Before there were big box chain stores everywhere, and before technology started keeping everyone inside more often and outside in the world less often, there was a more community-driven aspect to all the towns. Specialty stores and businesses, for instance, are unfortunately becoming a thing of the past. Now, many seem to demand convenience over quality in many parts of their lives. Looking back at life in the 1930s in North Dakota will make you realize just how much some things have changed.

The 1930s and '40s were a simpler time for small towns in our state. These historic photos of North Dakota from that time help portray what has changed, and how it used to be. So sit back and take a trip to the past, and maybe we can all reflect a bit on how things have changed.

1. "Drugstore, Ray, North Dakota"

Drug stores were not just a place to get some cold medicine, they were also the cool spot that had soda fountains! This drugstore in particular is even sporting a large "SODA" on the sidewalk to advertise their refreshing drinks.

2. "Grain elevator and flour mill, Fargo, North Dakota"

This one is still very common today - every small town usually has a grain elevator or two.

3 "Sign board, Crosby, North Dakota"

Theater still does remain a popular form of entertainment - here is a neat board of some movie posters. It was probably a lot cheaper to go to the movies then, I doubt it cost as much for concessions as theaters seem to charge these days!

4. "Farm family window shopping, Williston, North Dakota"

Of course, there was a new wave of department stores that came with this time, such as Montgomery Ward's and others.

5. "Farmer bringing food out of co-op cold storage lockers."

This was more popular back in the day - community cold storage lockers for meats and preserved fruits and veggies, available for use for all local farmers and residents, if they did not have a way to store it themselves.

6. "Signs at entrance to office building, Fargo, North Dakota"

Many smaller specialty businesses were way more popular back then, local family-owned and proudly run.

7. "Mrs. Bettenhausen with canned goods in cellar. McIntosh County, North Dakota"

Back then a lot more people were self-sufficient, growing their own produce and canning foods for preservation to be used at a later time. Here, a woman shows her cellar full of goods.

8. "Entrance to beauty parlor and barber shop, Williston, North Dakota"

Of course! This is one of the things people think of the most in small towns from the past - the classic barbershop pole and the ladies' beauty parlor. These in particular were conjoined.

9. "Football players. Minot, North Dakota"

This is not much different today- we love all of our school's athletics programs and teams, especially in small towns. These high school football players are seen walking through town in uniform. Neat!

10. "Grand Forks, North Dakota"

A busy street in Grand Forks showing off some specialty stores, such as the hat store and a shoe repair store. It's hard to find places like that today, with owners and employees who know their trade and are proud of the products they offer.

The times are always changing and there is not much we can do about that, but sometimes it doesn't hurt to wish they were a little more like life in the 1930s in North Dakota. Here are more vintage photographs of North Dakota to reminisce upon. Old photos like these really offer a sense of pride in our North Dakota roots, don't they?