Nanson: A North Dakota Ghost Town
Rolette County
Abandoned as of 5/12
As we set out to photograph ghost towns in early May of 2012, we had Nanson in mind as our ultimate destination. We’ve known about Nanson for quite some time, but somehow we just never managed to make it there — it was time.
After driving all day through an array of locations, we reached US Highway 2 and drove into Rugby for some lunch before we headed for Nanson. We enjoyed some huge double cheeseburgers at the Cornerstone Cafe and departed for Nanson.
As we headed north of Highway 2 we were struck by the wide open space and the brilliant blue sky. The green rolling hills bring to mind the opening sequence of ‘Little House on the Prairie.’ The trees get more sparse, and farmsteads flash by less frequently. Traffic diminishes and the solitude presses in. And just when you think you’ve driven through a time portal to the 1800′s, a wind farm appears over the horizon and dozens of turbines with giant white blades spin lazily in the prairie wind.
We traveled a few dozen miles and arrived at our turn — from a paved two lane highway to a hard-packed, chalky dirt road. We were only able to drive a few hundred feet before we were forced to get out and walk due to deep potholes with puddles at the bottom. We had arrived at Nanson.
Today, only four homes and a few scattered garages and outbuildings remain of the town that was once Nanson. Incredibly, there was not a powerline or telephone pole to be seen. The only sign that people once inhabited the place was the crumbling remains of family homes, all arranged in a line on the west side of the road.
The moment we stepped off the road, we discovered Nanson is inhabited — infested is more the word — the ticks were unbelievable. To capture the photos you see below, we accepted the price of having to pick ticks off ourselves all the way home and into the next day — and we did.
Visitors to our website have commented on a store which operated in Nanson until the 1970′s… that store is no longer in Nanson. It has been moved to the Hawk Antique and Farm Machinery Museum near Wolford.
This home is the first one you come upon when entering Nanson from the south.
It’s difficult to see but there are pieces of concrete everywhere beneath the grass and a concrete pad in the upper left of this photo… the remains of a building which used to stand at the southern end of town.
This garage is all that remains of a home that once stood at the north end of Nanson.
An open foundation in the center of town has become a dump for bottles and cans.
Photos by Troy and Rat, copyright Sonic Tremor Media LLC
There used to be a general store in Nanson back in the 50′s and 60′s (and early 70′s?) where we (my sisters and I) would shop for items from the 30′s and 40′s. Fond memories of the dusty bargains….
The Cornerstone Cate is a great spot to have a meal. My father lives in Rugby I like to stop in there when I go to visit.
Have you ever been to Sarles? It was a great little town to raise kids and just enjoy life. Some of the best times of my life are of there. Its still is.
use the search feature on the right side, Darla. You’ll be pleased to find some photos of the Sarles school in our Points of Interest category.
What memories this article brings back. I lived in one of those houses in Nanson when I was nine years old and walked to the little white schoolhouse next door. A big event of the summer was walking to the depot to “meet” the train twice a day. Later we moved to Rugby and I graduated from high school there.
Thank you for your website. My mother was from ND and I truly enjoy learning about all the old towns. Thanks
I remember going there as a little kid with my family to visit relatives that ran the general store. My mother if I remember correctly had a farm there. I have a great memory of that visit and watching the train go by past the store. Also, tons of photos.
Robert Braaten-Grant.
Explored the townsite and buildings in summer of 2010 with my wife on the way to my high school class 10 year reunion in Minot. Lots of ticks for us too, but not so many that we picked them off all day long.
upon looking at the photos it makes a person very sad,, All those homes belonged to someone, and there is history there, but now almost forgotten, as so many other little towns were, because everyone was lured to the big city.. Forgetting how peaceful, and serene life was out on the prairie,. Many say it was so lonely, and hard to make a living,, but even today it can be that, if we dont stop to count our blessings. Ticks,, yes, those little creatures are all over, so do a tick check no matter where you walk,, they are bad news…
Great job on your site! It looks like you’ve put a lot of work into this.
Lots of history, useful information and many good images.
Great story. I love reading about these old towns so close to where I live. I live a few miles from Nanson. Anyway, have you ever checked out Thorn? Like Nanson, it was once a town of a few people. There used to be a general store there & a few houses. My dad & uncle talk about it a lot. I love the random conversations they have about the “olden days” and as I pass these once bubbling towns, I always get lost in my mind wondering what life was like back then. I love history.
Wow! Great memories! We used to go there with our Dad and get school clothes. He used to like to “tip a few” with the man who ran the store – Henry, we think and Adolph, who ran the bar. I think he lived in the house or had the bar right next to the store – it seemed we could “leap” from one to the other they were so close together!!
I remember some of the best fireworks I have seen in life was in Nanson on the fourth of July? I remember shopping in that general store for penny candy. Mom always claimed they had the best deli bologna!
yes nanson was the place wed take our cream down there and henry johnson would take the cream cans in back n weigh them and empty the cans and mom would buy our shoes clothes n food still have money leftover wow will never see those days again ever..miss nanson lots…marcie graber laporte
I live a few miles from there and have never actually went and saw it for myself–going ot have to this weekend! I love old buildings!!
WOW!!! Talk about memories! My cousin( 2nd or 3rd? ) Henry Johnson ran the store, It was a treasure shop! I loved it!….I spent many days there when I was 5 , 1975. We lived outside of Rolette for about 6 months , but being from California , couldn’t hang with the cold..COLD weather
My family , the Johnson’s settled that town. A friend just sent me these pictures and the article. So interesting and strange to see
WOW! What a blast from the past! My grandfather, Linus Johnson, built the 1st store there in Nanson ( which burned to the ground with half the town when a spark from the train set the dry grass on fire-so the story went) My mother, Sonja, grew up there and went to the school that was there. When I was back there in the 70′s- Henry (my 2nd cousin) had the store and I actually got to work for him. That store was unbelievable! And I remember the hot-dog links in the meat case and the cream station in the back behind the postoffice mail slots….the old gas pumps in front and the out-house in back. Good times! Thanks so much for sharing your experience!