The One Town In North Dakota That’s So Perfectly Midwest

What do you think of when picturing a town that is “midwest?” A small town may come to mind, probably surrounded by farms. A town where all the businesses are on Main Street, and the rest is houses and the local churches. That place where there is a bakery that’s been there seemingly forever, and all the shops are locally owned without a chain store in sight. You know the type – that kind of midwest town, with all the charm that comes with it.

North Dakota is full of them, considering we’re in the upper midwest and are very agriculturally driven. There are so many to choose from, but if we could choose just one, Mayville might just be the perfect example, and here’s why:

Ross Griff/Flickr

It's not too big, and it's not too small. It fits the criteria of a typical midwest small town perfectly.

The town was founded in 1881 in Traill County. The name followed a common tradition of the time, which was to name the town after the first child born in the area when it was being settled. That child's name was May Arnold, and thus, Mayville.

Jimmy Emerson/Flickr

Andrew Filer/Flickr

Andrew Filer/Flickr

Located on Main Street, of course.

kevendief/Tripadvisor

stevenrealife/Tripadvisor

Willjay/Wikimedia

This historic school has been around since 1889, and the beautiful Old Main building (shown above) was one of the first and is still in use today.

Rainbow Garden and Sculpture Walk/Facebook

This unique garden is full of not only flowers and plants, but also sculptures by artists from all over the place. You can walk through the garden and enjoy the sights right outside of the town, surrounded by the fields and farms the town is located in.

What is your picture perfect midwest town? Here are more North Dakota towns that aren’t too big and aren’t too small – they’re just right.