Flat Iron Building - Minot, Ward County

The Flat Iron Building stood on the corner of Central Avenue and Broadway in Minot within a district listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Constructed in the early 20th century, the Flat Iron Building had served as a newspaper office, library, and as commercial space. It was an excellent example of early 20th century commercial design style, which is known for a more restrained and abstract use of decoration and detail.

The Flat Iron Building is probably best known for its unique shape. The height and length of the building is similar to store fronts on many North Dakota streets, but step to the side, and you’ll see how "flat" the building actually is. The layout of doors and windows on the street side reveal the building’s former commercial use. It is two stories high above ground, and also has two stories below ground.

The City of Minot marked this building for demolition. Creative Restoration Company, a local coalition, had hoped to restore the building and develop a restoration Plan. Deb Carroll of Minot, spokeswoman for Creative Restoration Company, co-created an affiliate group under Preservation North Dakota to aid in preservation efforts. Despite all their efforts, the Flat Iron Building was demolished November 12, 2008.

Crying Hill - Mandan, Morton County

Crying Hill rises above the surrounding plains on the east side of Mandan, ND. The highest point in the area, Crying Hill has been sought out for centuries as a place of prayer, fasting, solace, and spiritual inspiration. In addition to the symbolic significance of being closer to the Creator, standing on Crying Hill provides a beautiful and practical place to view the surrounding area.

The Mandan, Hidatsa, Lakota, Dakota, and Arikara peoples have a deep spiritual connection to Crying Hill. Crying Hill means something different to each individual who experiences it. These experiences have been preserved in historic documents as well as the oral traditions of Native American elders and local residents.

Crying Hill is a significant Native American landmark within the Mandan-Bismarck city limits. It was part of the original Mandan village, a site visited by the Verendrye expedition, one of the earliest known European explorations in the area. It is still used today by regional Native Americans, by other cultural and religious groups and by local residents.

The site is threatened by urban expansion, development and encroachment. It is essential that the site be protected before further development in the area destroys the landscape beyond recognition.

Patrick Atkinson of Mandan has led preservation efforts by purchasing the land, creating an ecumenical, nonpolitical community coalition, and making "Crying Hill" a registered trademark to protect the integrity of the name. Crying Hill’s preservation coalition is committed to preserving the property from private urban development, to develop and promote Native American historical awareness in the area, and to provide a public access area that will improve the economic, educational, spiritual, physical, and cultural well-being of the community, its children, and their families.

North Dakota Grain Elevators - Statewide

Grain elevators are fundamentally significant to the history of North Dakota, and the entire Great Plains region. At one time the various wood and metal structures, visible for miles, served as economic pillars for almost every community in the state. While agricultural technology has evolved to the point where modern semi-trucks haul grain for miles to huge cement elevators, it wasn't that long ago when one could pass an elevator in any town and see a long line of grain trucks with an assortment of farm wives, kids, and hired men waiting to unload the grain truck.

These structures are deteriorating now from lack of use, and their architectural and cultural significance is in danger of being lost forever. At one time, these structures were at the center of state and national attention as radical farmers, fighting against the railroad monopolies, formed cooperatives and lobbied for state-run elevators to combat what they felt were excessive prices and corruption.

Grain elevators can be difficult to maintain. They often serve a limited purpose, and can be costly and difficult to repurpose for alternate use. Not every elevator can and should be saved. However, the structures are so fundamentally significant to state and regional history, that an inventory should be conducted to determine how many of these structures are still standing, what condition they are in, and which ones could be salvaged, either as simple visual artifacts on the landscape, or as structures with an alternate use.

2008 HONORABLE MENTION

Can Pile - Casselton, Cass County

The Can Pile in Casselton is not exactly a piece of art, even to modern eyes, but it has a fascinating story to tell. The Can Pile began with Max Taubert’s entrepreneurial spirit. A bachelor and World War I veteran, Taubert opened his gas station, the Brick House, in 1933. Business boomed thanks to truckers headed to the West Fargo meatpacking plant, and the can pile is lasting evidence of Taubert’s success. In 1936, Taubert added a lunch counter to his establishment, which soon became famous for the Brick House special, two hamburger patties with a large slice of onion garnished with pickles and mustard.

Preserving the Can Pile in Casselton is important because of the wealth of story and local folk lore attached. The Can Pile has also attracted a lot of attention for the city, especially as grassroots, experiential tourism is on the rise. It has become noticed by people across the country interested in roadside Americana, and it is appearing in more and more guides for travelers, especially in the Internet-based guides. In a way, Taubert’s entrepreneurial spirit is still alive in his Can Pile – a structure that encourages those in search of genuine Americana to pull over and spend some time and money in Casselton.

Preservation North Dakota, the statewide, grassroots, historic preservation organization brought its Prairie Places Heritage tour to the Casselton community in 2005. Highlights of that tour included a visit to the one-of-a-kind Casselton Can Pile. The Can Pile was a favorite among participants, and is becoming noticed by aficionados of roadside Americana. Grassroots efforts are currently underway to explore the options available in preserving the Can Pile.