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Ghost Towns of North Dakota: the past, present and future of Arena

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3 years ago

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Ghost Towns of North Dakota: the past, present and future of Arena


When you ask individuals about among the strangest or scariest locations within the nation, there’s likelihood they’ll level towards ghost cities.

You’ve most likely heard of them — small, deserted cities, often from the railroad days of the US, often nestled out within the plains exterior of main cities. And even in any case these years, there’s loads of them to go round — particularly in North Dakota.

When railroads first got here to North Dakota, they arrange cities all throughout the pathways. Now, there are believed to be 43 websites in North Dakota designated as ghost cities. What occurred to all of them?

As a way to perceive the historical past of ghost cities, we visited considered one of ourselves — particularly Area, one of the vital well-known within the state, positioned midway between Bismarck and Steele.

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Primarily settled by German immigrants and their descendants, little or no is left of this as soon as blossoming city. However what occurred to the world that led as much as it falling into the disrepair that so many ghost cities find yourself in?

Whereas we don’t have too many specifics, there’s sufficient studies from historic sources and web sites to a minimum of get a common picture of life in Area till its abandonment. Very similar to the encompassing space, residents of Area had been primarily invested in agriculture and had been identified for utilizing extra experimental farming strategies and gear, in addition to specializing in farming corn and livestock.

The difficulty, in fact, is definitely discovering proof of extra. Apart from a number of previous images, only a few information of the city nonetheless exist that we had been capable of dig up. Therein lies one of many hardest elements of researching the historical past of locations like Area — discovering historical past to analysis within the first place.

Sadly, chatting with former residents to recall their tales is almost unimaginable.

“The latest supply I discovered was from 1978, and it named individuals…however in fact, that’s 40 years in the past,” defined Lorna Meidinger with the State Historic Society of North Dakota. “I might say if there may be anyone left from Area, they’re undoubtedly retirement age. For these conditions, you’d have to search out any person who is aware of any person, as a result of these information are nonetheless non-public proper now.”

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Area was settled in 1906, and till the inhabitants began leaving en masse, the city was really fairly bustling for a small neighborhood on the time. Postcards from the 20s, which we’re unable to current for copyright causes, present companies which might be nowhere to be seen in fashionable occasions, like common shops, {hardware} outlets and a pool corridor. There was even a baseball crew, which steadily performed towards different close by small cities. However now, 100 years later, every thing I’ve described has vanished from the world fully.

Once we arrived within the city, we discovered ourselves in all that was left — a house, a picket schoolhouse, a church, two grain elevators and some sheds. Even placing the passage of time away, it’s baffling to see how a lot issues have modified for the reason that previous photographs. What’s it that drove individuals away from this place?

Small cities are frequent right here in North Dakota, and if the farmers and ranchers who’re nonetheless on the market are something to go by, the world close to the city is greater than able to supporting farming. Within the case of Area, it was a worthwhile place in its early years — however there have been a number of issues that ultimately ceased any likelihood Area had of rising. We are able to in fact blame the Mud Bowl and the Nice Melancholy, which have been cited as main causes, however there’s one other large facet to the creation of ghost cities: the appearance of the large metropolis.

“What precipitated Area’s decline was most likely twofold,” mentioned Meidinger. “The proximity to Bismarck and different cities precipitated individuals emigrate in direction of these. That entire period of right-sizing your farms and entry to extra jobs additionally contributed. There was loads of migration into the cities or completely out of the world only for pure economics.”

As individuals looked for will increase in availability and alternative, they left Area for greener pastures, metaphorically talking, in fact. This took its toll on the inhabitants, and by 1935 solely 35 residents had been left within the space. This was all earlier than the earliest aerials may very well be taken in Area (the earliest identified was captured in 1938).

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Regardless of the situation of the world, Area nonetheless stands…or, a minimum of, elements of it do. Some ghost cities throughout the US are well-preserved, however from the appears of it, North Dakota’s aren’t that fortunate. Whereas the residents of Area are doing their finest to maintain the world closed off and maintained, there’s not a lot that may be completed to convey it again from the brink, particularly when you think about the years of harsh climate beating down on the buildings.

Including to the deterioration, locals who search to take care of the city have famous that trespassers have steadily visited ghost cities to steal property and go away their marks. Sadly, judging by the graffiti and the overturned furnishings in each constructing home, these feedback come from an understandably worrying place.

