When the Great Northern Railway was being built through the Dakota Territory in 1887, a bridge was needed to cross a dry streambed. A large tent city sprang up at the site, but when residents learned that the railroad had chosen a town site several miles away on the Souris River, they moved the entire town to the present site of Minot (MY-not) overnight. The speed of this accomplishment and the growth of the population to 5,000 in the settlement's first year earned it the title “Magic City.” Learn More...