Fargo, North Dakota
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/* Notable local companies */ remove external links; wikify 'em; lots of redlinks...
{{Infobox Settlement
|official_name = City of Fargo
|settlement_type = [[City]]
|nickname =
|motto = Gateway to the West
|image_skyline = Fargo North Dakota.jpg
|imagesize = 250x200px
|image_caption = Downtown Fargo in 2007
|image_flag =
|image_seal = CityOfFargoLogo.png
|image_map = NDMap-doton-Fargo.PNG
|mapsize = 250px
|map_caption = Location in [[North Dakota]]
|image_map1 =
|mapsize1 =
|map_caption1 =
|subdivision_type = [[List of countries|Country]]
|subdivision_type1 = [[Political divisions of the United States|State]]
|subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in North Dakota|County]]
|subdivision_name = [[United States]]
|subdivision_name1 = [[North Dakota]]
|subdivision_name2 = [[Cass County, North Dakota|Cass]]
|government_type =
|leader_title = [[Mayor]]
|leader_name = [[Dennis Walaker]]
|established_title = Founded
|established_date = 1871
|area_magnitude =
|area_total_sq_mi = 37.9
|area_total_km2 = 98.3
|area_land_sq_mi = 37.9
|area_land_km2 = 98.3
|area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
|area_water_km2 = 0.0
|area_urban_sq_mi =
|area_urban_km2 =
|area_metro_sq_mi =
|area_metro_km2 =
|population_as_of = 2000
|population_note =
|population_total = 90,599
|population_metro = 174367
|population_urban =
|population_density_km2 = 922.0
|population_density_sq_mi = 2388.2
|population_blank1_title =
|population_blank1 =
|population_note =
|timezone = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
|utc_offset = -6
|timezone_DST = [[North American Central Time Zone|CDT]]
|utc_offset_DST = -5
|latd = 46 |latm = 52 |lats = 38 |latNS = N
|longd = 96 |longm = 47 |longs = 22 |longEW = W
|elevation_m = 274
|elevation_ft = 904
|website = http://www.cityoffargo.com
|postal_code_type =
|postal_code =
|area_code = [[Area code 701|701]]
|blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info = 38-25700{{GR|2}}
|blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info = 1028945{{GR|3}}
|footnotes =
}}
'''Fargo''' is a city in [[Cass County, North Dakota|Cass County]], [[North Dakota]] in the [[United States]]. It is the [[county seat]] of Cass County, located in the [[Red River Valley]] region. The population was 90,599 at the 2000 census, but has since risen to around 100,000, making it the largest city in North Dakota. Along with [[West Fargo, North Dakota]] and [[Moorhead, Minnesota]], it forms the center of the [[Fargo-Moorhead]] Metropolitan Area. The metropolitan area, comprising all of Cass and Clay counties, has a population of 174,367<ref name="MSA">{{cite news|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/DTTable?_bm=y&-context=dt&-ds_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U&-CONTEXT=dt&-mt_name=DEC_2000_SF1_U_P001&-tree_id=4001&-redoLog=false&-all_geo_types=N&-_caller=geoselect&-geo_id=38000US2520&-search_results=38000US2520&-format=&-_lang=en|title=2000 Fargo--Moorhead, ND--MN MSA}}</ref> as of 2000 census, and estimated to have risen to 192,779 as of the 2007 Census Bureau estimate. It encompasses a large physical area of Cass County in southeastern North Dakota and Clay County in northwestern Minnesota.
The city of Fargo is the crossroads and economic center of a large portion of eastern North Dakota and a portion of northwestern [[Minnesota]]. Fargo is a retail, manufacturing, healthcare, and educational hub for the region. Fargo is home to [[North Dakota State University]]. The local newspaper is ''[[The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead]]''. The city motto is "Gateway to the West". Fargo was founded in 1871.
==History==
===Early history===
The area that is present-day Fargo was an early stopping point for [[steamboat]]s floating down the [[Red River of the North|Red River]] during the 1870s and 1880s. The city of Fargo was originally named "Centralia," but was later renamed to "Fargo" in honor of [[Northern Pacific Railway]] director and [[Wells Fargo]] Express Company founder [[William Fargo]]. Fargo was founded in 1871. The area started to flourish after the arrival of the railroad and the city became known as the "Gateway to the West".
