Bonanzaville Pioneer Village & Museum
1351 West Main Avenue
West Fargo, ND 58078
Phone: 701-282-2822
Bonanzaville USA is named after the Bonanza Farms that dotted this
region in the late nineteenth century as a result of Northern Pacific
Railroad's marketing efforts. The NPRR lobbied for large-scale, showcase
farms of 1,000 acres or more to advertise the economic potential of
the land on either side of the Northern Pacific's route, in particular
the land along the Minnesota, Dakota Territory border known as the Red
River Valley. They believed these enormous farms would attract people
to the Midwest and in return ensure financial support for the railroad.
They were right.
The Cass County Historical Society was started in 1954 by the Daughters
of the Dakota Pioneers in a basement room at North Dakota State University
in Fargo, North Dakota. Later the museum was moved to Minard Hall at
NDSU and began to grow with the help of its volunteers.
In 1967 when the Red River Valley Fair moved its headquarters and site
to West Fargo, it requested the Cass County Historical Society build
its historic village nearby to enhance the fair, believing the village
would be an added attraction. The Society accepted the offer of five
acres of land and has since been growing and thriving in this location.
Bonanzaville USA recreates the magnificent history of this area's past
using more then 400,000 documented and treasured artifacts indigenous
to the upper Midwest arranged throughout 40 buildings and spread over
15 acres. Many of the houses and shops are historically significant
and were laboriously moved to Bonanzaville from surrounding cities.
Strolling around our site, or the museum itself, is like reliving the
years we enjoyed most, those simpler times.
The mission of the Cass County Historical Society is to collect, restore
and display artifacts relevant to the history and cultural heritage
of the region for the education and enjoyment of the public so that
all can gain a better appreciation of those things from the past that
serve as the foundation for today and tomorrow.
Village and Museum
May - October
(2 weeks only)
May
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
June - September
Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sundays Noon to 5 p.m.
October, two weeks only
Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
This Summer's Events
Pioneer Days
Our Biggest Annual Event
Saturday, August 16 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, August 17 Noon - 5 p.m.
(with a 11 a.m. church service)
$7 adults / $4 children
The region's longest running festival of our heritage features pioneer
demonstrations and food, costumed interpreters, steam thrashing, live
musical entertainment, children's activities and a fantastic parade
of vintage automobiles and antique tractors.
Harvest Days
First Year For This Event
Saturday, September 20 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Sunday, September 21 Noon - 5 p.m.
(with a 11 a.m. church service)
$7 adults / $4 children
Reap the harvest with an old-fashioned family get-together with pie
contests, games, carnival rides, demonstrations, farmers market, stage
coach rides, food, music, movies and more.
Christmas on the Prairie
Saturday, December 6 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Free Admission
Annual Event
Our costumed interpreters invite you to join us as our prairie village
is lighted and ready to honor the season with horse-drawn rides, carol
singing, story-telling, kids' carnival, a chance to visit with old St.
Nick and much more.
Festive food and fun for the whole family in a beautiful winter's evening
atmosphere.
Admission
General Admission: $7
6 - 16 years: $4
5 and under: Free
Groups of 25 or more: $6 per person
Motor Coach Parking Available
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