MOORHEAD’S SALOON DISTRICT

In 1889, North Dakota entered the union as a dry state. The state’s Constitution contained a provision requiring the closing of all saloons on June 30, 1890. As of that date, thirsty North Dakotans filled the Red River bridges as they flocked to the Minnesota side. A thriving saloon district quickly sprang up on the banks of the Red. To be as close to North Dakota as possible, several saloons were built on piers and actually hung out over the river. The saloon business boomed until 1915 when Clay County finally went dry. Today, except for lingering rumors of bawdy houses and connecting tunnels, all that remains is the occasional broken bottle eroding from the river bank.