March 10, 1858 – Birth of a Future Grand Forks Leader
On this day, George B. Clifford was born in Concord, New Hampshire – a man who would later become a prominent lawyer, businessman, and civic leader in Grand Forks. Clifford moved to Grand Forks in 1881 and played a key role in the city’s development. He helped organize the city’s first paved streets and park system and even served as president of the Grand Forks city council. His March 10th birthday is a notable date as he became one of Grand Forks’ most influential early residents.
March 10, 1880 – Railroad Reaches Grand Forks
Grand Forks in 1880, around the time the railroad first arrived (Viets & Twamley general store). On March 10, 1880, the first railroad train arrived in Grand Forks, marking a major turning point for the young community. This was a combined work train and immigrant train, signifying the extension of rail lines into the Red River Valley. The railroad’s arrival spurred rapid growth – commerce boomed and new settlers poured in – helping transform Grand Forks from a remote river trading post into a regional economic hub. This event is a cornerstone of local history, as the rail connection opened Grand Forks to national markets and travel.
March 10, 1948 – Record Cold Grips the City
On March 10, 1948, Grand Forks experienced its coldest March temperature on record, bottoming out at –36 °F. This frigid reading set a record low for that date that still stands decades later. The brutal cold wave of early March 1948 was part of a severe winter across North Dakota. Temperatures in Grand Forks remained far below normal, and the –36 °F low on March 10th exemplified the extreme weather locals endured. It remains a notable weather milestone in Grand Forks history and a reminder of the region’s harsh winters.
March 10, 1966 – Digging Out from a Historic Blizzard
By March 10, 1966, Grand Forks was digging out from one of the worst blizzards in its history – the Blizzard of March 2–5, 1966. That storm pummeled the region with 27.8 inches of snow in Grand Forks, with 17 inches falling in a single day. Enormous snowdrifts up to 30–40 feet high had formed, nearly engulfing power and telegraph lines. The blizzard shut down schools and businesses for days, and travel was impossible as roads were completely blocked by snow. Even by March 10th, many residents were still stranded or laboring to clear paths through the deep drifts. The Blizzard of 1966 remains legendary in local memory for its duration and severity.
March 10, 2009 – Flood Emergency Preparations
On March 10, 2009, Grand Forks officials declared a local state of emergency as they braced for spring flooding of the Red River. A heavy snowstorm on March 9–10 that year added to an already deep snowpack, causing flood forecasts to jump dramatically. Predicted crest levels for the Red River rose to 47–50 feet – well above flood stage – prompting urgent flood preparations in the city. Residents and city crews began reinforcing levees and stockpiling sandbags. The emergency declaration on March 10th mobilized resources and alerted the public to the flood risk. (Fortunately, the city’s enhanced flood defenses, built after the devastating 1997 flood, held firm in 2009. This date stands out as a moment when Grand Forks proactively faced a potential natural disaster, underscoring the community’s vigilance after past flooding lessons.