Arena, North Dakota facts for kids
Arena is what we call a "ghost town" in Burleigh County, North Dakota. It's a place that used to be a busy town but is now mostly abandoned. It's a reminder of how some towns grew and then faded away over time.
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The Story of Arena
Arena was founded in January 1906. At its busiest, it was home to about 150 people. It was a small but active community.
A Town's Beginning
When Arena was first established, it had several important businesses. There was a post office, which opened in 1906, and a general store where people could buy everyday items. Postcards from around 1924 show that Arena also had a hardware store, a farmer's store, and even a pool hall. Farmers could also sell their cream at one of the five cream buying stations, and a large grain elevator helped store crops.
Why Arena Faded Away
Arena, like many small towns, faced tough times. During the 1930s, a period known as the Great Depression hit the United States. This was a time when many people lost their jobs and money, and it became very hard for small towns to keep going. Arena's population slowly decreased.
The general store and post office stayed open for a long time, until 1996. Sadly, the building was later destroyed by vandals. Today, you can still see some burnt remains where the store once stood.
What Remains Today?
As of 2018, Arena is mostly empty. But you can still find some interesting things there:
- St. John's Lutheran Church, which still stands.
- An old wooden school house that was moved to Arena in the 1970s. It was used for voting. This school building was later removed because it was considered unsafe.
- Several abandoned homes.
- A railcar.
- Other small buildings that were once used for different purposes.
- The large grain elevator, which is still there.
In 2016, a house was moved to Arena, leading some people to wonder if someone might move in and bring life back to the town. However, a year later, it was clear that the town remained abandoned, with no signs of anyone planning to live there.
How Arena Got Its Name
The town of Arena was named because of its location. It sits in a shallow valley that is surrounded by hills. This natural setting made it look like an "arena," which is a flat area surrounded by raised seating, like a sports stadium.
