Edinburg ND

The Fire of 1900

Edinburgh’s Transformation

Devastation and Loss

In the early years of Edinburgh’s development, the town experienced its greatest disaster. On April 20, 1900, a devastating fire swept through the entire business district. Within just two hours, flames consumed every commercial structure, except for Christian Buck’s office, one grain elevator, and the mill.

The fire began behind Flaten Drug, where strong southern winds quickly fanned the flames. Residents had only moments to escape their buildings, leaving little time to salvage belongings. Tragically, Mrs. Julius Bjornson and Mrs. Jacob Lindal, who lived in an apartment above Field’s Store, lost their lives. Numerous homes also burned, forcing many residents to seek refuge in the Methodist Church, which now stands in the city park.

Although a large cistern located near the hotel was intended to provide fire protection, the fire spread so rapidly that it rendered the water source inaccessible.

Immediate Recovery and Rebuilding

Despite the heavy losses, community members acted swiftly. Before the ruins had even stopped smoldering, they held mass meetings to assess the damage and organize a response. Residents quickly decided to rebuild.

Within a year, most businesses had been reconstructed. The new buildings were larger, more modern, and better planned, contributing to a more efficient street layout and infrastructure than the town had previously known.

Cordelia’s Store, built by Mr. Barsness, was among the first new structures. Anton Swensrud rented the space for use as a confectionery and bowling alley.

Tragic Loss of Christian Buck

Around 1910, Christian Buck resided at the local hotel. One day, a stranger arrived. Without warning, the man, later identified as mentally unstable, shot and killed Buck as he exited his room. The community deeply mourned the loss of Buck, a respected and generous figure in Edinburg’s early history. He was buried in the southwest corner of the Edinburgh Cemetery.

Post-Fire Business Growth

Following the fire, new enterprises emerged across town. Notable businesses included:

  • Merchant’s Hotel
  • N.H. Johnston (Confectionery and Restaurant)
  • McEwan, Dougherty & Shuley (Farm Machinery and Hardware)
  • Duncan & Leslie
  • Edinburg Roller Mills
  • W.H. Murphy (Livery, Feed & Stables)
  • John H. Sundvor (General Merchandise)
  • J.I. Coffey (Clothing Store)
  • J. Thomasson (Meat Market)
  • Skjold and Goodman (Ladies’ Clothing Store)
  • Dr. David Bell (Physician and Surgeon, with an office above the State Bank Building)
  • The State Bank of Edinburg
  • The Merchants Bank of Edinburg

Lighting and Electrification

Early residents relied on candles, kerosene lamps, and gasoline lamps for lighting. Lob Johnson maintained the street lamps. Later, some farms and businesses installed Delco plants for electricity.

In 1919, Clarence Bjorneby introduced a 110-volt D.C. electrical plant. Using a steam threshing engine and lignite coal, he powered a dynamo located inside a garage built by Henning Gunhus. Steve Christianson oversaw operations until Otter Tail Power Company extended service to Edinburg in 1926.

The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) began building lines around 1942, bringing power to surrounding farms. By 1982, 100% of rural homes in the area were electrified.

Public Works and Infrastructure

In 1937, a WPA project initiated construction of the City Hall. Funded by the Community Club, local contributions, and personal donations, the project raised over $8,000. The hall was completed in 1938 and formally dedicated on October 18, 1939, with Governor John Moses and Thomas H. Moodie, State WPA Administrator, in attendance.

Edinburg saw multiple expansions over the years:

  • Flaten’s Addition (1898)
  • Grant’s Addition (1906)
  • Mooney and McHugh’s Addition (1910)
  • Gire Addition (1956)
  • Peterson Addition (1970)
  • Loe’s First Addition (1977)

In 1956, the town paved North Dakota State Highway 32 and streets in the business district. That same year, the town built a new fire hall and established a Sewer Improvement District, costing approximately $72,000. Engineering was provided by KBM & Associates, with work completed by Joe Mayo & Sons of Cavalier and Koenig Brothers of Webster, SD.

The Fire of 1976 and Bicentennial Celebration

On April 16, 1976, a second major fire struck Edinburg. It began at Marlin’s TV, spreading rapidly to the Edinburg Inn and Ron’s Hartz Store. Despite assistance from neighboring fire departments, all three businesses were lost.

Later that year, Edinburg hosted a Bicentennial celebration during the weekend of July 2, 1976. The event featured parades, exhibits, sports activities, a community tea, and a multi-faith church service. The celebration concluded with the dedication of a stone plaque at the original Edinburgh townsite, now part of the former Herman and Hilda Brevik farm.

Continued Improvements

The town constructed a new district fire hall in 1975 and added curbs, gutters, and paved streets in 1978, with a total project cost of $320,819. KBM & Associates again served as engineers, with Mayo Brothers of Cavalier acting as prime contractors. Subcontractors included Border States (Fargo) and Olafson Brothers (Edinburg).

In the same year, Edinburg joined Consolidated Landfill Limited, a cooperative organization with six other towns. Since then, the city has maintained weekly garbage collection through this regional service.