Bonanzaville is the region's only history museum, and prairie pioneer village dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of Cass County, North Dakota and the central region of the Red River Valley of the North.

Description:
Sitting on 15 acres of land in West Fargo, ND, the history museum and prairie village of Bonanzaville houses 400,000 donated, historical artifacts in 40 buildings, many over a century old. Among the many displays and historical exhibits are the region's first aircraft museum, Native American artifacts, antique automobiles, vintage tractor and farm implement exhibits, telephone museum, antique train displays, vintage doll and toy collection, one room schoolhouse, sodhouse, and Fargo's first house, the oldest complete structure in North Dakota. Bonanzaville provides training and opportunities for volunteer docents(costumed historical interpreters)who interact with the public or guides who choose to work in or out of costume. Current volunteers range in age from five-years-old to 80 years-old.

History:
Bonanzaville was created in 1968 on land north of the Cass County Fairgrounds with a few historic buildings donated by some of the rural communities surrounding Fargo. The Cass County Historical Society began in 1954 with a small museum display on the campus of North Dakota State University. Bonanzaville was named for the giant bonanza farms of the 1870s that were vital in the agricultural impact and settlement of North Dakota. Since its inception, Bonanzaville has become a major tourist destination in the Red River Valley of the North and regularly welcomes visitors from over 40 countries and all 50 states during its summer season.

Contact person: Alison Ostgarden, Assistant Director, (701) 282-2822, (email)
Office fax number: (701) 282-7606

Address:

1351 West Main Avenue West Fargo, ND 58078 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.bonanzavile.org

Directions:

From Fargo drive West on Main Avenue through West Fargo. Bonanzaville will be on your left side north of the fairgrounds. From I29, or I94, take the exit onto Main Ave into West Fargo and follow Main Ave to Baonanzaville.   Nearest Bus Stop: none