Out Here on the Prairie

The sweet little town of Bottineau, North Dakota! Population around 2,000 - or more depending on the time of year. Because Bottineau is at the base of the Turtle “Mountains” - where Lake Metigoshe State Park is! 

While driving through town on the way to and from camping, I noticed how cute main street was. And of course the theater caught my eye! I love small town move theaters. 

From what I can find online, this place was open before the 1930s. It had various names over the years. It’s originally art deco, and apparently the lobby is the same style. It seats over 300. 

The town of Bottineau, originally “Oak Creek”, was founded in the later 1800s as an overnight stage coach stop and customs station.  

The entire town was moved south to be closer to railroad tracks being put in by the Great Northern Railroad. 

The town was very quiet the morning we drove through. I have a feeling that in the peak of summer it may be busier. Bottineau is nearby to lakes you can play in in summer and hills you can ski on in winter. But people with cabins on the lake would mostly only come here in summer. And schools had mostly started by the time we were here. 

Bottineau has something special that we were sad we missed - Pride Dairy. The last small town creamery in ND! Apparently their ice cream is wonderful. I love special, small town things like that. 

Overall, I think Bottineau has a lot of unique old buildings that I would like to return and photograph. It’s a neat small town with a lot going for it, simply due to its proximity to the Turtle “Mountains”. Hopefully I can return soon!