Casselton, North Dakota

{{More citations needed section|date=July 2017}}

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 the right-of-way. They planned to harvest the trees for lumber to use as railroad ties, but the experiment failed for a number of reasons.

In 1874, Emil Priewe and his wife joined Mike Smith at the station. The Priewe's son, Harry, was born on March 28, 1875, in a sod shanty, the first child born in the developing village. Others came to settle and by 1880, the town had a population of 376, according to the official census. A school was organized in 1876 and the town was incorporated as a village in 1880.

The hamlet was variously called "the Nursery", "Goose Creek" and "Swan Creek", named for the stream that meandered through the area. In 1876, the railroad established a station called Casstown, after George Cass, the railroad president. When the post office was established on August 8, 1876, the name Casselton was designated.

File:MarshSelfBinderDTHaynes1877.jpg, 1876–1905 |publisher=Montana Historical Society Press |location=Helena, MT |year=1983 |isbn=0-917298-11-X |pages=9}}]]

During the 1870s, George Cass and Peter Cheney traded their railroad stock for {{convert|10000|acre|km2}} of land near Casselton and decided to develop the property as one large farm, rather than dividing the land into small tracts. They employed Oliver Dalrymple, of southern Minnesota, to head the operation. These Bonanza farms became highly successful and proved that the prairie was very suitable for agriculture.

Various means were used to attract immigrants from Europe and migrants from the East looking for a piece of land or the chance to become tradesmen and professionals. Casselton's population reached 1,365 in 1885.

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. In the 1920s, railroad personnel were transferred to other locations, and as a result, the population of Casselton fell 285 persons between 1920 and 1930.

Casselton installed a city water and sewer system in the mid-1920s. Water was pumped from artesian wells, and stored in a standpipe which was located on the east part of town. Today, that site is used as a winter skating rink. Looking like a gigantic culvert, the standpipe was {{convert|110|ft|m}} tall and was kept until 1956.

By 1957, the Great Northern Railway no longer had a need for the Casselton reservoir. They deeded the {{convert|73|acre|m2}} of land, which encompassed that body of water, to the City of Casselton. The reservoir was developed to be used as a municipal water supply until March 1978, when the city's water started to come from the Leonard Phase of the Cass Water Users System. The reservoir area has since been developed into a recreational center with softball diamonds, tennis courts, picnic tables and the like.

File:Business men’s baseball game near Casselton, N.D. area, 1895.jpg

The streets of Casselton were improved through municipal and state efforts. In 1927, the downtown roads were graveled. In 1930, as a US Works Progress Administration project under the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration during the Great Depression, the federal government paid local workers to pave State Highway No. 18 through the city. After World War II, the business district streets were paved with concrete. Since that time, all streets and avenues have been hard-topped, and a modern storm sewer system was installed at the same time.

The 1996–1997 school year opened with a newly completed, nearly $8 million Central Cass Public School building. It replaced a three-story building on the same site, that was dedicated in 1912 and cost $50,000. The school district covers nearly {{convert|400|sqmi|km2}}, and attracts over 800 students. Because of the continued growth, an addition to the school complex was completed in time for the 2003–2004 school year.

Casselton is known for its population of American red squirrels. Central Cass High School uses the squirrel as its mascot.{{cite web|title=Central Cass Football|url=http://www.maxpreps.com/high-schools/central-cass-squirrels-(casselton,nd)/football/home.htm|website=maxpreps.com|access-date=July 12, 2017}}

On December 30, 2013, a westbound BNSF train carrying soybeans derailed approximately one mile west of Casselton. An adjacent eastbound BNSF train carrying crude oil struck wreckage from the westbound train (accident location {{coord|46|54|4.82|N|97|13|59.42|W|type:event}}). The collision ignited the crude oil and caused a chain of large explosions, which were heard and felt several miles away.{{cite web|url=http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/422408/|title=Casselton train crash a 'huge accident' but a coincidence; Inforum; December 31, 2013.|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{cite news|url=http://in.reuters.com/article/northdakota-derailment-idINL2N0K919L20131230|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160123191751/http://in.reuters.com/article/northdakota-derailment-idINL2N0K919L20131230|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 23, 2016|title=UPDATE 3-Train collision in North Dakota sets oil rail cars ablaze|first=Alicia|last=Nelson|newspaper=Reuters|date=December 30, 2013|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{cite news|title=As oil train burns, 2,300 residents of Casselton, N.D., told to flee|url= http://www.startribune.com/business/238070771.html?page=1&c=y |date=December 30, 2013|newspaper=Star Tribune}} The resulting fireball created a massive cloud of black smoke, which prompted authorities to issue a voluntary evacuation of the city and surrounding area as a precaution. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an investigation, and in 2017 issued findings of probable cause, starting with a broken axle on the westbound train.{{cite web|url= https://www.ntsb.gov/news/press-releases/Pages/PR20170207b.aspx |title=NTSB Issues Probable Cause for Casselton, North Dakota, Crude Oil Train Accident}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/pages/casselton_nd.aspx|title=DCA14MR004|website=www.ntsb.gov|access-date=August 21, 2018}}{{YouTube|ZhraoVIJ1OE|NTSB video}}

