Bonanzaville Historic Village - West Fargo, North Dakota

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Bonanzaville Historic Village - West Fargo, North Dakota

Bonanzaville is actually an historic village containing more than forty buildings. Guests can take a step back in time to the Red River Valley at the end of the 1800s and into the early 1900s. Bonanzaville is located at 1351 Main Avenue West in West Fargo, North Dakota and is overseen by the Cass County Historical Society.

More than 30,000 people from all over the world tour this site every year. The tours are all self-guided so that visitors can take as much time as they wish to visit the many attractions in the town. Docents and demonstrators dressed in period costumes are available to explain and show what life was like in this time. With over 400,000 artifacts, there is a lot to see in the historic village of Bonanzaville USA.

The many buildings are restored to period style and are filled with authentic artifacts. The main museum includes a large variety of historic implements to set the scene for this important time in the Red River Valley of North Dakota. They also have one of the largest displays of Native American artifacts.

Other buildings in Bonanzaville include a town hall, blacksmith shop, the buffalo bandstand, the creamery, the courthouse, a cook car, a school, drugstore, and many period houses from Fargo’s first house to log cabins to other period homes that have been saved and restored.

There are several other museums housed at Bonanzaville, such as a car museum that features a 1903 Model A Ford, an air museum that has several different aircraft from the years 1911 to 1975, a law enforcement museum, a telephone museum, and various buildings that house many types of vehicles such as tractors, horse drawn vehicles and a fire company. Each building offers a unique and detailed look into the past that shows us a slice of the history of the town.

Visitors can also take time to visit the gift shop, which has many items for purchase. These things include gifts, vintage items, and other items which make a great souvenir of a visit to Bonanzaville USA. You can buy playing cards, polished rocks, furs and apparel. There is something for every taste at the gift shop.

The village of Bonanzaville and the museum are open from May to September. In May, it is open Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. In June through September, the village is open Mondays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. However, the museum is also open during the months of October through December. It is open Mondays through Fridays from noon to 5 p.m.

Regular admission prices are $6.50. Children ages 6 though 16 are admitted for $3.50. Children under the age of five are admitted for free. There is a reduced rate for tours of only the museum, and a group rate, as well. To contact them, call 701-282-2822.