Community Almanac

10 reasons

to live in Ellendale

Excellent schools

Active economic development and

        NDSU Extension Service

Entrepreneur incentives

New housing subdivision and 4-plexes

High-speed Internet

Renaissance Zone tax incentives

Growing arts and theater programs

Newly expanded public library

Superb hunting and fishing

and friendly people

For more information, contact Patricia Bowen, economic development director, at 701-349-2916 or ellenjda@drtel.net.

You’ll always get a wave from the friendly folks in Ellendale, the “Gateway to North Dakota,” located on the historic American Legion Highway, US Hwy. 281, five miles north of the North/South Dakota border. If you pull off the highway and take a look around, you’ll see just what makes Ellendale such a special place.

Ellendale has an intriguing history, represented by artifacts in the Ellendale Historical Society’s Coleman Museum. The city’s history began with the first settlers who arrived in October 1881. The following year, the Ellendale town site was platted as the first permanent settlement in Dickey County. Via a countywide vote, Ellendale became the county seat on November 6, 1882. Ellendale was incorporated as a village in 1883 and as a city on August 25, 1889.

S.S. Merrill, superintendent and general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway, selected the name Ellendale for his wife, Mary Ellen Dale Merrill. Ellendale was the first town in the region with railroad access, and the railroad brought in both settlers and their supplies.

Ellendale continued to grow, developing a main business district surrounded by residential areas. On May 8, 1916, fire destroyed most of the businesses, a church and 21 homes. The disaster didn’t deter the residents, who quickly rebuilt the city and kept it growing.

Today’s residents and business owners exhibit that same determination, working on restoration of Ellendale’s historic buildings and homes along with growing current and new businesses. Volunteer members of O.P.E.R.A., Inc. are restoring the 100-year-old opera house while others are looking at a new life for the Nodak Hotel. Site preparation in a new housing subdivision is underway, and the newest hotel will open in Spring 2010. The city, county and state actively assist this growth and restoration with tax incentives and other programs.

With its commitment to historic preservation and also to new construction, the City of Ellendale has adopted several resolutions that offer a variety of incentives to business owners and residents. For example, in an effort to encourage home renovations and new construction, the city offers enticements to those who build new or improve older homes. Homeowners who fix up an older home may take advantage of a city property tax exemption on the value of the improvements. If owners renovate, add on or otherwise spruce up a home older than 25 years, city council may approve a tax exemption for up to five years on the value added. If an individual erects a new home, condominium or townhouse, the city will exempt taxes on the value of the home, up to $150,000 in a taxable year, for the construction year and the following two years. Builders who erect single-family homes receive the same credit for up to 10 properties in a taxable year. In addition, Ellendale is a participant in Eastern Dakota Housing Alliance’s program to build new single-family homes and has a new ready-to-move-into home for a qualified median-income family.

Not only does Ellendale encourage home construction and renovation, but the city is also a business-friendly community, offering several enticements to new and growing enterprises. Businesses may take advantage of available state income tax and city property tax credits for building or improving properties located in Ellendale’s Renaissance Zone. The city also offers property tax exemptions for up to five years to businesses that improve existing commercial buildings anywhere in town.  

Ellendale’s location makes it ideal for business location or expansion. US Hwy 281, which links Canada to Texas, is unrestricted and well-maintained. ND Hwy. 11 connects Ellendale from the east and west with the rest of the country. In addition, Ellendale features a local airport and is approximately 45 miles from a regional airport. The Ellendale area is served by state-of-the-art DSL and reliable cell phone coverage.

As part of the US Hwy 281 Ag-Energy Corridor, Ellendale is centered in a prime area for development of wind energy, biofuels projects and large dairy operations. Affordable land prices, a variety of crops and abundant water and electricity make this region attractive.

Established to serve Ellendale businesses and residents, the city’s progressive Job Development Authority works closely with regional, state and federal development agencies. In addition, the Dickey County Job Development Authority and county commissioners are committed supporters of business development in the region.

Trinity Bible College, a four-year school offering degrees in ministry as well as in business, education and music, calls Ellendale home. In addition, the city offers excellent K-12 education at Ellendale Public School along with Head Start and a cooperative preschool. Several private daycares welcome children of all ages. Year ‘round sports activities are available to keep children busy, along with Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts and 4-H.

Ellendale is home to a wide variety of businesses including two livestock nutrition supplement producers, a farm implement company, veterinary clinic, grocery store, hardware store, variety store, greenhouse, pharmacy, restaurants, fertilizer plant, auto dealer, coffee shop, weekly newspaper, large lumber yard, Laundromat, bakery, insurance agencies, concrete plant, financial institutions, assisted living and nursing home facilities, local ambulance and fire department coverage, beauty salons, ceramic studio, realty companies, florist, contractors, city and county law enforcement, grain elevators, an exercise facility and two medical clinics. The city also offers golfing, swimming, bowling, athletic fields, several parks, a library, many churches and a museum as well as superb hunting, snowmobiling, birdwatching and fishing. Both the Dickey County Courthouse and Ellendale Opera House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Walk of Fame on Main Street and Hwy. 281 honors noted former residents including former Philadelphia Eagle Palmer “Pete” Retzlaff and Actress Debra Vick Mooney. Local volunteers will soon add a walking trail that will encircle the city.

There is always something going on in Ellendale. Annual events include AppleFest, the Fabric & Fiber Festival, the Festival of Trees, the Parade of Lights, Do and Discover, the Welcome Banquet, Ladies’ Night Out, the Easter Egg Hunt, the Community Rummage Sale, the farmers’ market, the Ellendale Park Board’s Summer Recreation Program, a Christmas wreath auction, a paintball tournament, business Christmas open houses and the Dickey County Fair. In addition to these established annual events, residents and visitors enjoy college and high school sporting events, plays, musical entertainment, artists’ showcases, visiting artists, needlework classes, bake sales and book readings.

Ellendale is proudly hosting the Smithsonian Institution’s “Journey Stories” exhibit, through March 14. Noted North Dakota Historian Clay Jenkinson will present his "Journey Story" at the Church of the Nazarene on US Hwy 281 at 2:30 pm on January 31. The city will continue to welcome traveling exhibits from the North Dakota Museum of Art and the North Dakota Heritage Center. On June 25, 2010, Ellendale will host the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life.

Ellendale’s volunteers make all of these activities possible. Dedicated residents of all ages spend countless hours planning and manning these various events.

Whether you’re coming for a day or coming to stay, take a closer look at Ellendale. Please visit our Web site, www.ellendalend.com, for more information on events and amenities. If you want to make a personal connection, call 701-349-2916 or 701-349-3252 or e-mail ellenjda@drtel.net or ellendal@drtel.net. We’ll be glad to help you!