During the 1880s, Fargo became the "divorce capital" of the [[Midwestern United States|Midwest]] due to very lenient [[divorce]] laws.<ref>Riley, G (1991). Divorce: An American Tradition. Oxford University Press</ref>
A major fire struck the city on [[June 7]], [[1893]] when the proprietor of a grocery store accidentally started the blaze as she emptied ashes behind her store on a windy day. The fire destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses. However, Fargo was quickly rebuilt with new buildings made of brick, new streets, and a water system. The North Dakota State Agricultural College was founded in 1890 as [[North Dakota]]'s [[land-grant university]], becoming first accredited by the [[North Central Association]] in 1915. In 1960, NDAC became known as [[North Dakota State University]].
===The 20th Century===
Early in the century, the [[automobile industry]] flourished, and in 1905, Fargo was home to [[Pence Automobile Company]].<ref>Clymer, Floyd. ''Treasury of Early American Automobiles, 1877-1925'' (New York: Bonanza Books, 1950), p.205.</ref>
[[Fargo-Moorhead]] boomed after [[World War II]] and the city grew rapidly despite being hit by a [[1957 Fargo tornado|violent tornado in 1957]]. The tornado destroyed a large portion of the north end of the city. The coming of the two interstates ([[Interstate 29|I-29]] and [[Interstate 94|I-94]]) revolutionized travel in the region and pushed growth of Fargo to the south and west of the city limits. In 1972, the [[West Acres Shopping Center]] was constructed near the intersection of the two Interstates. This mall would become the catalyst for retail growth in the area. It would also spell the beginning of a time of decline for the downtown area of Fargo.
===Recent history===
[[Image:Fargo North Dakota Broadway.jpg|thumb|300px|Broadway in downtown Fargo in 2007]]
In recent years, Fargo has seen relatively strong growth both in population and economic activity. Several businesses now have major operations in the community including [[Microsoft]], [[Alien Technology]], [[Navteq]] and [[Pracs Institute|PRACS Institute]]. The city's major retail districts on the southwest side have seen rapid expansion as has the downtown area due, at least in part, to investments made by the city and private developers in the Renaissance Zone. City leaders would like to see an addition of five-hundred new housing units in the downtown area within the next five years. Planning agencies have also been active in promoting housing rehabilitation in older sections of the city such as the Roosevelt neighborhood to stem blight and strengthen the core of the city. Indeed, during the 1990s most inner city neighborhoods such as Hawthorne, Jefferson, and Horace Mann actually lost population even as rapid growth occurred along the edges of the city in sprawling new developments. As Fargo has grown and matured, however, the city has placed a growing emphasis on long-range urban planning. Furthermore, several developers desiring to bring in additional "big box" retail stores on the far south end of Fargo have been rebuffed by planning officials and nearby residents alike arguing that the developments do not conform to new long-range planning guidelines.
Since the late 1990s, the Fargo-Moorhead [[United States metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]] has consistently had one of the lowest unemployment rates among MSAs in the [[United States]]. This, coupled with Fargo's low crime rate and the decent supply of affordable housing in the community, has prompted ''[[Money (magazine)|Money]]'' magazine to rank the city near the top of its annual list of America's most livable cities throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Fargo was also awarded in 2006 for having some of the cleanest air in the United States, for a city of its size.
Nevertheless, Fargo in the early 21st century faces some challenges. Articles published in the summer of 2006 by ''The Forum'', have noted that the supply of affordable housing in the city is shrinking due to area wages and incomes not rising as fast as housing costs in the city.
Moreover, research conducted by the North Dakota State Data Center and the U.S. Census Bureau document that the city's population growth may be stalling after decades of steady growth. In fact, 2005 census estimates showed a decrease in the population of Fargo proper, albeit an increase in the metro area as a whole. These numbers, however, have been disputed by city officials as the Census Bureau in recent years has been faulted for significantly underestimating the population of some North Dakota cities. Be this as it may, Richard Rathge, the state demographer, has warned that Fargo may very well be losing its primary pool of new migrants as outlying areas of North Dakota, traditionally the geographic area upon which Fargo draws for new migrants, have been rapidly declining in population for decades. In fact, Fargo, for the last two decades, has relied upon international migration for a very large proportion of its new in-migration. Overall, the population of Fargo has been estimated at 90,934 (2006 estimate), but city officials believe the number is closer to 96,000 or 97,000 people.