Despite this, Area really managed to stay round for fairly some time afterwards and even acquired some extra additions. The picket schoolhouse standing there, now indistinguishable from the remainder of the city, was really moved to the world within the Seventies as a voting website. A neighborhood story recounts that the unique brick schoolhouse is claimed to have been buried on a hill close to the city.

It appears ironic that our curiosity in these small cities solely develops once they’re gone. Is it morbid curiosity? Perhaps. However there’s nonetheless lots we are able to achieve from them, even when it isn’t what the city’s house owners anticipated. However for individuals who do search to go to and examine these ghost cities, tearing them aside seeking a misplaced historical past, there’s one easy request.

Don’t.

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North Dakota

Best golf courses in North Dakota for 2024-25

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4 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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Best golf courses in North Dakota for 2024-25


By:

GOLF’s Course Raters and Ran Morrissett, Architecture Editor




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The Links of North Dakota is the top-ranked course in the state.

Courtesy

As part of GOLF’s rigorous ratings process for our newly released Top 100 Courses in the U.S. and Top 100 Courses You Can Play rankings, our fleet of 100-plus expert panelists identified the best golf courses in every state.

You can check out the links below to browse all of our course rankings, or scroll down to see the best courses in North Dakota. And if you’re looking to create your own trip in the future, you’d be wise to let GOLF’s new Course Finder tool assist you. Here, you can toggle all of our lists — Top 100 public, best munis, best short courses, best par-3s and more — or filter by price to create the perfect itinerary for your next trip.

GOLF’s other course rankings: Top 100 Courses in the World | Top 100 Courses in the U.S. | Top 100 Courses You Can Play | Top 100 Value Courses in the U.S. | America’s Best Municipal Courses | The 100 Best Short Courses in the World

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Check out our all-new travel podcast Destination GOLF. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts: APPLE | SPOTIFY | IHEART | AMAZON

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Explore our all-new Course Finder

Golf courses near you? Search here!

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The best golf courses in North Dakota (2024/2025)

SYMBOL GUIDE
# = Top 100 Course in the U.S.
Y = Top 100 You Can Play in the U.S.
V = Top 100 Value Course in the U.S.
P = Public/Resort

Ed. note: Some courses were omitted from our rankings because they did not receive enough votes.

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1. Links of North Dakota (Ray) [V, P]

2. Hawktree (Bismarck) [V, P]

Award-winning architect Jim Engh is best-known as a maximalist, but Hawktree’s main lines of defense are all natural. This Midwestern marvel rambles through glacier-carved land near the Missouri River, forcing players to contend with high plains winds and water that’s in play on 11 holes. When you arrive at Hawktree, the first thing you notice are the sweeping prairie vistas — 14 holes are visible from the clubhouse. The next thing you notice are the trademark bunkers, filled with black coal slag instead of white sand. By the end of the round, you’ll be thinking, “I need to play more golf in North Dakota.”

Hawktree golf course in North Dakota.
A gorgeous vista at Hawktree.

Patrick Koenig

3. Bully Pulpit (Medora) [V, P]

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4. Oxbow (Oxbow)

5. Fargo (Fargo)

How we rank our courses

For our newly released Top 100 U.S. and Top 100 You Can Play lists — a process that helped us create 50 best-in-state rankings — each panelist was provided a ballot that consisted of 609 courses. Beside the list of courses were 11 “buckets,” or groupings. If our panelists considered a course to be among the top three in the U.S., they ticked that first column. If they believed the course to be among Nos. 4-10, they checked that column, followed by 11-25, 26-50, and so on out to 250+ and even a column for “remove.” Panelists were also free to write in courses that they felt should have been included on the ballot.

Points were assigned to each bucket; to arrive at an average score for each course, we divide its aggregate score by the number of votes. From those point tallies, the courses are then ranked accordingly. It is an intentionally simple and straightforward process. Why? Because it historically has produced results that are widely lauded. Like the game itself, there’s no need to unnecessarily complicate things or try to fix something that already works so well.

The key to the process is the experience and expertise of our panel. Hailing from 15 nations and all the worldwide golf meccas, each of our 127 handpicked panelists has a keen eye for architecture, both regionally and globally. Many of our panelists have played more than 1,000 courses in 20-plus countries, some over 2,000. Their handicaps range from +5 to 15.

