Casselton is home of 4 Governors, William L. Guy; 26th Governor of North Dakota (1961-1973), George A. Sinner; 29th Governor of North Dakota (1985-1992), William Langer; 17th and 21st Governor of North Dakota (1933-1934, 1937-1939) , and Andrew H. Burke; 2nd Governor of North Dakota (1891-1893).
Casselton History
Casselton had its origin in 1873 when the Northern Pacific Railway sent Mike Smith
to plant cottonwood and willow trees in the area to serve as windbreaks along their
right-of-way.
In 1876, the railroad established a station called Casstown, after George Cass,
the railroad president. A post office was put in place in August 8, 1876 when the
name Casselton was designated.
During the 1870s, George Cass and Peter Cheney traded their railroad stock for 10,000
acres of land near Casselton and decided to develop this acquisition as one large
farm, rather than dividing the land into small tracts. They employed Oliver Dalrymple,
of southern Minnesota, to head the operation. The venture became highly successful
and proved that the prairie was very suitable for agriculture.
The Great Northern Railway had an additional influence in the growth of Casselton.
Several branches radiated from the city. The railroad excavated a reservoir to supply
water for its steam engines. In 1906 the railway constructed a round house and service
center which operated until 1920.
The most recent census figures place Casselton's population at over 1800. Because
of its location in relation to the Fargo-Moorhead area, many residents prefer the
"small town" environment while being employed elsewhere.
