Fargo Theatre

Construction of the Fargo Theatre began on September 15, 1925. It is located on the former site of a fruit store known as the Idlekope Building. When the Fargo Theatre was completed six months later in March 1926, it became Fargo’s premiere cinema house. On opening day in March 15, 1926, the vaudeville hit “Man on the Box” played. In 1937, the theatre underwent an art deco renovation.

A second major renovation started in the 1980s and was completed in 1999. It is now the center of Fargo’s art and film scene. It is the area's last remaining vintage film place and vaudeville stage. The theatre serves as a multipurpose facility showing films, live productions and meetings. It also houses a restored theatre pipe organ called the "Might Wurlitzer".

The Fargo Theatre is one of the most photographed and filmed buildings in Fargo thanks to its iconic marquee which has been used as the backdrop for ESPN’s College Gameday broadcast.

Sources:

1. Fargo Historic Preservation Commission. A Look Around Downtown: Fargo Heritage Discovery Walk. Second. Fargo, North Dakota: Fargo-Moorhead Heritage Society, 2006.
2. “Fargo Theatre | Fargo History.” Accessed November 28, 2016. https://library.ndsu.edu/fargo-history/?q=content/fargo-theatre.
3. “Our Story - T F Powers Construction Co - Fargo, ND.” TF Powers Construction Co. Accessed November 21, 2016. http://www.tfpowers.com/our-story/.
4. Troy Larson. Fargo Moorhead Lost and Found: Vintage Views and Local History from the Gateway to the West. Fargo, North Dakota: Sonic Tremor Media, 2016.
5. Tim Holzkamm, and Dean Dormanen. The History and Growth of the City of Fargo: Historic Context Study. Edited by David B. Danbom. Fargo, North Dakota: Fargo Historic Preservation Commission, 2001.

Photo Sources:

1. “Fargo Theatre, Fargo, N.D. :: Photo Gallery - Images from the NDSU Institute for Regional Studies (NDSU).” Accessed November 21, 2016. http://cdm16921.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/uw/id/7544.
2. “Welcome: About.” Accessed November 28, 2016. http://www.fargotheatre.org/about
3. Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU (2022.10.2)
4. Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU, Fargo (51.171.1)
5. Institute for Regional Studies, NDSU, Fargo (2006.29.23)