Title: Grand Forks Commercial Club Records, 1904-1948

ID: OGLMC415

Primary Creator: Grand Forks Commercial Club (1904-1932)

Extent: 0.5 Linear Feet

Subjects: Grand Forks - Business

Languages: English

The Grand Forks Commercial Club grew out of efforts of the Pioneer Club. Formed in 1883 to “promote social intercourse, literature, and art amongst its members,” the Pioneer Club provided “reading, chess, billiards, and smoking rooms in a lavish Victorian setting.” All of its fifty-five charter members were businessmen.

The Grand Forks Commercial Club was founded in 1904, with most of its members taken from the Pioneer Club. According to its By-Laws, the Grand Forks Commercial Club was founded to “promote the progress, extension, and increase of trade” in Grand Forks, as well as to gather and disseminate economic information. The club also sought to foster “patriotism and loyalty to the city, and in every way encourage the growth, development and upbuilding of Grand Forks.”

The Commercial Club brought about its aims through the publication of promotional brochures and political lobbying. The group also pushed the city government to make infrastructure improvements including the construction of new roads, bridges, and airports. The Commercial Club also brought various conventions to the city and helped to establish a Community Chest, which financed social services in Grand Forks. By 1932, the name of the group had changed to the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, which it is still known as today.

Source: Grand Forks: A Pictorial History, by D. Jerome Tweton. Norfolk: Donning Co., 1986.

Grand Forks - Business

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

Accruals: Additional materials were received from the Grand Forks Chamber of Commerce, August 1984 (84-1324) and from Darrel Koehler, Grand Forks Herald, December 9, 1994 (94-1981)

Access Restrictions: Open for inspection under the rules and regulations of the Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections.

Acquisition Method: Donation; The acquisition records are unavailable.

Related Publications: Articles of Incorporation By-Laws: Lists of Officers and Committees, Reports of Officers and Lists of Members of the Grand Forks Commercial Club, undated [ca. 1906], HF296 .G7 G7 1906

Preferred Citation: (Description of Item).Grand Forks Commercial Club Records. OGLMC 415, Box #, Folder #. Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Finding Aid Revision History: Finding aid added to Archon in October 2013.