot, Mid America steal could get bought up, something to make the retaining wall.

Ande · May 18, 2016

Here is why the Fargo Branch is facing the problems as other buildings close to the river. Seems hard thou to think, this building is over 100 years old, and faced so many other problems.

Ande · May 18, 2016

Here is where we stayed, The Town House Fargo. Man when I found this it brought back a lot, this was close to the auditorium and just down the road to the North of the Branch, so they could use that also. I think Case used the Town House a lot for function's.

Sorry guys for taking you all down my memory lane! Ha.

I haven't confirmed this, but my thoughts are The Town House became the old Howard Johnson's.

Ande · May 19, 2016

Thanks Don, glad you enjoyed, and seeing one of the last branch houses, a big piece of history might be going away. Guess what happens will happen, I need to just let this go.

Putkr89 · May 19, 2016

I have been enjoying listening to the stories and seeing the pictures too

jicaseman89 · May 19, 2016

wow i need to take a trip to fargo thats neat thanks guys. they should move the dam river i hear about it every year
loren

Ande · May 20, 2016

It was a big branch, and there was a "big man" that ran it I think from the 50s till the end, in early 70s,(New management came in close the branch, put Chet in one of those little cubicles at the Fargo company store,, he died a little later, I think of a broken heart) Mr. Chet Stromsvold, as I have mentioned in older posts, to me, at that age, he was the J.I.Case Company

Always nice to hear from you Ken

Dan

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