VALLEY CITY, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Valley City was designated an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service in 2024. The recognition honors the contributions of cities, and their citizens who stepped up to support America’s war effort.

A trail of exhibits has been set up in Valley City to highlight the achievements made by community members during the war.

Valley City State University President Dr. Alan LaFave said one of those exhibits honors those who trained here to become Naval Aviators during World War II.

Another exhibit honors nuns with the Presentation Sisters who were Prisoner’s of War (POW’s) during World War II. Those women came back to Valley City to teach students at St. Catherine’s School.

The Heritage City logo was painted this summer on the south side of the Central Avenue Health Mart Pharmacy building in downtown Valley City.

Valley City is the only city in North Dakota to receive the honor of being named an American World War II Heritage City by the National Park Service.