What Minot is known for

Located primarily in the state of North Dakota is the Minot Destination. Minot, the namesake of the destination, is the county seat of Ward County. Known for its Air Force base located 15 miles north of the city, Minot serves as a trading center for northern North Dakota, southwestern Manitoba, and southeastern Saskatchewan. Nicknamed the "Magic City" due to its rapid growth in size, Minot was founded in 1886 during the construction of the Great Northern Railway. It also serves as the principal city for the Minot micropolitan area, covering McHenry, Renville, and Ward counties, with a combined population of 77,546 people. As an evolving city, Minot offers a range of amenities, business opportunities, and cultural experiences. Its historical ties to the railway and regional significance are often a notable draw for visitors.[1]

Minot, North Dakota, is a city with various attractions. The North Dakota State Fair, presumably the state's largest event, takes place annually and draws visitors to the region. Tourists can explore the Roosevelt Park Zoo and the Scandinavian Heritage Park, featuring a replica of the Gol Stave Church. The Magic City Discovery Center offers over 150 interactive experiences for families. Minot boasts a 65-piece symphony orchestra and hosts the Norsk Høstfest, reportedly the largest Scandinavian festival in North America.[2] Dakota Territory Air Museum is another attraction in the region, deemed “one of the largest aviation museums in North America.” The museum has been in operation since 1986 and currently offers access to about 60 vintage aircraft.[3]

As the state's fourth-largest city, Minot, North Dakota, has a population of 46,772 people. It has experienced a decline of -1.07% annually and a -3.18% decrease since the 2020 census. The city spans 27 miles with a population density of 1,716 people per square mile. Minot's racial composition is 84.09% White, 5.21% Black or African American, 4.67% two or more races, 2.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 1.72% other races, and 0.31% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander.[4]

Also located in the region is the Spirit Lake Tribe, formerly known as Devils Lake Sioux Tribe, which is a federally recognized tribe residing on the Spirit Lake Dakota Reservation in east-central North Dakota. The reservation spans about 495 square miles, mainly in Benson and Eddy counties, with smaller portions in Ramsey, Wells, and Nelson counties. Established in 1867 through a treaty between Sisseton-Wahpeton Bands and the U.S. government, the tribe consists of the Pabaksa (Iháŋkthuŋwaŋna), Sisseton (Sisíthuŋwaŋ), and Wahpeton (Waȟpéthuŋwaŋ) bands of the Dakota tribe. With 7,256 enrolled members as of 2014, 3,587 individuals, including non-tribal members, resided on the reservation during the 2010 census. The largest community within the reservation is Fort Totten.[5]

Another federally recognized reservation in the area is the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. It is home to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nations, known as the Three Affiliated Tribes. Spanning both sides of the Missouri River, the reservation was created in 1870. It represents a relatively small portion of the original land designated to the tribes under the Fort Laramie Treaty of 1851, which allocated around 12 million acres across multiple states. The tribal headquarters is located in New Town, a notable city within the reservation.[6]

Geography

Various cities and natural attractions are located within the Minot Destination. The destination is located primarily in North Dakota, with the northern edge comprising the United States border with Canada. Cities in the region include Minot itself, in addition to Towner, Burlington, Pick City, Grand Forks, and Nekoma. Other notable inhabited areas include the Spirit Lake Reservation and the Fort Berthold Reservation. There are two larger lakes in the area, namely Devils Lake and Lake Sakakawea.

North Dakota, in general, has various types of carnivores that live within the destination, in addition to other parts of the state. Such wildlife includes the American Marten, badgers, black bears, black-footed ferrets, bobcats, coyotes, fishers, gray foxes, and the gray wolf, to name a few.[7]

Minot, North Dakota, is situated in the Drift Prairie region of north-central North Dakota, encompassing an area of approximately 14.6 square miles. The city is predominantly land, with the Souris River, surrounding oxbow lakes, and a few creeks comprising just 0.14% of the total landmass. At the city center, the elevation of the river is 1,556 feet, while the Minot International Airport on "North Hill" sits at an elevation of 1,716 feet. Minot is located along the Souris River, about 30 kilometers from its southernmost point near Velva. Eventually, the river veers northwest and converges with the Assiniboine River, which flows into Hudson Bay.[8]

The climate throughout the Minot Destination is characterized by warm summers and freezing, snowy winters, specifically in Minot. Temperatures range from 5°F to 83°F, with fairly rare extremes below -16°F or above 92°F. The best time to visit for warm-weather activities is from late June to late August, based on the tourism score for the area that was provided by Weather Spark. Summers last 3.8 months, with July typically being the hottest month (average high of 82°F). Winters span about 3.5 months, and January tends to be the coldest month (average low of 6°F). Minot experiences a partly cloudy sky year-round.[9]

History

Minot, the namesake of the destination, was established in 1886 when the Great Northern Railway laid tracks in the area, leading to the fairly rapid growth of a tent town and earning Minot the nickname "Magic City." The city was officially incorporated in 1887. Over the years, Minot faced various challenges and significant events. These included the expansion of the Soo Line railroad in 1893, federal funding for the construction of Minot Air Force Base and Garrison Dam in the 1950s, and a devastating tornado in 1920. The Prohibition era brought illegal activities to Minot, earning it the nickname "Little Chicago." The city also endured natural disasters such as the 1969 flood and the historic Souris River flood in 2011, causing extensive damage. In 2002, a train derailment resulted in an anhydrous ammonia spill.[1]

The Spirit Lake Tribe is also located in the region and was originally called the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe. The reservation was initially known as the Fort Totten Indian Reservation but was later renamed the Devils Lake Sioux Reservation. In the 1970s, it briefly adopted the name Sisseton-Wahpeton of North Dakota, causing confusion with another tribe. Eventually, in 1993, the tribe officially adopted its current name. The name "Devils Lake" originates from the Dakota words meaning "pure source" or "sacred," reflecting the tribe's belief in the lake's significance. The tribe's leadership structure and status were impacted by historical events, including the Dakota War of 1862.[5]

Fort Berthold Indian Reservation holds significance as Indian territory for the Three Tribes recognized in the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1851. Established by the U.S. government in 1870, the reservation was named after Fort Berthold, an Army fort located along the northern bank of the Missouri River. Over time, the tribes' land holdings were reduced due to various executive orders and agreements. Despite the government's efforts to promote individual allotments and subsistence farming, the tribe has maintained communal holdings and resisted the widespread distribution of individual land parcels. The reservation's population was 6,341 people according to the 2010 census, with a relatively large number of members residing in urban areas. Construction of the Garrison Dam and Lake Sakakawea in the mid-20th century flooded a significant portion of tribal lands, impacting the Three Affiliated Tribes' economy.[6]