==Geography==
Fargo is located at {{coor dms|46|52|17|N|96|48|31|W|city}} (46.871414, -96.808658){{GR|1}}. Fargo is a core city of the [[Fargo-Moorhead]] metropolitan area which also includes Moorhead, West Fargo, and Dilworth as well as outlying communities.
Fargo sits on the western bank of the [[Red River of the North]] in a very flat region known as the [[Red River Valley]]. The Red River Valley was once a part of [[glacier|glacial]] [[Lake Agassiz]], which drained away about 9,300 years ago. The lake sediments deposited from Lake Agassiz made the land around Fargo some of the richest in the world for [[agriculture|agricultural]] uses. Early settlers sometimes called the Red River Valley a new "[[Garden of Eden]]".
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 98.3 km² (37.9 [[square mile|mi²]]), all land.
===Climate===
Due to its location in the [[Great Plains]] and its distance from both mountains and oceans, the city has an extreme continental climate. The city is known for its long, cold and snowy winters. In sharp contrast summers are warm to hot, and often quite humid with frequent thunderstorms. Spring and autumn are short and highly variable seasons.
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;width:100%;border:0px;text-align:center;line-height:120%;"
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color: #000000" height="17" |Month
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Jan
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Feb
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Mar
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Apr
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | May
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Jun
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Jul
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Aug
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Sep
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Oct
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Nov
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" | Dec
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" |Avg high °F (°C)
| style="background: #007FFF; color:#000000;" | 16 (-9)
| style="background: #00FFFF; color:#000000;" | 23 (-5)
| style="background: #7FFFD4; color:#000000;" | 35 (2)
| style="background: #7FFF00; color:#000000;" | 54 (12)
| style="background: #FFBF00; color:#000000;" | 69 (21)
| style="background: #FF7518; color:#000000;" | 77 (25)
| style="background: #FF7518; color:#000000;" | 82 (28)
| style="background: #FF7518; color:#000000;" | 81 (27)
| style="background: #FFBF00; color:#000000;" | 70 (21)
| style="background: #FDE910; color:#000000;" | 56 (13)
| style="background: #7FFFD4; color:#000000;" | 35 (2)
| style="background: #00FFFF; color:#000000;" | 21 (-6)
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" height="16;" |Avg low temperature °F (°C)
| style="background: #FFF0F5; color: black;" | -2 (-19)
| style="background: #DA70D6; color: black;" | 5 (-15)
| style="background: #007FFF; color: black;" | 19 (-7)
| style="background: #00FFFF; color: black;" | 32 (0)
| style="background: #7FFF00; color: black;" | 45 (7)
| style="background: #7FFF00; color: black;" | 54 (12)
| style="background: #FDE910; color: black;" | 59 (15)
| style="background: #FDE910; color: black;" | 57 (14)
| style="background: #7FFF00; color: black;" | 46 (8)
| style="background: #7FFFD4; color: black;" | 34 (1)
| style="background: #00FFFF; color: black;" | 19 (-7)
| style="background: #DA70D6; color: black;" | 4 (-15)
|-
! style="background: #FFFFFF; color:#000000;" height="16;" | Precip in (mm)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.76 (19)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.59 (15)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 1.17 (28)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 1.37 (35)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 2.61 (66)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 3.51 (89)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 2.88 (73)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 2.52 (64)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 2.18 (55)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 1.97 (50)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 1.06 (27)
| style="text-align:center; background: #E8EAFA; color:#000000;" | 0.57 (14)
|-
| colspan="13" style="text-align:center;font-size:90%;"|''Source: MSN.com [http://weather.msn.com/local.aspx?wealocations=wc:USND0115]''
|}
==Demographics==
{{USCensusPop
|1900= 9589
|1910= 14331
|1920= 21961
|1930= 28619
|1940= 32580
|1950= 38256
|1960= 46662
|1970= 53365
|1980= 61383
|1990= 74111
|2000= 90599
|2007=99,000
}}
As of the [[census]]{{GR|2}} of 2000, there were 90,599 people (2005 Census Bureau estimate: 90,934<ref name = "census">{{cite news|url=http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/sdc/data/estimates/PlaceAddendum_Aug2006.pdf|title=State of North Dakota Data Center|date=[[2006-07-01]]}}</ref>), 39,268 households, and 20,733 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 922.0/km² (2,388.2/mi²). There were 41,200 housing units at an average density of 419.3/km² (1,086.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 94.17% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.02% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 1.24% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.64% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.44% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.29% of the population.
