Around Swedish America in 548 Days - Day 37

Day 37 - Moorhead

The Bergquist Pioneer Cabin, N. Tenth Avenue, is identified as the oldest house in Moorhead on its original site. John Gustav Bergquist, born in Småland, built a one-story log cabin in 1870, two years after coming to America. In 1873 his brother, Peter, joined him and they added a second floor. John worked on the railroad, farmed, and developed a brick manufacturing business while Peter started a grocery store. After Hank Peterson, a later resident, added many rooms to the log structure, the original was lost to view but protected from the weather. In 1976, Peterson, a prominent Clay County farmer, donated the building and lot to the Bergquist Pioneer Cabin Society. Restoration commenced, and fifteen years later that group donated it to the Clay County Historical Society (218-299-5520), which maintains a museum and archives in the Hjemkomst Center. To reach the Bergquist cabin, drive west on N. Eleventh Avenue toward the Red River. Between N. Seventh and N. Eighth Streets in a modern housing subdivision, turn south. The cabin sits in a wooded area adjacent to the Red River.

The Hjemkomst Center ("Homecoming"), 202 N. First Avenue (218-299-5511), features a 76-foot replica Viking ship (modeled after the Gokstad burial ship) constructed in 1980 in nearby Hawley under the leadership of Robert Asp. In 1982, a crew of twelve sailed the Hjemkomst from Duluth to Bergen, Norway. The museum also features a replica of the Hopperstad Stave Church in Vik, Norway. During the last weekend in June, an annual Scandinavian festival is held at the center.

Bethesda Lutheran Church, 401 S. Fortieth Avenue (218-236-1420), occupies a building constructed in 1971. This congregation, founded in 188o, was responsible for funding Hope Academy in Moorhead between 1888 and 1896.