Raymond Morrell
04-05-2002, 09:43 AM
Valley City, North Dakota is a very picturesque location situated in the Sheyenne River Valley that spans through 63 miles of rolling hills, natural beauty, period construction of homes and buildings from the 1900’s. Valley City and the Sheyenne Valley also boast many lake areas with special recognition to Lake Ashtabula and acres upon acres of undisturbed scenery.
Known as the “City of Bridges” Valley City was founded in 1872 with the name of the Second Crossing of the Sheyenne when the Northern Pacific railroad crossed the river here. When a town is built around a winding river, bridges become very necessary. Valley City is proud of its 13 beautiful and historical bridges and takes every opportunity to showcase them.
Valley City maintains the charm and personality of a small community. The buildings of the general businesses area are very historic in appearance. Most of them are in original form and many of which were built from 1890 through 1920.
An aggressive tourism based marketing campaign has contributed to a steady increase in visitorship and taxable sales. Valley City has had many success stories including a downtown revitalization program. This includes a newly established Renaissance Zone designed to encourage redevelopment of the downtown while maintaining the integrity of the original construction of these buildings.
Several new projects have been started and completed since the inception of these programs. Other exciting new projects we are currently developing include:
· Construction of an $800,000 Visitor Center to house Rosebud, an 1879 superintendent’s rail coach car, a very unique and rare artifact. This center will be the major portal for tourism information within the Sheyenne Valley. Located on historic railroad right of way in downtown Valley City, it will house offices for the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation.
· Obtaining national designation of the existing State Scenic Byway that begins north of Valley City at Lake Ashtabula and winds southward through Valley City and the beautiful Sheyenne Valley for 63 miles. The view of this drive will be a definite eye popping experience.
· We are pursuing certification of a nature based hiking trail that will extend from Lake Ashtabula, 12 miles north of Valley City down to Lisbon, 46 miles south of Valley City, which is along the Scenic Byway Route. This would be certified by the North Country Trail Association.
· Implementing a marketing campaign focused on the attractions, points of interest, special events, and other features of Valley City and Lake Ashtabula.
Valley City and the Sheyenne Valley is host to many activities, celebrations and events throughout the year some of which are very unique and offer a strong flavor of rural life and Americana Charm.
Valley City has hosted the North Dakota Winter Show for 65 years drawing 65,000 visitors each year to the 9-day event from across North Dakota and western Minnesota. Another 5,000 visitors participate in events held over an additional 20 weekends each year. The Winter Show maintains a 121,824 sq. ft. facility with a 4,000-seat arena and a 28,000 square foot annex facility.
Hidden behind the beautiful red brick of VCSU is an institution that maintains the upper edge in computer integration and technology in the classroom. Valley City State University was the second laptop university established in the United States. With an enrollment of 1100 students, VCSU has been recognized as one of the top regional liberal art colleges in America by US News and World Report for 4 years running; 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. In addition to the educational opportunities it provides, the University adds greatly to the cultural richness of the community. VCSU also maintains many of the original buildings in which the college was founded over 100 years ago.
Valley City is a progressive community t
Known as the “City of Bridges” Valley City was founded in 1872 with the name of the Second Crossing of the Sheyenne when the Northern Pacific railroad crossed the river here. When a town is built around a winding river, bridges become very necessary. Valley City is proud of its 13 beautiful and historical bridges and takes every opportunity to showcase them.
Valley City maintains the charm and personality of a small community. The buildings of the general businesses area are very historic in appearance. Most of them are in original form and many of which were built from 1890 through 1920.
An aggressive tourism based marketing campaign has contributed to a steady increase in visitorship and taxable sales. Valley City has had many success stories including a downtown revitalization program. This includes a newly established Renaissance Zone designed to encourage redevelopment of the downtown while maintaining the integrity of the original construction of these buildings.
Several new projects have been started and completed since the inception of these programs. Other exciting new projects we are currently developing include:
· Construction of an $800,000 Visitor Center to house Rosebud, an 1879 superintendent’s rail coach car, a very unique and rare artifact. This center will be the major portal for tourism information within the Sheyenne Valley. Located on historic railroad right of way in downtown Valley City, it will house offices for the Valley City Area Chamber of Commerce, Convention and Visitors Bureau, and the Valley City-Barnes County Development Corporation.
· Obtaining national designation of the existing State Scenic Byway that begins north of Valley City at Lake Ashtabula and winds southward through Valley City and the beautiful Sheyenne Valley for 63 miles. The view of this drive will be a definite eye popping experience.
· We are pursuing certification of a nature based hiking trail that will extend from Lake Ashtabula, 12 miles north of Valley City down to Lisbon, 46 miles south of Valley City, which is along the Scenic Byway Route. This would be certified by the North Country Trail Association.
· Implementing a marketing campaign focused on the attractions, points of interest, special events, and other features of Valley City and Lake Ashtabula.
Valley City and the Sheyenne Valley is host to many activities, celebrations and events throughout the year some of which are very unique and offer a strong flavor of rural life and Americana Charm.
Valley City has hosted the North Dakota Winter Show for 65 years drawing 65,000 visitors each year to the 9-day event from across North Dakota and western Minnesota. Another 5,000 visitors participate in events held over an additional 20 weekends each year. The Winter Show maintains a 121,824 sq. ft. facility with a 4,000-seat arena and a 28,000 square foot annex facility.
Hidden behind the beautiful red brick of VCSU is an institution that maintains the upper edge in computer integration and technology in the classroom. Valley City State University was the second laptop university established in the United States. With an enrollment of 1100 students, VCSU has been recognized as one of the top regional liberal art colleges in America by US News and World Report for 4 years running; 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2002. In addition to the educational opportunities it provides, the University adds greatly to the cultural richness of the community. VCSU also maintains many of the original buildings in which the college was founded over 100 years ago.
Valley City is a progressive community t