On this day in 1927, The Fargo Forum formally opened its new three-story building at the corner of 5th Street and 1st Avenue North, in Fargo. 7,000 visitors toured all parts of the facility, including the third floor, which was leased to the Bell Telephone Company.

The Forum described its new building as “one of the most modern plants of its kind in the northwest.” Fargo architect William F. Kurke designed and supervised the construction of the $200,000 project, which at that time included three levels.

An extensive Souvenir Edition published by The Forum a week earlier prophetically noted, “The footings and columns were designed to sustain the load of five stories.” The building still serves The Forum today. If you look carefully, you can see a line where two stories were added in 1938.

Sources:
“7,000 at Forum Open House.” The Fargo Forum & Daily Tribune 23 Jan. 1927: 1.
Strobridge, Stuart. “Modern Newspaper Plant Is Tribute to Community It Serves.” The Fargo Forum – Souvenir Edition 18 Jan. 1927: 1.
http://www.fargo-history.com/first-avenue/forum2.htm

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