In 1882, Levi Peterson and Martin N. Johnson founded Petersburg. They came to Larimore by train to find land where they could make a town. They decided to name the town in order to have a Post Office. They flipped a coin to see who would have the honor or naming the town. Peterson son the toss and named it Petersburg in honor of his name. It was the name of his birthplace also; Petersburg, Norway.
Businesses in Petersburg in the past were two banks, a bowling alley, barber shop, a laundromat, Togo's Coffee House, a blacksmith shop, Hooty's Tavery, Iverson Fairway store, opera house, a few gas stations, five elevators, a couple of cafes' and more.
L.B. Ray organized the Bank of Petersburg in 1900. It was changed to the First National Bank in May of 1918. It was consolidated with the Citizens State Bank in 1930. And is now called Choice Financial.
P.I.Flem and Peter P. Hildre opened the first bowling alley in 1903. The bowling alley was only open for a couple of years. It became popular so popular that there was a ladies only night. Later it was used as a pool hall. Even later, it was used as a confectionary. The second floor of the building was used for dancing.
Arnold O. Erickson bought the old creamery and turned it into a laundromat in 1964. That building no longer stands. Ole Opeal opened Togo's Coffee House in 1902. It was located just east of Vance Johnson's former service station.
Michael Broton, a blacksmith from Norway opened Broton's Blacksmith Shop in 1885. A new shop was rebuilding in 1902. In 1918, James Broton took over the shop until 1957 when he sold it to his son Dwaine Broton. In 1948, a fire burned forn the shop and another was built in the same location. Dwaine Broton has since sold the building to Kevin Sundre.
Hooty's Tavern opened in 1934 by E.P. Erickson. It was sold to Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Omild. Gertrude Brown was the manager of Hooty's Tavern. The name of the bar was then called the Town Pump. This building is now demolished.
Iverson Fairway Store was building in 1956. It was owned and operated by Olar Iverson and his wife until August 1, 1975. Morris and Joyce Iverson bought the store and changed the name of the store to Iverson Hartz in 1980. The Iverson's sold this building to Hartvig Reiten who is the present owner.
Petersburg like any other small town has had many clubs. The Sons of Norway is still active and began in 1908.
The Petersburg Cornet Band was organized in about 1902. For many years, the band was active playing for celebrations. Some of the places the band played were Red Willow Lake, Stump Lake, Bachelors Grove and neighboring towns. Annual concerts were held in the bandstand on main street of Petersburg. In 1905, several men began to sing as a group during the winter months for a pasttime and formed the Norrona Chorus. In 1913 the chorus became a member of the Red River Valley Scandinavian Singers Association and the chorus participated in the first singers festival at Devils Lake. This society joined the Norwegian Singers Association of America.
The American Legion Auxiliary was organized in Petersburg on October 18, 1933. This organization still exists today.
The Modern Day Homemakers were organized in 1977. They held an annual craft bazaar and published a cookbook. This group has since disbanded. The Town and Country Homemakers orgained in 1950. The 21'ers Homemaker Club was organized in 1950. They chose this name because they were the twenty first club to organize in Nelson County.
The first 4-H club was organized in 1920. Ray Andrews was the leader. In 1956 the Aaler Happy Gant was organized. The last 4-H club in Petersburg was called the Neighborhood Pals. There are currently no 4-H clubs in Petersburg.
The Petersburg Lions Club was organized in 1977. They have helped many over the years.
The Petersburg Curling Club was constructed in the fall of 1960. The cost of the project was $20,000. This is still a very active club and curling will take place again this winter.
There were two churches in Petersburg. There was a Methodist Churth and a Lutheran Church. Both churches were building around the same time 1907. The Methodist church wa sold to the Petersburg Coop Creamery Association in 1930. It was then remodeled into a creamery. The Petersburg Lutheran Church is still very active with services each Sunday.
Present businesses in Petersburg are: post office, Choice Financial, Nettiques, Tri-County Water, Mork Insurance, Town Pump II, Petersburg Oil Corporation, Hoverson Repair, S & S Agri Service, Petersburg/Dahlen Farmers Elevator, Engstrom Bean Plant,