675 - Franklin on Fourth
This historic photo shows the Franklin on Fourth building in downtown Grand Forks, ND, when it operated as Valley Motor Company. Several Dodge Brothers cars and Graham Brothers trucks are lined up in front of the brick building, highlighting its role as an early automobile dealership and service center.
In 1894, with just a few dollars in his pocket, James W. Lyons, our grandfather, opened a bicycle repair shop on Demers. As times changed, he began to sell motorcycles and then automobiles, mainly the Franklin Motor Car, which had an air cooled engine. Eventually the business moved to North 4th Street where the new seven-story Franklin on Fourth is now located. This location is on one of Grand Fork's oldest commercial blocks, which was once occupied by four of the city's oldest buildings.
The facade of Franklin on Fourth echoes the architecture of the former streetscape where the old Lyons Auto was, set back from the street in the middle of the block. The name, Franklin on Fourth, draws on the 1933 Franklin automobile which was the last one sold out of Lyons.
By the mid-30s, with car sales dwindling, Lyons began to focus on selling oil, gas, and tires. And then once again, changing with the times, it became well known for selling auto parts and paint. At some point, the 1933 Franklin made its way back to the Lyons family and remained on this property for many years. It has been sensitively restored and rehomed into the new building as a tribute to the site's history. Lyons was one of Grand Fork's longest operating businesses. It remained family owned and operated until closing in 2019.
On the corner of University Avenue stood Jack's Roller Rink, an entertainment venue which was an important part of early 20th century social life. The venue hosted music performances as well as some sporting events. St. Michael's Church held services in the lower rink for two years after a fire destroyed the church in 1907. Local automobile owners used a basement to store their cars during winter. It was designated a fallout shelter during World War II, owing to its substantial construction. Between the Roller Rink and Lyons Garage stood another commercial and residential building. With apartments upstairs, Grand Forks Marble Works, which made memorials and headstones for cemeteries, occupied the main level.
The Franklin on Fourth continues the mixed use operations with both apartments and retail bringing a new vibrancy to downtown Grand Forks. The Lyons family is extremely proud of this project.