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Because the nature of course rating is so intensely subjective, no one opinion carries the day. The only way, then, to build meaningful consensus is to incorporate this diversity of panelists and experiences into one ranking.

Need help unriddling the greens at your home course? Pick up a custom Green Book from 8AM Golf affiliate GolfLogix.

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Montana State defeats South Dakota 31-17 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco

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12 hours ago

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December 22, 2024

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Montana State defeats South Dakota 31-17 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco


11:34 pm, December 21, 2024

Montana State defeated South Dakota, 31-17, to advance to the national title game.

The Bobcat defense stepped up big in the second half, holding South Dakota to only three points. In the fourth quarter, Montana State came up with two fourth down stops and a key fumble recovery on the final defensive possession.

Quarterback Tommy Mellot led the way offensively with 134 passing yards and a touchdown plus 125 rushing yards and two touchdowns. 

It’s the first title appearance for Montana State since 2021. Fittingly enough, Montana State played — and lost to — North Dakota State in the title game that year, the first for head coach Brent Vigen and quarterback Tommy Mellott. The Bobcats and Bison will meet in Frisco, Texas to play in the FCS National Championship Game on Monday, Jan. 6, 2025 at 7 p.m. ET.

Click or tap here for stats from the game

11:26 pm, December 21, 2024

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11:19 pm, December 21, 2024

After Montana State stopped South Dakota in the redzone on fourth down, the Coyote defense forced a punt to get the ball back. South Dakota will get the ball down 31-17 with 4:46 remaining and two timeouts.

11:00 pm, December 21, 2024

One quarter remains until we find out who the second FCS title game participant is. Montana State has a 14-point lead over South Dakota, 31-17 entering the fourth quarter. The Coyotes added a field goal with 2:11 to play in the third quarter to cut the deficit.

When play resumes, South Dakota will have the ball facing second-and-three at its own 40-yard line.

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See stats through three quarters below

stats

10:31 pm, December 21, 2024

Tommy Mellott showed off why he’s one of the most electrifying players in the FCS. Mellott dropped the snap, made a defender miss, hurdled another defender and darted 41 yards into the endzone. Montana State leads 31-14

9:57 pm, December 21, 2024

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A field goal lat in the second quarter gave Montana State a 10-point lead entering halftime. The score was another addition to an explosive first half.

South Dakota scored two touchdowns of 55 and 45 yards on the ground. However, the pass game hasn’t been as explosive as Aidan Bouman only has 76 yards through the air going 0-2 on third down. 

Montana State’s offense has been powered by Tommy Mellott. He’s 8-15 passing for 134 yards and a touchdown while rushing 13 times for 69 yards and a score. Mellott and the Bobcat offense have run 44 plays to South Dakota’s 16, while possessing the football for 20:28 to 9:24 for the Coyotes.

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When play resumes, South Dakota will receive the second half kickoff.

stats

9:30 pm, December 21, 2024

9:19 pm, December 21, 2024

It took just one play into the second quarter for South Dakota to tie the game up. Running back Charles Pierre Jr. rushed 45 yards to the house on the second big run for the Coyotes today.

9:15 pm, December 21, 2024

It’s been an explosive first quarter as both Montana State and South Dakota are moving the ball with ease for the most part. While both teams punted on their second possession, they scored quickly on their first.

Montana State’s third possession put them in front shortly before the first quarter expired as Tommy Mellott has two touchdowns, passing and rushing, for 90 yards passing and 29 yards rushing.

When play resumes, South Dakota will have the ball facing first-and-10 at the Montana State 45-yard line.

See first quarter stats below

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stats

9:10 pm, December 21, 2024

8:47 pm, December 21, 2024

South Dakota responded to a quick Montana State touchdown on its opening drive with a quick touchdown of its own. The Coyotes found the endzone in just five plays as running back Travis Theis ran 55 yards for a touchdown. 

8:41 pm, December 21, 2024

It took just six plays and a little over three minutes for Montana State to find the endzone in the FCS semifinals. Quarterback Tommy Mellott found wide receiver Taco Dowler for a 34-yard score to put the Bobcats up 7-0. It was the second time the duo connected on the drive as they connected for 20 yards on the first play of the game.

