North Dakota’s Oldest Business Is Older Than The State Itself

North Dakota's oldest business is nearly as old as dirt.

Yep, North Dakota's longest-running business has been around longer than the Peace Garden State itself. More on this business in just a moment.

In case you need a refresher from history class, North Dakota was admitted to the United States as the 39th state on November 2nd, 1889.

South Dakota joined the Union on the same date, but is considered the 40th state because they were listed alphabetically.

(SEE ALSO: North Dakota's smallest towns for 2025)

North Dakota's oldest business precedes the state's admission into the Union.

According to an article I came across from the Wyoming Attorney, which lists the oldest business in each state is none other than the Bismarck Tribune right here in Bismarck.

The Bismarck Tribune started operation back in 1873, 16 years before North Dakota became a state.

I wonder what a newspaper delivery boy received for pay back in 1873?

My first job was delivering newspapers for the Grand Forks Herald as a young boy. I can't say it was a lot of fun delivering newspapers during the wintertime in Grand Forks, but I didn't mind it during the warmer months. Although getting up early each day as a 10-year-old was a grind.

How about the oldest businesses in our neighboring states?

South Dakota - Look's Market (restaurant/bar), 1883, located in Sioux Falls.

Minnesota - Fred W. Radde & Sons (auctioneer) 1883, located in New Germany.

Montana - Bale of Hay Saloon (restaurant/bar), 1863, located in Virginia City.

There you go, a little nostalgia for North Dakota and our surrounding states. Speaking of the Bismarck Tribune, don't forget to vote for us (US 103-3) in their "Best of the Best" contest starting in June.