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Dr. Isern’s final lecture for this course was about community on the plains. Isern discussed the great sense of community that has been found on the plains for as long as there have been people here. I found it interesting to hear him talk about how when the overnight boom towns came with the railroads, a sense of community came almost instantly. Isern talked about how community differed from those living in town and those out on the farm. Townsfolk would primarily be involved in some sort of lodge, such as the masons, would be primarily from Yankee stock, and would hold town social events. Farmers grouped up in more similar ethnic backgrounds, had a strong community built around the church, and would visit socially from farm to farm. With the coming of the automobile this all began to change and the sense of community began transforming as well. Starting in the 1920’s rural populations began to dwindle as more people moved to town and many left in the wartime era of the 1940’s as well. There was a short boom in the 1950’s and ‘60’s, but unfortunately that was short-lived. Present day North Dakota is primarily centered along the two major highways running east to west; those being of course Highway 2 in northern ND, and I-94 across southern ND. All the major "Class A" towns can be found along those two roads.

I really enjoyed this last lecture from Isern, and think it was a good lecture to end with. I still feel there is a great sense of community to be found here on the plains. I know where I grew up almost everyone knows everyone else, and it’s impossible to go to the grocery store, gas station, or any parts store and not run into someone you know. I miss that now living in the big city of Fargo; it seems you loose some sense of community when a town gets too large. Overall though this lecture was short, but very enjoyable, much like the class as a whole.