Kathryn, ND
Kathryn is a beautiful little town in Barnes county, nestled in the Sheyenne River Valley. It is more of a small town than a near-ghost town with a population of 57. There’s a nice little bar in Kathryn, and one or two more businesses as well as some nicely maintained homes. We decided to photograph Kathryn because there were also some photogenic abandoned buildings.
If you decide to drive the Sheyenne River Valley Scenic Byway, Kathryn is the perfect non-touristy place to stop in for a beer.
The former bank.
This bank is undergoing a renovation.
Rat was snapping photos of this old jail when he walked around the corner and saw this mannequin staring out at him. He got a little jolt from that!
We spoke with a local resident named Roger who showed us this old photo of the hotel — the building shown below.
This is the old hotel today — the Rusty Spur Cafe
The former harness shop.
Photos by Troy and Rat, copyright Sonic Tremor Media LLC
Very cute little town.
Fantastic to see such pride in a small town, signifying it is still “home” to those that are there….even if others have left. (This is not too far from my old town of Cuba).
I’m a N.D.native living in Minneapolis, I really enjoy following your adventures via Facebook. Keep up the great work and thanks!
You really do an excellent job with your photography.
Thank You !!
My sister-in-law lives in this town. Very interesting to see pictures. I have eaten at the cafe.
How was the food?
Common, ordinary, but good.
having grown up here it is sad to see how there is so little left of what once was a thriving town…what was….will never be.
My grandparents lived right by Kathryn when I was a child, on the Sheyenne River, but I never saw the actual town until now! I remember my dad telling me about the bar. The owner opened it when he felt like it.
pam, I’m curious, who were your grandparents, and Olive, who is your sister-in-law
Helen Gwienap
John and Anna Kolrud.
I Live in Florida and this is a beautiful little town And would love living there because Im retired in 70`s….. Im a florida native… dont suppose any of yall wanna trade places for a few weeks….. Grins….. saturday july 28 2012…midnight eastern time… Ill try to return here…
Tom…if you’re going to visit, summer is the time to do it. I moved out of that area to Texas because I couldn’t handle the cold anymore
this little town sure brings back memories ,I remember the good times with Gary Ross and Douglas Eidsvig , and the little school on the hill ,the roller rink on wed.nite . those were just some of the people , Martha &Oscar (R.I.P.)
Perry Hawkins, there couldn’t be 2 with that name in Kathryn, ND. We were good friends back in the mid 50′s. Carol B. sent me this web site, and I am soooo impressed. AND then, I find a post by Perry Hawkins. Perry, email me at lwh79@hotmail.com Thanks, Larry H
I lived around Kathryn until 1950. I do go back almost every year as I have two sisters still living there. Sad to see what once was a booming town now only has a post office and a bar..
I was born in Kathryn in 1944 left in 1948. I have been trying to get some history of my grandparents who were Ervin and Genette (Tempte) Mickelsen. I know that Grandpa had the Bank and my dad and mom (Helen and Howard Mickelsen lived out of town on a farm. I believe my Grandparents home is still there and I sure would like a photo if anyone around knows which one it was. My dad had said it was sold to the Grain Elevator company for their manager to live in. I know that it was across the street from the Olsen’s and had a creek behind it and was fairly large.
It was interesting to read and see what it looks likke now. I have never been back (live in Seattle) but my parents did take a trip about 20 years ago. It is interesting to see the photos I was comparing them to a strip of movie film I have from about 1942 that shows the main street and a few of the residents that I have no idea of who they are except for my grandfather. My dad always had great stories of growing up in Kathryn.
It is so interesting seeing the pictures and reading comments with my relatives names in them. Also seeing that my aunt Jean wrote on this site. Kathryn is a lovely, peaceful little town. Whenever we would go to Waldheim for fall dinners, I would always think, this is God’s country. Time seems to slow down here and you know what is important.
I dearly love the whole Sheyenne Valley, a true hidden jewel. We are looking to move into the area and if anyone knows of an old farmstead, or vacant home, property that can be made available, we would be grateful to hear from you.
Sincerely,
jace@pennywhistle.net
Silly question, but does anyone know the purpose of the building design that features that flat streetfront face and then the pitched roof behind it? You can see it especially clearly in the top photo as well as a few of the others. Did this have something to do with acting as a windbreak or something? Just curious…
Hi Molly J.
You almost have it right. The flat front, facing the street was to give plenty of ‘canvas’ to paint the sign of the business plus hang any business related items like on the harness shop shown to the right on the first picture. Second it was to provide a uniformity of buildings facing the street. Every building was faced up to the sidewalk and you could see straight down with no buildings hidden by being away from the sidewalk.. They are all faced up to the sidewalks.
As far as the sloping roofs. Only one goal: Get the snow/sleet/rain etc., off the roofs as fast as possible. The longer it ‘stands’ or puddles on a less sloping roof, the more damage it will do and the sooner it will need a new roof.