Welcome to North Dakota’s first skyscraper, which was originally named the McKenzie Hotel after local political leader, Alexander McKenzie. Built by local politician, and a friend of Alexander McKenzie, Edward Patterson’s modern marvel at the time held the accolade of being North Dakota’s tallest building until 1934 when the new capitol building was completed.

Fires plagued the prairies and frontier towns alike. Bismarck was devastated by fires in 1898, and San Francisco’s 1906 earthquake still loomed heavy on the minds of Americans at the time. Ed Patterson endeavored to construct a building that could withstand both potential disasters. Construction began in April of 1910, and utilized the most modern construction techniques of the time with Chicago Style architecture. Eight months later, and at a cost of $150,000, the Hotel was completed and boasted of “steel reinforced concrete” to be both “fireproof and shockproof.” Inside, it featured marble countertop tables, and rich mahogany furniture. There was a barber shop, a billiards room, and even “Turkish-Russian sea and plain baths.” This place was fancy. Prior to the grand opening, Ed Patterson is quoted in the Bismarck Tribune saying,

“If it had not been for Alex McKenzie, there would have been no Bismarck worthwhile. His work made it possible that there be demand for such a hotel and I made up my mind that, as long as I was putting up a building that would be sure to endure for many years, I would make it, in some measure, a tribute to and appreciation of the man who did so much for Bismarck.”

Patterson didn’t cut any corners. In fact, upon opening it was the largest hotel within a four state region. In an effort to avoid property taxes, he continued construction on the building–expanding from seven stories to ten, as property taxes were not collected at the time so long as the building was undergoing construction. Evidence of the lingering expansion can be viewed today by the multiple shades of exterior colors found toward the top of the building. The name of the hotel was officially changed to the Patterson Hotel in March of 1927, though there are numerous instances recorded of it having been called, “The Patterson” as early as 1922, following the death of Alexander McKenzie.

Currently, the Peacock Alley Bar and Grill, which opened in 1933, serves the community of Bismarck, and is our oldest restaurant still in operation.