Founded in 1887, Forest River was similar to many other pioneer towns that were dotting the plains of North Dakota during the end of the 19th century. This was a time when the railroad was king and small towns were desperately hoping a track would be built through their town. However, it wasn’t just the railroad these young towns depended on. In the early 1900s, commercial institutions were vital to the economic livelihood of many small towns in North Dakota. The Forest River State Bank was just that.

One of the earliest bankers was Mr. Ballock, followed by Fred Whitney. Like many prairie towns, Forest River had been swept by fire several times, resulting in a town ordinance forbidding the construction of wood-frame buildings on Main Street. So, in 1919, after the original bank building was destroyed by a fire that reshaped the business district, a new bank was built.

Designed by Joseph Rosatti, Forest River State Bank is an excellent example of Prairie Style architecture. Its rectangular shape and strong symmetrical lines mixed with intricate terracotta details exemplifies early 20th century small town bank architecture in North Dakota and across the upper Midwest. Forest River State Bank closed in 2003, after serving as a banking institution for over 84 years and is currently home to a law office. The building is the last remaining historic structure of Forest River’s once bustling main street and a testament to the thriving community of yesteryear.