"Remember the Red River Valley" Top 5 Page for this destination Grand Forks by yooperprof

"Red River Valley" is a famous 19th century folk song that was popularized as a "cowboy ballad" in the 1920s. Woody and Arlo Guthrie both recorded covers of the song.

The Red River Valley is also a rich and fertlle region which is recent years has been prone to a series of devastating spring floods. (My climate science friends say that people in this area had better be prepared for much more flooding in the future!)

This photo is of a flood marker in the downtown area of Grand Forks. In the flood of 1997, the waters were as high as the top of monument.

From this valley they say you are going.
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile,
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our pathway a while.

So come sit by my side if you love me.
Do not hasten to bid me adieu.
Just remember the Red River Valley,
And the one that has loved you so true.

Mark twain?

Grand Forks ND was established in the late 19th century by steamboat captain Alexander Griggs (1838-1903), a partner with railway magnate James Hill in opening the Red River Valley to settlement and development. The piece was unveiled in 2001, and is the work of lMinneapolis-based artists Nicholas Legeros and Heidi Hoy.