By james art 
With a history as rich and varied as the state of Minnesota, the state has acquired several cities with unique names over the years. However, the meaning behind some of the names of these communities is much different than what you might expect.
Dives worth the drive in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota
Almost every small town in South Dakota has a watering hole. This is where the locals go to have a few beers and engage in conversation.
What makes a dive, a dive?
Diving has character. Beer neon signs and local memorabilia adorn the walls.
You may find a pool table, dart board and several video lottery machines.
The bartender knows the regulars by name and they know what you’re drinking.
Some dives don’t even serve food other than bags of chips and pickled eggs sitting in a jar of brine on the bar.
The dives are not fancy. You might see 70s-style wood paneling on the walls and wobbly tables lined with folded napkins.
And finally, the bathrooms. Dive bathrooms are in a class by themselves and can be a whole separate topic.
There are several small town dives in our area with friendly faces, cheap booze with burn and even really good food! We use the term “diving” in the most gentle way.
Here are some of the best and why you should go there.
Gallery Credit: Carla Brown