There is no other town in the world quite like this little North Dakota town. It’s itty bitty with only 72 residents, but it has made a name for itself through the efforts of those residents to make their town special. The town is called Jud, but it also goes by a different name: The City of Murals. You’re about to see why:
At a first glance, Jud seems like a pretty average small town.
Andrew Filer/Flickr Jud was founded in 1904 and named after a man whose name is also shared by the town of LaMoure (and LaMoure county). His name was Judson LaMoure, and he was one of North Dakota’s first legislators. But this isn’t why the present day town of Jud is special.
Jud is known as “The City of Murals,” and has a mural on just about every building in the entire town.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Houses, stores, garages, even the local bar are all painted beautifully with different scenes.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
Even this old building has cute chickens painted on the windows to give it a little bit of character.
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr This town sought to be different and to make the boring old walls on the buildings something special, and they certainly succeeded. There’s something to look at in every direction and all of the delightful colors and depictions are very eye catching.
Jud has another special attribute: one of the oldest standing stores in the entire state.
Andrew Filer/Flickr Dagen’s Grocery was built in 1905, within a year of the town’s founding. It was originally both a small hotel and store known as Ole B. Johnson and Sons Hotel and Store. Throughout its history it has also served as a post office and department store. Today, it is listed as a National Historic Place and is still standing strong. It is over 110 years old!
Thanks to its unusual yet lovely works of art and its history, Jud certainly stands out as one of the most unique towns.
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
Jud, North Dakota is located in the south central region of the state, about 35 miles southwest of Jamestown. You can take a drive there yourself to see the murals all throughout the town.
Andrew Filer/Flickr
Jud was founded in 1904 and named after a man whose name is also shared by the town of LaMoure (and LaMoure county). His name was Judson LaMoure, and he was one of North Dakota’s first legislators. But this isn’t why the present day town of Jud is special.
Jimmy Emerson/Flickr
This town sought to be different and to make the boring old walls on the buildings something special, and they certainly succeeded. There’s something to look at in every direction and all of the delightful colors and depictions are very eye catching.
Dagen’s Grocery was built in 1905, within a year of the town’s founding. It was originally both a small hotel and store known as Ole B. Johnson and Sons Hotel and Store. Throughout its history it has also served as a post office and department store. Today, it is listed as a National Historic Place and is still standing strong. It is over 110 years old!
There are many other fascinating small towns to be found in North Dakota, read about more here.
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