The top 6 ancestry groups in the city are [[Germany|German]] (40.6%), [[Norway|Norwegian]] (35.9%), [[Ireland|Irish]] (8.6%), [[Sweden|Swedish]] (6.5%), [[England|English]] (5.2%), [[France|French]] (4.7%).
There were 39,268 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 47.2% were non-families. 34.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the city the population was spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 19.2% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 10.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,510, and the median income for a family was $50,486. Males had a median income of $31,968 versus $22,264 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,101. About 6.6% of families and 11.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.
==Law and government==
[[Image:Cass County Courthouse Fargo.jpg|right|thumb|150px|Cass County Courthouse]]
Fargo uses the [[city commission]] style of local government. Four commissioners and a [[mayor]] are elected at large. The current mayor of Fargo is [[Dennis Walaker]], who was elected on [[June 13]], [[2006]]. The Fargo City Commission meets every two weeks in its chambers above the [[Fargo Civic Center]]. The meetings are broadcast on a local cable channel.
Although diverse politically, Fargo is by and large a Republican-leaning area. Democrats tend to do well in state elections in the older and established areas of Fargo (Districts 11 and 21), but Republicans dominate throughout much of the newer areas of the city. George W. Bush carried Fargo as well as the rest of Cass County in the 2004 presidential election, with nearly 60 percent of the vote in both areas. Although less Democratic-leaning than Grand Forks, Fargo is considerably more moderate/liberal than [[Bismarck, North Dakota|Bismarck]] where Democrats hold not a single seat in the state legislature. In the 2006 elections, several Fargo-area Republican incumbents to the state legislature were defeated.
{{See also|List of mayors of Fargo, North Dakota}}
==Economy==
The economy of the Fargo area has historically been dependent on [[agriculture]]. That dominance has decreased substantially in recent decades. Now, the city of Fargo has a growing economy based on food processing, manufacturing, technology, retail trade, higher education, and healthcare. The largest non-governmental employers in the city include [[MeritCare Health System]], [[Innovis Health]], [[Alien Technology]], [[Blue Cross]]/[[Blue Shield]], [[U.S. Bancorp|US Bank]], and [[Microsoft]]. [[North Dakota State University]] is the largest public sector employer in the city.
===Notable local companies===
*[[ABC Seamless]] - seamless steel siding company headquartered in Fargo
*[[Alien Technology]] - an [[Radio Frequency Identification|RFID]] manufacturer
*American Crystal Sugar Company
*Bank of the West, Service Center
*[[BBI International]] - a leading biofuels firm whose IT Operations Center is based in Fargo
*[[Cass-Clay|Cass-Clay Creamery]] - local creamery founded in 1934
*[[CNH Global]] - manufacturer of agricultural equipment
*[[Coffeehouse Translations, LLC]] - international translation and interpretation services
*[[Eide Bailly]] - top 25<ref name="Public Accounting Report’s—Top 100 for 2006
America’s 100 Largest Public Accounting Firms">{{cite news|url=http://www.eidebailly.com/about/firmranking.pdf|title=2006 IPA Firm Ranking}}</ref> national [[Certified Public Accountant|CPA]] firm headquartered in Fargo
*[[FBS Data Systems, Inc.]] - makers of "flexmls", software for a [[Multiple Listing Service]]
*[[Forum Communications]] - owns many regional newspapers, radio stations, and television stations
*[[Gate City Bank]]- Corporate headquarters for largest mutually owned bank in North Dakota
*[[Global Electric Motorcars]] - manufacturer of [[neighborhood electric vehicle]]s, and subsidiary of Chrysler
*[[Hornbacher's]] - local chain of supermarkets
*Innovis Health
*[[Microsoft]] - one of the company's campuses is located in Fargo (formerly Great Plains Software)
*Minnkota - window manufacturer
*[[NAVTEQ]] - a provider of [[Geographic Information Systems]]
*[[Noridian Mutual Insurance Company]] - insurance company, operator of Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota
*[[Phoenix International]] - a [[Deere & Company|John Deere]] Company, designs and manufactures electronics for on-road and off-road vehicles
*[[Pracs Institute|PRACS Institute, Ltd.]] - provider of medical testing
*Prairie St. John's
*[[Publication Services of America, Inc.]] - national magazine publisher of "From House To Home", "Better Health & Living", "de casa y HOGAR" and "Wedding Vow"
*[[RDO Equipment Company]] - regional chain of agricultural stores
*[[Scheels All Sports]] - regional chain of sporting goods stores
*[[SEI Information Technologies]] - call center, provides helpdesk support for food and service companies, operates remote drive-thrus for national chains including [[McDonald's]], and provides contracted employees to the local Microsoft branch.