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8:38 pm, December 21, 2024

The second FCS semifinal game is underway as No. 4 South Dakota battles No. 1 Montana State. The Bobcats received the opening kickoff.

8:12 pm, December 15, 2024

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Here’s how to watch the 2024 FCS semifinal game between South Dakota and Montana State:

8:11 pm, December 15, 2024

Here are some of the top storylines and players to watch entering this year’s FCS semifinal game between South Dakota and Montana State.

Storylines

  • How they got here
    • South Dakota ended the regular season with plenty of momentum after knocking off North Dakota State in a top-five matchup. Once the postseason started, the Coyotes rallied past Tarleton State in an explosive second-round win before beating UC Davis without ever trailing in the quarterfinals.
    • Montana State has dominated the competition all season long as the only undefeated team remaining in the FCS. The Bobcats haven’t played a close game in the playoffs after averaging 50.5 points scored and a 32.5 margin of victory in two games.
  • Past matchups
    • Montana State and South Dakota have only met once in the two program’s histories. The Bobcats won the lone matchup in 2008, 37-18.
  • Coaching
    • Two Coaches of the Year will meet in the semifinals. Big Sky Coach of the Year Brent Vigen will face MVFC Coach of the Year Bob Nielson. Vigen was also named the Eddie Robinson Award winner as the FCS coach of the year.
  • What’s at stake
    • South Dakota is in uncharted territory making its first-ever semifinal appearance. It’s only the fourth FCS playoff season in Coyote history. Meanwhile, Montana State is still chasing its 1984 FCS championship. The Bobcats have only made one return to the title game since (2021), the first year of the Brent Vigen-Tommy Mellott era.

Players to Watch

Here are some players to watch from South Dakota

  • MVFC Offensive Player of the Year: DL Mi’Quise Grace

South Dakota All-MVFC Players

  • 1st Team | RB Charles Pierre Jr.
  • 1st Team | FB Travis Theis
  • 1st Team | OL Joey Lombard
  • 1st Team | TE JJ Galbreath
  • 1st Team | DL Nick Gaes
  • 1st Team | DL Mi’Quise Grace
  • 1st Team | DB Dennis Shorter
  • 2nd Team | OL Joe Cotton
  • 2nd Team | OL Bryce Henderson
  • 2nd Team | DL Blake Holden
  • 2nd Team | LB Gary Bryant III
  • 2nd Team | DB Mike Reid

Here are some players to watch from Montana State

  • Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year: QB Tommy Mellott
  • Big Sky Defensive Player of the Year: DL Brody Grebe
  • Big Sky Freshman of the Year: RB Adam Jones

Montana State All-Big Sky Players

  • 1st Team | QB Tommy Mellott
  • 1st Team | RB Scottre Humphrey
  • 1st Team | FB Rohan Jones
  • 1st Team | OL Marcus Wehr (unanimous)
  • 1st Team | OL Conner Moore
  • 1st Team | DL Brody Grebe (unanimous)
  • 1st Team | LB McCade O’Reilly
  • 1st Team | DB Rylan Ortt
  • 1st Team | PR Taco Dowler
  • 2nd Team | OL Titan Fleischmann
  • 2nd Team | OL Cole Sain
  • 2nd Team | DL Paul Brott
  • 2nd Team | LB Danny Uluilakep
  • 2nd Team | DB Andrew Powdrell
  • 2nd Team | P Brendan Hall





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North Dakota State defeats South Dakota State 28-21 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco

Published

20 hours ago

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December 21, 2024

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North Dakota State defeats South Dakota State 28-21 in FCS semifinals to advance to Frisco


North Dakota State and South Dakota State are tied at 14 apiece after the first half. It’s been a tightly-contested battle as most battles between the two rivals are.

South Dakota State has been able to lean on its running attack, gaining 111 yards to NDSU’s 53. Amar Johnson and Mark Gronowski have scored on the ground.

Meanwhile, Cam Miller has accounted for both North Dakota State touchdowns, scoring once with his legs and once with his arm. Miller also has been efficient, completing six of seven passes.

The biggest play of the first half was the lone turnover, a fumble by Amar Johnson that gave North Dakota State the ball in Jackrabbit territory. 

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When play resumes, North Dakota State will receive the second half kick. See first half stats below.





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