Northwest Hotel was one of several hotels owned by Edward Patterson

Edward G. Patterson (1866-1945) was a prominent local businessman, politician, and amateur boxer who is best known as the owner of the prominent McKenzie Hotel (later Patterson Hotel), in addition to serving as Bismarck’s mayor from 1896-1900.

Edward Patterson was married to Agatha in 1886¹, and they moved to Bismarck shortly after. Their only child, Saddie, was born in 1888, however passed away just one year later. Following Agatha’s death in 1923, he was later remarried to Rose Judge Patterson.

Patterson was close friends with political boss Alexander McKenzie, who opened the McKenzie Hotel in 1911. Patterson would later purchase the hotel from McKenzie, and in 1927, he renamed it Patterson Hotel.

Former Patterson Hotel / McKenzie Hotel

Edward and his wife had entered the hotel business when they purchased the Sheridan House Hotel in 1893. Following the 1898 fire, they were forced to relocate their hotel to make room for the new Northern Pacific Train Depot, and in turn renamed it Northwest Hotel, which later served as the headquarters of the Nonpartisan League until being destroyed by fire in 1921, at which time the League’s headquarters were established at the Patterson Hotel. The Pattersons also owned and operated the Soo Hotel and Grand Palace Hotel prior to the McKenzie Hotel/Patterson Hotel.

Edward Patterson passed away in November 1945. Edward’s wife, Rose Patterson, continued operating the hotel until her own death in 1975. The building was condemned five years later and underwent major renovation.

In addition to his hotel business ventures, Patterson was a major real estate developer, serving as a chief rival to entrepreneur Edmond Hughes.

¹One source states that Edward Patterson moved to Bismarck in 1882, however Bismarck Pride has been unable to confirm this.

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