Forklore: A Brief History of Grand Forks

When you think of the history of Grand Forks it’s probably the most recent history or what was lived through, in other words the flood of ’97. While it was historic and the catalyst for many changes to the city in the last 25+ years, I’m going set that to the side and explore some of the deeper history that shaped Grand Forks long before then.

Breakfast has been called the most important meal of the day for decades, be it eggs and bacon, cereal, toast, a hearty scrambler from local favorites like Darcy’s, or the Roadhouse Café. One of America’s most popular breakfasts got its start right here in Grand Forks. Debuting at the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Cream of Wheat took the stage.

Born out of the economic depression earlier that same year the Diamond Milling Company was looking for ways to innovate as flour was no longer in high demand and the price was slashed in an effort to increase sales – which, fortunately didn’t work. Tom Amidon had the idea to make porridge from the “middlings” of the wheat berry that wasn’t used in flour production.

They mailed ten handmade boxes of the new Cream of Wheat to the company’s brokers in New York, along with the regular flour shipment. Within hours they received an urgent telegram asking for an additional fifty boxes. When they arrived at the office the next morning, a second telegram was waiting for them that exclaimed, “FORGET THE FLOUR. SEND US A CAR OF CREAM OF WHEAT.”

Four years later they had outgrown their Grand Forks facility and moved to Minneapolis, expanding again to a third facility in 1927. Over the years they were eventually bought by Nabisco and then Kraft and finally B&G Foods for $200 million in 2007. While Cream of Wheat may have quickly outgrown its Grand Forks roots, it is safe to say that without the Red River Valley’s resources, many of America’s breakfast tables would’ve been a much less tasty place.

Cream of Wheat isn’t the only unique product to come out of Grand Forks and North Dakota as a whole. However farming and the spirit of supporting your neighbors is a strong through line. As of 2025 North Dakota is in last place to run its own state-run flour mill and bank.

Both the bank and mill were the results of out of state transportation and milling companies using unfair business practices to gouge local farmers. First the Bank of North Dakota was established in 1919 via legislative action that  hoped to improve agriculture, commerce, and industry in North Dakota with access to local lines of credit.

Not only was this a success but in the 106 years of its existence it has not once failed to turn a profit! In addition, it has steadfastly stood by the people of North Dakota through a multitude of national storms. During the Great Depression it fully paid teachers’ warrants of payment instead of taking 15% out of their payments as was standard at other institutions.

In the 1940’s it began the practice of selling farmland back to families that had their property foreclosed on at below-market prices. In 1967 it led the way in providing education opportunities by funding the first federally insured student loan to then 18-year-old Gary Porter.

As for the North Dakota Mill and Elevator, it was built and became fully operational in 1922. This was in response to out-of-state business practices that were severely hampering and harming local wheat farmers. The large elevator you can see from miles away (thanks flatlands of North Dakota!) can hold 5.3 million bushels of wheat to farmers, country elevators and government agencies.

Fun tidbit: the Mill receives no funds or financial assistance from the State to subsidize its operations. In fact, in addition to supporting the Grand Forks economy to the tune of $16 million in payroll annually, it also contributes 50% of its profits to the North Dakota State general fund!

It does this primarily through 90% sales revenue to out-of-state customers via milled wheat products, pasta, retail products and food service providers who are looking for superior quality. Under the name Dakota Maid, you can find all-purpose and bread flour, bread and pancake mix on all over the region and expanding nationally.

Before the founding of Grand Forks as city, it was the ancestral homelands of the Pembina and Red Lake Bands of Ojibwe and the Dakota Oyate. It became an important meeting and trading spot for Native Americans and fur traders. Eventually French explorers and trappers named the area “Les Grandes Fourches” which translates to “The Grand Forks”. 

Unique compared to other cities in North Dakota, Grand Forks wasn’t started because of a railroad line but because it was an important steamboat port during the mid-19^th century. As a matter of fact, it is often said that Grand Forks’ selection as a suitable site for a town involved a boat race and barrels of alcohol just as winter was really setting in. The story goes that Captain Alexander Griggs had made a bet with another Captain to reach Fort Gary (which would eventually grow into Winnipeg, Manitoba) first.

Apparently, neck-in-neck the other steamboat decided to start shedding weight to pull ahead, they did this by tossing barrels of alcohol overboard (the winning prize must have been something good!) and Captain Griggs noticed what was not at their disposal. He decided that the race was lost, gathered the floating barrels and docked on the shore of the Red River near the trading post to stay the night and partake in their newfound treasure. When they woke the next morning, the river had frozen, making the trip north impossible until next spring.

Upon building a temporary shed to winter in and surveying the area he decided that the area would be an ideal spot for a town. When spring rolled around, he claimed nine acres as the townsite and would eventually grow into what is now Downtown Grand Forks.

Historically speaking, a boat captain would be highly unlikely to throw barrels of alcohol overboard just to win a bet. As far as I can find there is no record of a boat race or any undue influence on Capt. Griggs to stop.

The most likely – albeit boring – reason he stopped is his crew needed a rest, and it was a well-known point for trade and was at least somewhat prepared for an overnight stay. The boat he was using was a flatboat which was essentially a large tub with a hull. It used the current of the river to move a long and two large paddles to steer, which makes the likelihood of a race even more impractical.

In truth Grand Forks was founded as most frontier towns were, someone with an eye for opportunity saw a chance, took it and called the right shot. As much fun and colorful as a boat race and tossed barrels of alcohol is, Grand Forks stands on its own as testament to Capt. Griggs and the early settlers who saw the river, farmland and natural wonder for what it was.

A few more things you might want to dig into if the above have got you diving for more Grand Forks history:

• The University of North Dakota has a few surprising and not so surprising factoids like: Phil Jackson of Chicago Bulls/LA Lakers fame got his start on the UND basketball team
• UND Hockey in general is a hours long digital trip with its varied, colorful championship history.
• The Aerospace program started with 2 faculty and 2 aircraft in 1968 and has grown to 120+ aircraft with a student body of 2k.
• If spooky is more your vibe, the Downtown Development Association hosts a Ghostly Walking tour downtown and there is a plethora of ghost stories amid the local theaters and old UND buildings.

With over 120 years of history there is a little something for everyone, dig in the past yourself or reach out to the Grand Forks County Historical Society!