Population somewhere around 300 souls.

Origins:

In 1871, a party of Seventh Day Baptists from Wisconsin explored Valley County for settlement sites. In May 1872, they established a community near what is now North Loup. A post office and general store were established in 1873. In 1877, the town of North Loup was formally organized. The name was taken from the North Loup River, in whose valley the village lies.

The village grew rapidly from about 1900 to 1920. By 1915, there were over 600 residents. Growth continued, albeit very slowly, in the 1920s; the maximum population of 643 was reached in 1930. After World War II, the population declined;

I love the way they link WWII, in case you're interested in exploring that obscure subject.

Small, but with remnants of pride. That little piece of ornament above the door is adorable.

I suppose that's one way of making a store room, but it does seem a bit disrespectful.

You know it was a standard small-town two story commercial block.

You can even see the slender old columns, preserved, so they can mock the renovation, or be mocked by it.

“I’m thinking the rehab should be . . . Wilford Brimley with an eyepatch.”

I don’t and can’t even

The Cornice Preservation League was strong in this town, but they couldn’t get the First Story Preservation League to do a thing. They just met for coffee and donuts and didn’t fight a single battle.

Seems doomed. It was.

Another view:

“I want the water to roll off and think it’s got a clear shot to the ground, and then bang, it hits the surprise roof.”

How to use the symbolism inherent in the pitched roof to indicate where the office is:

The pumps still have hoses in the 2018 shot, so perhaps they still can sell you a gallon or two.

This old shot from Virtual Nebraska tells us it’s been here since the 30s.

Today.

Some big-city aspirations:

MWA = Modern Woodman of America. A fraternal org, and still around - as a financial advisory firm.

“Sorry, no loan. You look more like a South Loup Plains sort of fellow.”

OUMB in its cheapest form.

Another big office block - relatively speaking, for a town of 300.

BABCOCK

Looks to me like it’s Clarence Babcock. An influential family in the region. Lots of Babcocks in the boneyard.

Not much rental income from the top floor, I’m guessing.

And that’s the small town of North Loup.