*State Bank & Trust
*[[Sterling Security Research, Inc.]] - owner and operator of Secure-Tunnel.com, an online security and anonymity service.
*[[Titan Machinery]] - Chain of agricultural and construction machinery stores throughout the midwest.
*US Bank Service Center
*Wells Fargo Bank, N.A.
==Education==
===K-12===
The [[Fargo Public Schools]] system serves most of the city, operating fifteen elementary schools, three middle schools, two (soon to be three) high schools ([[Fargo North High School]], [[Fargo South High School]]), Ronald Davies High School (to open 2011), and an [[alternative high school]] (Woodrow Wilson). South Fargo ninth graders are temporarily going to South Campus II (former Agassiz Middle School) until Ronald Davies High School is built in south Fargo.
The [[West Fargo Public Schools]] system serves most of the southwestern part of the city.
Fargo is also home to three private school districts. The Fargo Catholic Schools Network operates Holy Spirit Elementary (North), Nativity Elementary (South), Sullivan Middle School, and Shanley High School. The Oak Grove Lutheran School District serves grades K-12 in the area. Grace Lutheran School serves grades Pre-Kindergarten though 8th grade.
===Higher education===
Fargo is home to [[North Dakota State University]] (NDSU) which has over 12,500 students. NDSU was founded in 1890 primarily as an agricultural school, but has since branched out to cover many other fields of study. NDSU is also a major research institute. Together, NDSU and the [[University of North Dakota]] make up the [[Red River Valley Research Corridor]].
Fargo is also home to several private institutions, including [[Aakers Business College]], a branch location of the [[University of Mary]], and [[Masters Baptist College]] operated by Fargo Baptist Church. Until recently, [http://www.msbcollege.edu Globe University/Minnesota School of Business] maintained a Fargo Student Resource Center, now replaced by the college's Moorhead campus.
==Culture==
[[Image:Fargo Theater.jpg|thumb|200px|Marquee of the Fargo Theater in downtown Fargo]]
Fargo offers a wide variety of cultural opportunities for a city of its size. This is likely due, in part, to the presence of three universities in the metropolitan area. Most theatre and events are either promoted or produced by the universities, although there are several private theatre companies in the city including Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre (FMCT), Theatre 'B' in downtown Fargo, Ursa Major Theatre Company, Music Theatre Fargo Moorhead, Tin Roof Theatre Company, The Entertainment Company and others. Music organizations in the metropolitan area include the [[Fargo-Moorhead Opera]], the Jazz Arts Group, the [[Fargo-Moorhead Symphony Orchestra]], and the Fargo-Moorhead Youth Symphony. Fargo also boasts a dance company in the Fargo Moorhead Ballet.
The [[Fargo Theatre]] is a restored 1926 [[Art Deco]] movie house that features first-run movies, film festivals, and other community events. The [[Fargodome]] routinely hosts concerts, [[Broadway musical]]s, dance performances, sporting events, as well as fairs and other gatherings.
The Plains Art Museum is the largest museum of art in the state. It is located in downtown Fargo and features regional and national exhibits. It also houses a large permanent collection of art. There are several other museums in Fargo including The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm [http://www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org/], The [[Fargo Air Museum]], The Courthouse Museum, The Roger Maris Museum in [[West Acres Shopping Center]], the [[North Dakota State University]] Wall of Fame in the [[Scheels All Sports]] store and the historic Bonanzaville village (West Fargo).
