Why was Ralph's torn down?
It was a combination of flood protection, the construction of a new bridge, and a downtown redevelopment project.
After the historic 1997 flood, the North Dakota and Minnesota Departments of Transportation proposed replacing the 61-year-old Main Avenue Bridge with a new span 3-6 feet higher to allow the flood-prone Red River room to flow. That required longer bridge approaches, so all the buildings between Ralph’s and the river were demolished. The back side of Ralph’s and four other businesses along the west side of 4th street were now the first thing people saw when entering Moorhead.
The City of Moorhead took the bridge construction project as an opportunity to rebuild this section of downtown. In June 2004, the City told the businesses to either create plans for fitting into the new development or have the City take their businesses through eminent domain. Four businesses quickly sold their properties to the City. Ralph’s was the last holdout.
After the historic 1997 flood, the North Dakota and Minnesota Departments of Transportation proposed replacing the 61-year-old Main Avenue Bridge with a new span 3-6 feet higher to allow the flood-prone Red River room to flow. That required longer bridge approaches, so all the buildings between Ralph’s and the river were demolished. The back side of Ralph’s and four other businesses along the west side of 4th street were now the first thing people saw when entering Moorhead.
The City of Moorhead took the bridge construction project as an opportunity to rebuild this section of downtown. In June 2004, the City told the businesses to either create plans for fitting into the new development or have the City take their businesses through eminent domain. Four businesses quickly sold their properties to the City. Ralph’s was the last holdout.
Trying to Save Ralph's
Patrons of Ralph’s started a grass-roots campaign to save their bar. Letters to the editor written by musicians, a professor, and the president of the Fargo- Moorhead Heritage Society tried to convince officials that this bar was special.
To this day, Moorhead residents are still bitter about losing most of their historic buildings to urban renewal in the 1970s. “Of all the advice the public offered for Moorhead’s proposals for downtown,” reported The Forum on March 2, 2000, “one point was clear. Leave the old buildings alone.” The editorial board of the The Forum scolded the City for their unwillingness to work with the business owners and the High Plains Reader helped the bar organize a petition to let Ralph’s stay.
On November 2, 2004, threatened with eminent domain and just hours before the City Council met to discuss condemning the bar, owner Don Wood accepted a buy-out offer.
To this day, Moorhead residents are still bitter about losing most of their historic buildings to urban renewal in the 1970s. “Of all the advice the public offered for Moorhead’s proposals for downtown,” reported The Forum on March 2, 2000, “one point was clear. Leave the old buildings alone.” The editorial board of the The Forum scolded the City for their unwillingness to work with the business owners and the High Plains Reader helped the bar organize a petition to let Ralph’s stay.
On November 2, 2004, threatened with eminent domain and just hours before the City Council met to discuss condemning the bar, owner Don Wood accepted a buy-out offer.
Last Call VIP Pass
What was the last night like? “Chaos,” Mark Schutz said. Mark, a doorman and a regular since the early ‘80s, received a VIP pass to cut in front of the line. “When I got there, the line was beyond the railroad tracks” at the end of the block. “It was way beyond capacity; you could barely get to the bar. I think the only reason I got a drink is I knew all the bartenders.”
Loaned courtesy of Mark Schutz
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Rolling Rock Sign Allegedly, this sign is one of the many things that "left" the building with nostalgic patrons on the last day. Anonymously Donated HCSCC does not accept stolen property as donation for its historical collection, for display, or any other purpose. Permission was sought from the Wood Family for the items taken from Ralph's as souvenirs. |
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The Auction
On May 31, 2005, ten days after the Last Call, the bar held an auction. Useful bar and restaurant equipment went for a steal - $25 for a walk-in freezer, two mop buckets for a buck. The big-ticket items were the few mementos that hadn’t already been swiped in the previous weeks. Booths fetched $200-300. “This will be the first birthday in 17 years I’m not in this bar,” Stacy Lavelle said, “but I’ll be drinking in the booth.” Melissa Lucht also bought a booth. She sat in it, hugged a friend, and cried.
