Fargo
Bonanza: n.: a sudden happening that brings good fortune (as a sudden opportunity to make money).
We have spent the last week in this incredible commercial sprawl known as Fargo, North Dakota. Fargo is aptly named for one of the richest men in America in his day, railroad financier William G. Fargo. We are at once amazed and appalled by the shallowness of the culture here, where a fast food restaurant literally stands on each corner, and every chain retail/ corporate outfit known in America has built a superstore - twice. And on each opposite corner? A gourmet coffee shop. One gains perspective, however, by considering the history and founding purpose of the city. During the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad, a place was chosen at a lazy, shallow point in the Red River. Following the announcement of the crossing point, "Fargo on the Prairie" became a tent town built near the bank of the river. It became the headquarters of the Northern Pacific engineers. The railroad engineers and surveyors and their families lived there. Army officers that accompanied the railroad engineers also lived there. The community consisted of approximately 100 persons living in about fifty tents. There was no looking back. A succession of mercantile enterprises was begun that has not been checked in it's 130 year history.
A 1930 aerial photo of Fargo, North Dakota.
We have spent the week catching up with the many cousins emanating from the original Moos clan of 10 siblings, of which Clarence was the youngest. Clarence was the keeper of all of the contact info, and was the one through whom we got most of the news of the family 'back home', but we lost that info in the fire. It has taken a great deal of research and running
down, as they are not a unified family, and are not in very good communication with each other. We have visited them in small groups and showed them the memorial tribute prepared by the funeral home last February.
Evelyn and Clarence Moos
We spent the 4th in Detroit Lakes, and lo and behold, "D-L" as the locals call it is Ft. Lauderdale in March - a scene of which I never planned on partaking. We did find a nice spot to watch the very nice fireworks display.
The sun sets over Greater Detroit Lake on Independence Day, 2006
We have spent the last week in this incredible commercial sprawl known as Fargo, North Dakota. Fargo is aptly named for one of the richest men in America in his day, railroad financier William G. Fargo. We are at once amazed and appalled by the shallowness of the culture here, where a fast food restaurant literally stands on each corner, and every chain retail/ corporate outfit known in America has built a superstore - twice. And on each opposite corner? A gourmet coffee shop. One gains perspective, however, by considering the history and founding purpose of the city. During the building of the Northern Pacific Railroad, a place was chosen at a lazy, shallow point in the Red River. Following the announcement of the crossing point, "Fargo on the Prairie" became a tent town built near the bank of the river. It became the headquarters of the Northern Pacific engineers. The railroad engineers and surveyors and their families lived there. Army officers that accompanied the railroad engineers also lived there. The community consisted of approximately 100 persons living in about fifty tents. There was no looking back. A succession of mercantile enterprises was begun that has not been checked in it's 130 year history.
A 1930 aerial photo of Fargo, North Dakota.
We have spent the week catching up with the many cousins emanating from the original Moos clan of 10 siblings, of which Clarence was the youngest. Clarence was the keeper of all of the contact info, and was the one through whom we got most of the news of the family 'back home', but we lost that info in the fire. It has taken a great deal of research and running
down, as they are not a unified family, and are not in very good communication with each other. We have visited them in small groups and showed them the memorial tribute prepared by the funeral home last February.
Evelyn and Clarence Moos
We spent the 4th in Detroit Lakes, and lo and behold, "D-L" as the locals call it is Ft. Lauderdale in March - a scene of which I never planned on partaking. We did find a nice spot to watch the very nice fireworks display.
The sun sets over Greater Detroit Lake on Independence Day, 2006