The Fargo Public Library [http://www.fargolibrary.org] was established in 1900 and for many years was housed in a Carnegie-funded building. In 1968, the library moved into a new facility as part of urban renewal efforts in the downtown area. In 2002, the Fargo Public Library established the first branch library in North Dakota with the opening of the Southpointe Branch. In 2004, voters passed an 18-month sales tax measure for new library facilities with 62% of voters in favor. The new Northport Branch opened in 2006 and serves the north side of Fargo. The Dr. James Carlson Library, which replaced the earlier Southpointe Branch, opened to the public on [[November 16]], [[2007]] and serves the south side of Fargo. The new main library downtown, designed by Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, will open in early 2009.
===Recreation===
The Fargo Park District operates many neighborhood parks throughout the city. The metropolitan area contains the following golf courses: [[Edgewood Golf Course]] (18-hole), [[Fargo Country Club]] (18-hole) [[Rose Creek Golf Course]] (18-hole), El Zagal (9-hole), [[Prairiewood Golf Course]] (9-hole), and the new [[Osgood Golf Course]] (9-hole). In the winter Edgewood serves as a warming house and rents skis out. Rose Creek has a restaurant called Seasons and also gives golfing lessons in the summer.
===Sports===
*[[North Dakota State University]], an [[NCAA]] Division I university with 14 varsity sports.
*[[Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks]] of the [[Northern League (baseball)|Northern League]]
*[[Fargo Post #2]] of the [[North Dakota]] [[American Legion]] baseball league
*[[Fargo Marathon]]
*[[Fargo-Moorhead Liberty]], a new semi-pro football team part of the Northern Power Football League, plays at [[Minnesota State University Moorhead]]'s Alex Nemzek Stadium
*[[Fargo Force]], a tier 1 [[USHL]] hockey team scheduled to begin play in the 2008-09 USHL season
===Sister cities===
Fargo has two sister cities:
{| class="wikitable" style="background:lightgray;"
|{{flagicon|Norway}} ||'''[[Hamar]]''', [[Norway]]
|-
|{{flagicon|Sweden}} ||'''[[Vimmerby]]''', [[Sweden]]
|}
==Media==
:''See also: [[Fargo-Moorhead media]] for a list of newspapers, radio, and television stations''
''[[The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead]]'' is the city's major newspaper. The ''[[High Plains Reader]]'', an independent weekly tabloid, also operates in the community. North Dakota State University's student paper, ''[[NDSU Spectrum|The Spectrum]]'', is printed twice weekly during the academic year. The city is also served by other publications such as [[OPEN Magazine]], Area Woman, From House To Home, [[Bison Illustrated]] and Valley Faith.
Fargo is also home to several radio and television stations. [[Forum Communications]], which also owns ''The Forum'', owns [[WDAY-TV]] and [[WDAY (AM)|WDAY]] radio. Local resident [[James Ingstad]] owns six radio stations under Radio Fargo-Moorhead, including [[KFGO]]. SMAHH Communications owns [[WZFN]] and [[KEGK]]. [[Cable television]] service is provided by[[CableOne]] and Midcontinent Communications.
==Transportation==
Fargo is a major transportation hub for the surrounding region. It sits at the crossroads of two major interstate highways and is the home of a major airport.
Fargo is served by [[Hector International Airport]]. Hector has the longest public runway in the state and has scheduled passenger flights to [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]], [[Chicago]], [[Denver, Colorado|Denver]], [[Las Vegas, Nevada|Las Vegas]], [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]] and [[Salt Lake City, Utah|Salt Lake City]]. An [[Air National Guard]] unit is also located at Hector.
The [[BNSF Railway]] runs through the metropolitan area as successor to the [[Great Northern Railway (U.S.)|Great Northern Railway]] and [[Northern Pacific Railroad]]. [[Amtrak]] service is provided via the ''[[Empire Builder]]'' passenger train at the [[Fargo (Amtrak station)|Fargo Amtrak station]].
The city sits at the intersection of [[Interstate 29]] and [[Interstate 94]]. [[U.S. Highway 81]] and [[U.S. Highway 10]] also run through the community. Some other major roadways in the city include 45th St., 13th Ave., Main Ave. and University Drive.
Inside the metropolitan area, a public bus service named Metro Area Transit (MAT) operates several routes. [[Greyhound Lines]], [[Jefferson Lines]] and Rimrock Stages Trailways bus services also link Fargo to other communities.
The street system of Fargo is structured in the classic grid pattern. Routes that run from north to south are called ''streets'', and routes that run from east to west are called ''avenues''.
