As with the majority of the country, the 1920s brought growth and prosperity to Mandan. The most significant event, the first automobile bridge across the Missouri River in the Dakotas in 1922, prompted a surge of commercial development in downtown Mandan. While North Dakota was a "dry" state since it joined the Union in 1889, many told and untold events were associated with alcoholic beverages in Mandan.
1920
President of the Mandan City Commission (i.e., mayor) H. L. Henke was narrowly re-elected to the position. He overcame his two challengers Dr. A.O. Henderson and William Peterson. Similiarily, the other two open seats on the commission were heatily contested with only 10 votes separating the top three candidates. J.B. Fredericks and William McDonald were declared the winners once the vote count was completed.
In April, H. H. "King" Williams returned from the Twin Cities after purchasing plans and machinery for a bottling factory. Production would begin later that year at the former Commerical Hotel building at 316 & 318 East Main Street.
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1921
In April, over 100 members of the Mandan Commercial Club voted unanimously for a permenant change for the city to move from Mountain to Central time. A committee was appointed to present the proposal to the City Commission.
1922
The largest project funded by the US Congress in 1919, the Liberty Memorial Bridge was dedicated on September 19 to the veterans of World War I. The automobile bridge linked the cities of Mandan and Bismarck, and was the final piece to complete the first transcontential highway, without the use of ferries for river crossing, along the entire National Parks Highway system.
1923
1924
The Roughrider statue depicting Theodore Roosevelt was dedicated on July 2. Dignitaries including members of the Roosevelt family and high level politians from throughout the state attended. The statue was donated by Mandan's first mayor Henry Waldo Coe who was a life-long friend of Roosevelt.
Additional information on the statue and the ceremony is found under the [Area Landmarks] tab.
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1926
1929
The MHSoc's museum and office is located at 3827 30th Avenue NW; Mandan, ND 58554 Contact us at info@mandanhistory.org
