In 1902, the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and the Deering Harvester Company (two competitors nearly equal in sales) merged to form the International Harvester Company.

In 1904, the International Harvester Company acquired the property at 804 1st Avenue North in Fargo for the purpose of building a Branch House.

The building has been designated a historic structure by the North Dakota Historical Society. The photograph is from the State Historical Society of North Dakota Museum Collection 0288-20.

The main floor was utilized solely for shipping and receiving. Implements were received from the factory in crates via railroad, distributed to implement dealers of the region according to orders and followed by an expert who could provide training in assembly of the implements. Loading docks on two sides of the facility provided an efficient means for both receiving and shipping.

A large display area was located on the second floor as well as offices of sales, accounting and administration. Customers entering the building were directed to the second floor via an elaborate stairway. The third floor of the building housed parts.

Interestingly, the building was listed in Fargo telephone books as 804 First Avenue as long as it was occupied by International Harvester. It was still so listed in 1959. By 1962, International harvester had moved to 4500 West main Avenue. The 1977 Fargo City Directory lists the building at 704 First Avenue and as then occupied by as a warehouse for Plunkett's Furniture. By 1985 the was occupied by Famous Brand Furniture.

I am not sure why the building was listed as both 704 and 804 First Avenue. Of course, the building actually faces Seventh Street, not First Avenue.

In 1997, the building became home for the Plains Art Museum.