Moorhead, Minnesota has a long and varied history of being home to many different cultures. Located on the Red River of the North, it is part of a larger metropolitan area that includes Fargo, North Dakota. This region was once inhabited by indigenous peoples who used the river for fishing and transportation. Later settlers from Europe made this their home in the late 19th century, taking advantage of its fertile soil and abundant resources.
Today Moorhead is known as a university town with two colleges: Minnesota State University Moorhead (MSUM) and Concordia College. Local businesses provide employment opportunities for both students and residents alike, while also offering numerous cultural activities such as concerts, art galleries, museums, and theatre performances. The city also hosts several festivals each year including Frostival – an outdoor winter celebration – and Juneteenth – which celebrates African American culture. In addition, there are various parks located throughout Moorhead providing recreational activities like hiking trails or picnic spots along the riverbank.
The local community takes pride in its history with multiple historical sites open to visitors looking to explore more about what makes Moorhead unique. Among these sites are the Historic Village at MSUM which features buildings dating back to 1872; St John’s Lutheran Church built in 1883; Trinity Lutheran Cemetery established in 1886; City Hall constructed in 1902; Clay County Courthouse completed in 1916; Hjemkomst Center featuring artifacts from the Viking ship replica “Hjemkonst” which sailed across the Atlantic Ocean from Norway to America; and much more.