Stop 15: Herbst Building – 16 Broadway

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Isaac Herbst’s original store was destroyed in the Fargo fire. He rebuilt at 16 Broadway. This building was also damaged by fire in 1894, but the structure survived, and Herbst’s business grew into a thriving department store.

When Isaac died in 1910, his wife, Emma, took over as president of the store, an unusual role for a woman at that time. She stepped down when her son took over in 1918, but remained as vice president until her death in 1925.

In the early 1970s, Herbst established branch stores throughout North Dakota, in Bismarck, Devils Lake, Jamestown and even at the new West Acres Shopping Center in Fargo.

During the 1920s and 1930s, the store gave all city children a present on their 12th birthday. Fargo citizen Jim Landblom recollected that he received a Brownie camera from Herbst for his birthday in 1930.

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