{{See also|Major roads in Fargo, North Dakota}}
==Sites of interest==
===Arenas and auditoriums===
*'''[[Fargodome]]''' - (''1800 North University Drive'') An indoor [[arena]] located on the [[North Dakota State University|NDSU]] campus. It plays host to all NDSU home [[American football|football]] games and is also used for concerts and trade shows. This is also where the high school wrestling national freestyle and greco-roman championships take place every year
*'''Reineke Fine Arts Center''' [http://www.lib.ndsu.nodak.edu/archives/ndsubuildings/Reineke/index.html] - (''12th Avenue North and Bolley Drive'') Located on the NDSU campus. The University uses the center for concerts, theatrical presentations, and other events.
*'''[[Fargo Civic Center]]''' - (''207 4th Street North'') An indoor arena used to host trade shows, sporting events, meetings, community events, concerts, and disaster relief.
*'''[[John E. Carlson Coliseum]]''' - (''807 17th Avenue North'') This arena is host to the [[Fargo North High School]] and [[Fargo South High School]] hockey teams as well as the FM Jets hockey team. The arena was built in 1968 and has previously been home to the Fargo Blazers and NDSU Club hockey teams. The arena is also for figure skating. The Coliseum hosts the largest squirt hockey tournament in the world, the Fargo Flyers Squirt International Hockey Tournament.
*'''[[Urban Plains Center]]''' - On [[June 27]], [[2007]], Fargo held a groundbreaking for the Urban Plains Center ice hockey arena. The arena will be located in south Fargo and will cost about $34 Million to construct. The arena will be used for a USHL team as well as local youth and high school hockey teams.
===Museums===
*'''[[Bonanzaville, USA]]''' - (''1351 Main Avenue, [[West Fargo, North Dakota|West Fargo]]'') A "village" made up of many historic buildings from the region. Includes a church, school building, and [[log cabin]]s. It is named after the historic [[bonanza farms]] of the area. Open May-October.
*'''The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm''' [http://www.childrensmuseum-yunker.org/introduction.htm] - (''1201 28th Avenue North'') Provides many exhibits and "hands-on" participation for children. Open year-round.
*'''[[Fargo Air Museum]]''' - (''1609 19th Avenue North'') Features aircraft from [[World War II]] and beyond. Also hosts traveling exhibits.
*'''[[Plains Art Museum]]''' - (''704 1st Avenue North'') A large art museum located in a historic downtown building. Features regional and national exhibits.
*'''[[The Roger Maris Museum]]''' - (''West Acres Shopping Center'') A small museum dedicated to [[Roger Maris]] located in a wing of the mall. Features memorabilia and a video presentation about the [[New York Yankees]] player who lived in Fargo for a portion of his life.
*'''[[Hjemkomst Center]]''' - (''Downtown at 202 1st Ave. N, Moorhead MN'') Displays and interprets the Hjemkmost replica Viking ship that was sailed to Norway. Also home of the Clay County Historical Society museum and archives.
===Theatres===
*'''Fargo-Moorhead Community Theatre''' [http://www.fmct.org/main.php] - (''333 4th Street South'') FMCT presents comedies, dramas, youth shows, and musicals in a theatre located in Island Park south of downtown.
*'''[[Fargo Theatre]]''' - (''314 Broadway'') A 1926 [[Art Deco]] movie theatre. Presents films (classic and current), live productions, and other events.
*'''Main Avenue Theatre''' - (''716 Main Avenue'') Hosts live productions by local independent theater companies [http://www.theatreb.org Theatre B] and the Tin Roof Theatre Company and other events.
*'''Trollwood Performing Arts School''' [http://www.trollwood.org/] - Trollwood Performing Arts School is a summer theatre arts program for students of all ages. The school presents many different forms of performing arts every summer, the most prominent being a Broadway musical performed in front of up to 2,500 audience members per night at an outdoor amphitheatre. The school is noted for its numerous national arts awards.
===Misc. attractions===
*'''[[Newman Outdoor Field]]''' - (''1515 15th Avenue North'') Home of the '''[[Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks]]''' (an independent professional [[baseball]] team that is part of the [[Northern League (baseball)|Northern League]]).
*'''North Dakota Horse Park''' [http://www.northdakotahorsepark.org/] - (''5100 19th Avenue North'') Features live racing and betting.
*'''[[Red River Zoo]]''' - (''4220 21st Avenue Southwest'') A 30-acre zoo that features 80 species of animals. Also includes a restored 1928 [[carousel]].
