Local news- Press Release
Cass County North Dakota - The Beginning of Buffalo 01 March 2024 ( news )
Cass County , state North Dakota ( By Press Release office)
Mar 01,2024
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The Northern Pacific Railroad entered Dakota Territory in the spring and summer of 1872 . Before winter set in , iron rails were completed all the way to Steele , ND - this town was formerly called "Seventeen Siding . " Buffalo was originally known as "Third Siding . " The town was then known as a settlement called Buff , according to an early railroad map , then the name was changed to New Buffalo . According to some , the town was named by Gertrude Talcott of Buffalo , New York . According to other reports , the name was suggested by Mary Strong Willson , also of Buffalo , New York . But railroad authorities say that it was named for the birthplace of Samuel Wilkeson , the first corporate secretary of the Northern Pacific , whose home was also in Buffalo , New York .
H . B . Strand was the first known settler to locate on the ground now occupied by the business portion of Buffalo . He took up a claim a half mile northwest of the present town site . Here he kept the Post Office until the spring of 1879 . He erected a small store on the corner where Clendening & Co . , later were located .
The elderly Mr . Strong owned the land whereon the business section of the town is now located . At his death the property was inherited by his widow and two daughters . It was due to the generosity of his daughter , Mary S . Strong Willson , that the town was situated in the present site . She donated land to the churches and school , that a town might be started .
The first dwelling house constructed in Buffalo was the section house . The R . Stiles Hotel was built in 1879 . Mr . Strand owned the store building on Front Street that later became the T . A . Quirk Store and still later the H . E . Brown Store .
The Village of Buffalo was incorporated March 3 , 1883 . The population of Buffalo grew to its highest in 1920 with 268 residents . Today , Buffalo is a community of around 200 people that enjoys being close enough to Fargo , Casselton , or Valley City to commute for business and pleasure , yet far enough away to enjoy the unique small - town life .
Images and content provided by the North Dakota State University Archives Library and Digital Horizons .
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