North Dakotan ghost towns
One of the features in January’s National Geographic is titled “The Emptied Prairie” and explores the increasing number of ghost towns in North Dakota. (If you don’t want to take time to read the story — which I encourage you to do — at least take a look at the stunning photography.)
I’ll admit it up front: I’ve always had a strange affinity toward North Dakota. When you grow up in Minnesota’s Northland, you know the enemies are Wisconsin and Iowa. South Dakota is a bit odd, conversations about South Dakotans would inevitably lead to accusations of inbreeding. North Dakota, though, gets a sort of free ticket, similar to Canada. Sure, they exist, but they don’t really bother a person, so let everyone get along just so long as no one says anything to another. (Plus I knew a lot of North Dakotans, growing up in the Lutheran Brethren church.) One of my favorite sweatshirts is my NDSU hoodie, and many friends have taken advantage of their comparatively outstanding higher education system.
North Dakota was a flatter, less populated Minnesota. And it is the eastern most “real” western state. I remember the first time I went to North Dakota and looked out at the vast expanse of land. There isn’t a need for things like trees there, just land. Trees end up getting in the way of the view. I was used to looking at lakes dropping off at the horizon, but when its just empty land I still think the horizon is further off than on water.
Those who know me well enough will know that this article prompted a new travel and exploration idea. And I encourage everyone to do the same. North Dakota doesn’t get much tourism. Let’s face it: its flat, windy and it snows a lot. There’s no way around it, and not much market for that combination. But I guarantee you if you have the opportunity to trek up there, you’ll feel more connected with our nation’s explorers of old. You’ll be captured by the excitement and mysticism of the American west. And I’m sure that in these towns, you’ll feel more connected to this piece of America than you ever could by reading a high school history book.