HISTORIC HOMES DESIGN&LIVING
Hector's
Built in 1893, the infamous Hector house on Broadway is now the home of Dr. Mary Aaland. Aaland is a North Dakota native, surgeon and currently the director of the Rural Surgery Support
HISTORIC ROOTS According to Fargo History Project, an NDSU Public History Initiative, the Hector house, a neo-classical influenced, Queen Anne-style house with asymmetrical roofline was built in 1893 by Martin Hector, pioneer Fargo banker. Hector is widely considered to be one of the most influential pioneers in Fargo, helping build the foundation of Fargo's success story. He lived in Fargo most of his life and died here in 1938. Hector gave the city of Fargo the land which is now known as Hector Airport.
Sources: Fargo History Project, an NDSU Public History Initiative http://fargohistory.com/martin-hector/ NDSU Institute for Regional Studies:
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DESIGN & LIVING | S E P T E M B E R 2 016
MAIN LEVEL Aaland purchased the home in 2011 and she has since restored the exterior and entire main floor of this spectacular mansion. A floor plan built for entertaining Fargo's elite, this showpiece home features mahogany and oak woodwork with five marble fireplaces. "The previous owners did a good job of taking out the '60s look," said Aaland. "They're the ones that got all of the carpet covering the oak off. They really did a fine job, but to take it to the next level, that became my project." Aaland is no stranger to renovating homes and has always owned older homes. Due to her career as a surgeon, Fargo is Aaland's 14th city she's called home. A self-described poor kid who grew up on a North Dakota farm, Aaland said, "People look at this and may make comments about the rich doctor here, but I know, I grew up with nothing. It's just a lot of hard work. I do two things, I work and I like to come home. My home
is really my hobby." Featured on HGTV's "House Hunters" three times, Aaland says that each time it would take eight to 10 hours to shoot for the episode. Humbled and honored by their later interest in her renovations, her home is currently the most featured home to air on "House Hunters."
BY TRACY NICHOLSON • PHOTOS BY J. ALAN PAUL PHOTOGRAPHY
Program for the University of North Dakota. Purchasing a home well known for its elaborate entertaining and famous guests, it's only suitable that it also gain popularity in modern times with three stints on HGTV's "House Hunters." It was first featured in 2011 as Aaland was purchasing her home, and again one year later following the first phase of her renovations. Continued interest in Aaland's restoration then led to a third appearance in March 2015. With a goal of restoring the home's architecture to its original glory, Aaland keeps its rich legacy alive, one room at a time.