The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1916-05-23
Douglas--A Growing
Ward County Town

In the extreme southern portion of
ward county is located the town Of
douglas which was first started in
1SOi, and now has population Of $50
people. 1t Is located in a wonderfully
productive section which Is evidenced
by the fact that 100000 bushels Of
grain have already been shipped out
and 1t Is not nearly all marketed yet.
The farmers diversity to large ex-
tent and they have started in this
new community. not with the idea of
robbing the soil for immediate profit
but of building up a permanent foun-
dation for profitable farming for ages
to come. They raise a great deal of
livestock and the character of the soil
which is a rich black loan with heavy
clay subsoil is such that it produces
wonderful crops.
Douglas has as a. municipal improve
ment. a good brick city hall and fire
hall. The town will soon place an elec-
trio light plan in, which will be modern
in every particular. The people are
prosperous, and over thirty automo-
miles are owned in Douglas, and about
every fifth farmer in the vicinity owns
his own car.
The land values are going up all the
time and now range from $40 to $50
per acre. Douglas has a fine consoli-
dated school. accommodating 125 pu-
pills with four competent teachers in
charge. The people believe in outdoor
amusement, and have established
park near the lake and planted a large
number of trees and tame grass. They
expect to have a very pleasant resort
there soon.
The industries consist of several lig-
mite coal mines which are good pro-
ducers of best quality Ignite coal, and
the coal can be purchased for $3.50 per
ton at the mine or for $3.50 on board
the cars.
Douglas is located on the 500 Line
between Max and Ryder, and has a
large trade territory as the nearest
town on the north is Minot, on the
south Garrison. on the east Max and
on the west Ryder. Douglas has fine
residence district, the homes being
new and modern, many being built or
brick. Every line of business is repre-
sented, and all their business men are
prosperous. Douglas will need more
business places in the near future as the
country is settling up rapidly and the
roads round about Douglas are oeing
improved. Every year bridges are be-
ing built and gravel being used IN
order to make permanent highways.
Three churches care for the religious
needs of the people Of Douglas, Lu-
theran. a Methodist and a Catholic.
The Lutheran congregation will build
large modern building this summer.
The lodge life is represented by very
prosperous lodge of Modern Woodmen
Of America.
Douglas has three general stores,
two hardware stores. two good banks,
four large grain elevators, and far
mers elevator is now being built, one
drug store, one doctor, one hotel, two
restaurants, one livery barn. good
weekly newspaper, one lumber yard,
meat market. a barber shop. harness
shop. shoe store, a shoe repair shop,
one good feed mill that handles all
kinds Of feed, three blacksmith shops
one millinery, one dray line. three i'm
plement dealers, two automobile gar
ages, and two real estate dealers.
Douglas has efficient fire lighting
equipment in q volunteer fire depart
ment of twenty-five members who
have a, chemical and hook and ladder
truck. They drill regularly and so far
have been able to meet every emer-
gency.
The town is surrounded by num-
Der of good lakes where fishing and
hunting can be found in it's season. In
the town itself, the people are showing
enterprise by laying cement sidewalks
and the streets have all been graded.
For a town of it's age. Douglas is as
advanced as any CITY in the state.