Digital Minot: An On-Line Museum of Local History
Old Main in 1943: Minot State Teachers College Supports the War Effort
MSU Photo Archives
In the wake of the December 7, 1941 Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, stunned
Americans prepared to do their patriotic duty as the United States entered World War II.
Responding to this national call, Dr. C.C. Swain, president of Minot State Teachers
College, pledged use of all of the college’s resources toward the war effort. In March of
1943, MSTC was selected as a host for the V-12 Naval Officer Training Program. More
than 800 Sailors received general instruction and military preparation during the 28
months of the program’s existence at MSTC.
Pictured at right is an aerial view of the MSTC Campus taken in 1944. A formation of
Sailors spelling out “NAVY V-12” can be seen on the lawn in front of Old Main.
Pictured at far right are Sailors engaged in a blindfolded boxing match during a “Smoker”
event. “Smoker” is a term used in U.S. Navy tradition for boxing matches that usually
occurred on ships; in this case, the affair took place in the gymnasium of Old Main.
Sailors at MSTC held several such events during the program’s tenure.
MSU Photo Archives
MSU Photo Archives
MSU Photo Archives
MSU Photo Archives
Pictured at right is the V-12 band during the summer of 1944. Under the direction of the
V-12’s top enlisted member, the band performed during dances, concerts and parades.
The band’s theme was “Anchors Aweigh.”
Pictured at far right is a 1944 co-ed dance held in the original MSTC Student Union
building: the “June Prom-Highlight of Spring Social Season.” V-12 sailors interacted with
civilian students extensively both inside and outside of the classroom.
Exhibit and research by Bob Schwartz
Over the course of more than a century, a number of important Minot businesses and
services have been located at the intersection of Main Street and Central Avenue. The
northeast corner of this intersection is the location of 2 North Main. One of the earliest
structures at this location was built in 1897 as Martin Jacobson’s dream hardware store.
1897
1903
Jacobson created plans to extend the building in 1900 by purchasing the adjacent lot to
the north. He also added a third story, in which Minot residents celebrated the opening
of the town’s first and only opera house in 1903. The building also accommodated the
town’s first post office. Jacobson sold the hardware business to his nephew “Doc”
Jacobson and partner Peter Fugelso in 1907.
In 1914, Jacobson sold the building to the Union National Bank. During the next decade,
several interior renovations created space for Union Dentists, a barbershop, a tailor
shop, and private residences. In 1915, a “big screen” was added to the opera house’s
main stage, and it was renamed the Grand Theater (although this movie theater was
briefly called the Hippodrome in 1917 and 1918).
This 1915 sketch by an unknown artist shows the bank and opera house building. The
image clearly depicts the building's updated façade which remained until the building
was severely damaged in a 1923 fire. Notice the clock and the signs for Union National
Bank, Union Dentists, and the Grand Theater. The building was re-constructed in 1924;
the resulting façade remains largely unchanged as of 2013.
MSU Photo Archives
1915
Photo Courtesy of Lucille Parker
2013
The Union National Bank moved to a new location and sold the building to the United
Services Organization in 1965. The USO occupied 2 North Main until 1976, after which
time the property sat vacant for two decades. In 1983, during this period of vacancy, the
building was registered as a historical landmark.
Colleen Johnson and Elliot Obedin donated the building to the Minot Art Association in
1992. Stan Taube made a substantial donation in honor of his parents, and the Coleman
and Lillian Taube Museum of Art opened to the public in 1997. The Taube provides
opportunities for the community to learn about all forms of the visual arts through
varied exhibits and activities.
MSU Photo Archives
MSU Photo Archives
Meet the Digital Minot Team
Exhibit and research by Amy Lisner
MSU Social Science Division
4th in Series: Spring 2013
Amy Lisner, Dr. Bethany Andreasen and Bob Schwartz