Alexander Griggs (June 22, 1838 – April 24, 1902) was an American pioneer, businessman, and politician best known for founding the city of Grand Forks, North Dakota, and for his service in the early territorial and state governments of North Dakota.
Early Life
- Born in New York State, Griggs moved westward during the mid‑19th century, working as a trapper and later as a fur trader in the Minnesota and Dakota territories.
- He married Mary Lucy Miller in 1865; the couple had several children.
Founding of Grand Forks
- In 1870, while operating a trading post near the confluence of the Red River and the Red Lake River, Griggs recognized the strategic importance of the site for commerce and transportation.
- He formally platted a townsite on the north bank of the Red River, naming it “Grand Forks” after the nearby river junction.
- Griggs built the first permanent structures, including a general store and a log cabin, which served as the nucleus for later settlement.
- The settlement rapidly grew, attracting merchants, farmers, and railroad workers, and was incorporated as a city in 1881.
Political Career
- Griggs was active in territorial politics, serving as a member of the Dakota Territorial Legislature from 1881 to 1882.
- After North Dakota achieved statehood in 1889, he was elected to the North Dakota House of Representatives, where he served two terms (1889‑1891, 1895‑1897).
- His legislative work focused on infrastructure development, particularly the promotion of railroad expansion and river navigation improvements.
Later Years and Legacy
- In the 1890s, Griggs retired from active politics but remained involved in local business ventures, including banking and real estate.
- He died on April 24, 1902, in Grand Forks and was buried in the Grand Forks City Cemetery.
- The city’s historical societies commemorate Griggs as its founder; several streets and a park bear his name.
References
- Historical records of the Dakota Territorial Legislature.
- City of Grand Forks official archives.
- North Dakota State Historical Society publications.
