Although located in central-eastern Clay County, bordered on the west by the Red River of the North and Fargo, North Dakota, Moorhead is the county seat of Clay County, and the largest city in northwestern Minnesota. Bordered on the east by Dilworth, other nearby communities are West Fargo, Prairie Rose, Frontier and Reile's Acres in North Dakota, and the Minnesota communities of Glyndon and Oakport. Moorhead was founded in 1871, and named for William Garroway Moorhead, a director of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which provided the stimulus for economic and population growth in the area. Early settlers came largely to take advantage of the Homestead Act, which gave them acreage in exchange for farming and making improvements upon their land. The land around the Fargo-Moorhead area is flat and fertile, as it rests on the lake bed of glacial Lake Agassiz. Industries rose not only because of the railroad, but also because the Red River of the North served as a transfer point for passengers and goods between the Twin Cities and Winnipeg, Manitoba. Before the railroad, goods were hauled by oxcart from St. Cloud to Moorehead, where they were loaded onto riverboats. Moorhead was platted in 1871, and incorporated in 1881, soon earning a reputation as "Sin City," as it hosted more than a hundred bars, while neighboring Fargo, North Dakota prohibited the sale of alcohol. Today, Moorhead continues to be a transcontinental crossing, as Interstates 94 and 29 intersect just west of the city, although education and service industries are beginning to play a prominent role in the city's economy. Moorhead's Prairie Home Cemetery was the inspiration for the name of Garrison Keillor's national radio program, A Prairie Home Companion.
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Recommended Resources
Bringing the scouting experience to boys between the ages of eleven and eighteen in Moorhead, Minnesota, the troop is a part of the Boy Scouts of America youth organization. Meeting schedules and places, a calendar of events, and reports on recent events are posted to the site, along with a newsletter, photographs, and membership information.
http://troop637.tripod.com/
The Moorhead Public Library opened its doors in 1906, becoming the Clay County Library in 1949, and the Lake Agassiz Regional Library in 1961. Headquartered in Moorhead, Minnesota, the library system has several other branches, which are featured here, along with an overview of its services, research facilities, and a calendar of events. A catalog of its collections can be accessed online.
http://larl.org/
In business in 1949, the Moorhead, Minnesota Dairy Queen is of the traditional walk-up style, and is one of the oldest original stores in the DQ system. A description of the store is located, along with its menu, special offers, coupons, and hours of operation. A photo gallery is included and several facts about Dairy Queen are set forth.
http://www.moorheaddairyqueen.com/
Family owned and operated, the marine dealership offers new and pre-owned sports and marine vehicles, including ATVs, snowmobiles, side-by-sides, boats, and pontoons, as well as parts and accessories. Its inventory may be viewed online, promotional offers are highlighted, and its services are discussed. Brochures may be downloaded from the site, and its location, hours of operation, and contacts are posted.
http://www.moorheadmarine.com/
The official site of the municipality includes an overview of the city, a description of municipal services, its parks and recreation department, and a guide to local schools, churches and businesses, as well as a variety of online services such as the payment of parking tickets, applications, forms, and other resources. Public notices are published to the site.
http://www.ci.moorhead.mn.us/
