Title: Alexander Griggs Papers

ID: OGLMC1500

Extent: 2.0 Linear Feet

Date Acquired: 10/07/2005

Subjects: Exploration, Grand Forks, Transportation - Steamboats

Regarded as the founder of Grand Forks, Alexander D. Griggs was born October 27, 1838, to William and Esther (McGibbon) Griggs in Marietta, Ohio. About two years after his birth, the family moved to Grant County, Wisconsin, and then, in 1849, to St. Paul, Minnesota. As a youth, he was employed as a cabin boy on steamboats. By the age of 20, Griggs was a steamboat captain on the Mississippi River. He later became acquainted with James J. Hill, the railroad magnate, and together they formed Hill, Griggs & Company for transporting supplies on the Red River.

Griggs first came to the location of Grand Forks when his steamboat was trapped in the ice during the winter of 1870-71. He constructed a modest cabin and, in 1875, purchased the land that was to become the original townsite of Grand Forks. Captain Griggs held various positions in Grand Forks, including as mayor (1888-1890), and was involved with several business ventures. He also served as one of the first county commissioners when Grand Forks County was organized in 1874. Griggs was a member of the North Dakota constitutional convention of 1889. About 1891, due to health issues and the urging of James J. Hill, Captain Griggs moved west to Washington and established the Columbia and Okanogan Steamboat Company. He and his family eventually settled in the town of Wenatchee. Griggs suffered a stroke and died the following day, January 25, 1903, at his home.

Griggs married Henrietta "Ettie" Ione Strong December 27, 1865, in Le Sueur, Minnesota. Together they had eight children, although one son, Charles, died in infancy. Four of the children became involved in the steamboat business of their father.

To honor Alexander Griggs as the founder of Grand Forks, a statue of him stands on the grounds of the Grand Forks County Courthouse. The statue was dedicated May 23, 2001. Another statue of Griggs (installed 1997) is located in Wenatchee, Washington.

Exploration
Grand Forks
Transportation - Steamboats

Repository: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections

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

Acquisition Source: Sydney Ranney, Chelan, WA

Acquisition Method: Donation; 2006-2809

Separated Materials:

The painting of the Griggs home in Grand Forks has been added to the UND Art Collections.

Eight books have been withdrawn from the collection (see list below). Most will be cataloged.

1. The Charter, with the amendments thereto, and revised ordinances of the City of Grand Forks, Dakota Territory, with Legislative Enactments, relating to municipal corporations (1882)

2. Territory of Dakota. First Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Immigration and Statistician. 1885-6.

3. Territory of Dakota. Second Biennial Report of the Commissioner of Immigration and Statistician. 1887-8.

4. First Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the Territory of Dakota, for the year ending June 30th, 1885 (two copies)

5. Second Annual Report of the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the Territory of Dakota, for year ending June 30, 1886.

6.

Preferred Citation: Elwyn B. Robinson Department of Special Collections, Chester Fritz Library, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks.

Processing Information: Collection processed in March 2023.