*'''Fargo Outdoor Skate Park''' [http://www.fargoparks.com/facilities_skatepark.html] - (''4th Street'') Outdoor skate park located at the Dike West.
==Notable residents==
*[[Henry Luke Bolley]] - plant pathologist and first NDSU football coach
*[[James F. Buchli]] - (Colonel, USMC, Ret.) former [[NASA]] [[Space Shuttle]] [[astronaut]] born in [[New Rockford, North Dakota]] who later lived in Fargo
*[[Chris Coste]] - [[Major League Baseball]] player
*[[Shannon Curfman]] - [[blues]] guitarist and singer
*[[Gordon Dexheimer]]- actor, writer, lawyer
*[[CariDee English]] - winner of [[America's Next Top Model]], Season 7
*[[William H. Gass]] - writer
*[[Paul Gaustad]] - [[National Hockey League]] player for the [[Buffalo Sabres]]
*[[Chuck Klosterman]] - author, and journalist for ''[[Spin magazine|Spin]]'', ''[[Esquire (magazine)|Esquire]]'', and [[ESPN]]
*[[Charlie Korsmo]] - film actor
*[[Jonny Lang]] - [[blues]] guitarist and singer
*[[Gary Larsen]] - NFL football player, member of the "[[Purple People Eaters]]"
*[[Roger Maris]] - former [[New York Yankees]] baseball player
*[[Carey McWilliams (marksman)|Carey McWilliams]] - blind marksman, and author
*[[Aloisius Joseph Muench]] - [[Bishop of Fargo]]
*[[Collin Peterson]] - [[United States House of Representatives|United States Representative]] for [[Minnesota]]
*[[Donny Schatz]] - [[World of Outlaws]] driver
*[[Peter Schickele]] - Musical composer and alter ego of PDQ Bach
*[[Ed Schultz]] - [[progressivism|Progressive]]/[[Modern liberalism in the United States|Liberal]] radio talk show host syndicated by the [[Jones Radio Network]]
*[[Frank Scott (musician)|Frank Scott]] - musician, pianist and arranger with the [[Lawrence Welk]] orchestra
*[[Ari Shapiro]] - [[NPR]] reporter
*[[Burleigh F. Spalding]] - former [[United States Representative]] from North Dakota
*[[Bobby Vee]] - [[pop music]] singer from 1960s
*[[Brenda Weiler]] - singer/songwriter
==Popular culture==
[[The Big Bopper]], [[Ritchie Valens]], and [[Buddy Holly]] died in a plane
crash while bound for Fargo on [[February 3]], [[1959]]. Known as "[[The Day the Music Died]]", the crash was made famous in the song "[[American Pie (song)|American Pie]]" by [[Don McLean]].
[[Fargo (film)|''Fargo'']] is an [[Academy Award]] winning [[1996 in film|1996]] film staring [[Frances McDormand]] and [[William H. Macy]] and directed and produced by the [[Joel and Ethan Coen|Coen brothers]]. The film was named after Fargo though the city is only seen briefly at the film's start and ''not'' shot on location in Fargo, but actually in northeast [[Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis]] as a substitute. The rest of the movie is actually set throughout [[Minnesota]].
==See also==
*[[USS Fargo]] is a [[United States Navy]] vessel named after the city.
*[[Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo]]
==Notes==
{{Reflist}}
==External links==
*[http://cityoffargo.com/ City of Fargo official website]
*[http://www.fargodowntowner.com Fargo Downtowner] - website detailing downtown Fargo's revitalized retail and dining culture
*[http://www.fargo-history.com/ History of Fargo] - website detailing history of Fargo
*[http://trishymouse.net/fargo/index.htm Downtown Fargo History] - website devoted to the history of downtown Fargo
*[http://www.lileks.com/fargo/indexx.html James Lileks' Fargo] - website with many pictures of historic Fargo
*[http://fargofilmmaking.wikia.com Fargo Filmmaking Wiki] - a wiki about moviemaking that originated in Fargo
*[http://www.ndsu.nodak.edu/fargo_geology/ Fargo, North Dakota Geology] - website about the geology of the Fargo area
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[[Category:Cass County, North Dakota]]
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[[Category:Settlements established in 1871]]
[[Category:University towns in the United States]]
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