Thrive and Survive: Conrad v. Tower City

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far. We in the East Coast have avoided virtually all of the crazy weather conditions that have plagued much of the Midwest and South. This month a new purchase and some interesting photos gave me impetus for my current article. Since by this time you all know how much I like an abandoned bank and small towns in general, I hope you enjoy our sojourn in Tower City, North Dakota, and Conrad, Iowa.

North Dakota had its heyday during the National Currency era, with thriving small agricultural and railroad towns, each having its own national bank (and in some cases, more than one.) But changes in technology, brutal weather, and reduced dependence on small farms and railroads turned many of these towns into ghosts or near ghosts.

I was fortunate to obtain a