UND History

The history of the University of North Dakota has been colorful since its beginning in 1883. Back then, the Dakota Territory was huge and sparsely populated with a variety of what were called "live wires" boosting their towns. The "live wire" for Grand Forks was George Walsh, who, after much dramatic maneuvering, managed to pass a bill locating the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks.

He actually submitted to the Territorial Legislature a blank piece of paper, titled "A Bill for an Act Locating the University of North Dakota at Grand Forks..." By the time the bill reached the Appropriations Committee, he had substituted a completed bill. It was the first time the term "North Dakota" was used, for statehood was not reached for another six years. Because the Territorial Legislature believed in equality in parceling out state institutions, The Disappointed cities of Bismarck and Jamestown had to settle for the state penitentiary and "insane asylum" (now Jamestown State Hospital), respectively.