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Auction Number Ralph’s Auction number. Rebecca Horsley and friend Rebecca Nelson were outbid for their usual table at the May 31, 2005, auction – the winning bidders said it was their usual table, too. The two parties hugged and exchanged numbers. On the way home, Horsley received a phone call – they wanted her to have the table. The table has a place of honor in Rebecca Horsely’s home today. Loaned courtesy of Rebecca Horsley. |
Ralph’s Shrine
Rebecca Horsley has a little “shrine” to Ralph’s in her home in Horace, ND. It includes a Ralph’s table, an original painting The Other Corner that Rocked by Mitchel Scott Hoffart, a print of Kim Jore’s popular watercolor of the Ralph’s sign, and a small framed digital print of the sign by Christy Johnson. Rebecca Horsley photo. |
Rebecca Horsley and Rebecca Nelson, regulars since college, at Ralph’s shortly before it closed in 2005.
Rebecca Horsley photo.
Rebecca Horsley photo.
Ralph's Reunions
Ralph’s Reunions were held on the 5th and 10th anniversaries of Ralph’s closing as well as a 2018 reunion in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the arts and culture zine Yahtzeen. Each reunion centered around a concert at the Aquarium featuring some of the favorite bands who played at Ralph’s. Several bands reunited for these occasions.
Ralph's Legacy
Ralph’s Reunions were held on the 5th and 10th anniversaries of Ralph’s closing as well as a 2018 reunion in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the arts and culture zine Yahtzeen. Each reunion centered around a concert at the Aquarium featuring some of the favorite bands who played at Ralph’s. Several bands reunited for these occasions.
The Aquarium
When Ralph’s closed, Fargo-Moorhead’s independent music scene needed a new home. J. Earl Miller, Ralph’s bar manager and music promoter, still had contracts to fulfill with several bands. Miller and others, including sound guys Ryan Cofer and Josh Voeltz, held concerts in venues around town for almost a year, lugging the sound system around in a cargo van.
In March of 2006, brothers Klaus and Burt Myers opened Dempsey’s Public House on Broadway in Fargo. They offered Miller and the others a new venue in the large room above their bar. Miller named it The Aquarium after an old Moorhead bar. They built a stage and set up the old Ralph’s sound system and cash register. Since 2006, The Aquarium has been a home for the music that once played in the back room of Ralph’s.
Harold’s On Main
In 2019, seven guys who played in bands and hung out at Ralph’s decided to open a bar in Moorhead with that same vibe. In many ways, Harold’s On Main is nothing like Ralph’s. The midcentury-modern-inspired bar is clean and smells nice. But like Ralph’s, the “classy dive bar” is dark, warm, and misfit-friendly, and their $3 Hamm’s pints are a nod to the philosophy of cheap beer for all. Musicians who once played at Ralph’s now play on the patio. The stools and booths are filled with old Ralph’s refugees and a mix of people from all walks of life.
Jade Presents
Jade Nielsen organized his first concert in about 1990 as a benefit for his brother, who was sick with cancer. He began a career as a music promoter before he knew what one was. Jade started organizing shows in the back room of Ralph’s for local bands and national bands touring through the area. Today, Jade Presents is the largest music promoter in the region, with ties to several local cultural institutions.
The Aquarium
When Ralph’s closed, Fargo-Moorhead’s independent music scene needed a new home. J. Earl Miller, Ralph’s bar manager and music promoter, still had contracts to fulfill with several bands. Miller and others, including sound guys Ryan Cofer and Josh Voeltz, held concerts in venues around town for almost a year, lugging the sound system around in a cargo van.
In March of 2006, brothers Klaus and Burt Myers opened Dempsey’s Public House on Broadway in Fargo. They offered Miller and the others a new venue in the large room above their bar. Miller named it The Aquarium after an old Moorhead bar. They built a stage and set up the old Ralph’s sound system and cash register. Since 2006, The Aquarium has been a home for the music that once played in the back room of Ralph’s.
Harold’s On Main
In 2019, seven guys who played in bands and hung out at Ralph’s decided to open a bar in Moorhead with that same vibe. In many ways, Harold’s On Main is nothing like Ralph’s. The midcentury-modern-inspired bar is clean and smells nice. But like Ralph’s, the “classy dive bar” is dark, warm, and misfit-friendly, and their $3 Hamm’s pints are a nod to the philosophy of cheap beer for all. Musicians who once played at Ralph’s now play on the patio. The stools and booths are filled with old Ralph’s refugees and a mix of people from all walks of life.
Jade Presents
Jade Nielsen organized his first concert in about 1990 as a benefit for his brother, who was sick with cancer. He began a career as a music promoter before he knew what one was. Jade started organizing shows in the back room of Ralph’s for local bands and national bands touring through the area. Today, Jade Presents is the largest music promoter in the region, with ties to several local cultural institutions.