Although no casualties were reported, as the crew of the crude oil train abandoned the lead locomotives before they were engulfed in flames as soon as they had derailed and come to stop in a snowbank,{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhraoVIJ1OE|title = BNSF Railway Train Derailment and Subsequent Train Collision|website = YouTube}} the incident occurred in proximity to a populated area and renewed safety concerns regarding the transportation of hazardous materials by rail, especially in the wake of the Lac-Mégantic derailment in Canada earlier in the year. Casselton mayor Ed McConnell, acknowledging that the town "dodged a bullet", publicly called on the federal government to review the dangers and urged lawmakers to consider pipelines as a safer option.{{cite news|url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?id=9376994|title=Train derailment: Mayor says ND town dodged bullet|date=December 31, 2013|publisher=KABC-TV Los Angeles|access-date=December 31, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140101184114/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?id=9376994|archive-date=January 1, 2014|url-status=dead}}

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of {{convert|2.192|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|2.162|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.030|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Casselton has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

{{Weather box

|location = Casselton, North Dakota, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1984–present

|single line = Yes

|Jan record high F = 56

|Feb record high F = 54

|Mar record high F = 76

|Apr record high F = 92

|May record high F = 97

|Jun record high F = 101

|Jul record high F = 107

|Aug record high F = 105

|Sep record high F = 98

|Oct record high F = 93

|Nov record high F = 76

|Dec record high F = 58

|Jan avg record high F = 40.4

|Feb avg record high F = 42.2

|Mar avg record high F = 57.1

|Apr avg record high F = 77.5

|May avg record high F = 88.1

|Jun avg record high F = 91.4

|Jul avg record high F = 92.1

|Aug avg record high F = 91.8

|Sep avg record high F = 89.0

|Oct avg record high F = 80.5

|Nov avg record high F = 59.8

|Dec avg record high F = 43.4

|year avg record high F = 94.8

|Jan high F = 16.9

|Feb high F = 21.6

|Mar high F = 35.0

|Apr high F = 52.8

|May high F = 67.6

|Jun high F = 77.0

|Jul high F = 80.8

|Aug high F = 79.9

|Sep high F = 71.4

|Oct high F = 55.6

|Nov high F = 37.8

|Dec high F = 23.2

|year high F =

|Jan mean F = 7.8

|Feb mean F = 11.8

|Mar mean F = 25.8

|Apr mean F = 41.7

|May mean F = 55.4

|Jun mean F = 66.0

|Jul mean F = 69.7

|Aug mean F = 67.8

|Sep mean F = 58.9

|Oct mean F = 44.7

|Nov mean F = 28.7

|Dec mean F = 14.9

|year mean F =

|Jan low F = -1.4

|Feb low F = 2.1

|Mar low F = 16.6

|Apr low F = 30.6

|May low F = 43.2

|Jun low F = 54.9

|Jul low F = 58.6

|Aug low F = 55.8

|Sep low F = 46.4

|Oct low F = 33.8

|Nov low F = 19.7

|Dec low F = 6.6

|year low F =

|Jan avg record low F = -23.6

|Feb avg record low F = -19.2

|Mar avg record low F = -8.0

|Apr avg record low F = 15.2

|May avg record low F = 29.0

|Jun avg record low F = 43.4

|Jul avg record low F = 47.6

|Aug avg record low F = 44.2

|Sep avg record low F = 31.8

|Oct avg record low F = 18.8

|Nov avg record low F = 0.5

|Dec avg record low F = -15.5

|year avg record low F = -25.5

|Jan record low F = -37

|Feb record low F = -39

|Mar record low F = -23

|Apr record low F = 1

|May record low F = 19

|Jun record low F = 35

|Jul record low F = 41

|Aug record low F = 36

|Sep record low F = 22

|Oct record low F = 8

|Nov record low F = -33

|Dec record low F = -34

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation inch = 0.54

|Feb precipitation inch = 0.57

|Mar precipitation inch = 1.09

|Apr precipitation inch = 1.49

|May precipitation inch = 3.16

|Jun precipitation inch = 4.43

|Jul precipitation inch = 3.69

|Aug precipitation inch = 2.62

|Sep precipitation inch = 2.79

|Oct precipitation inch = 2.33

|Nov precipitation inch = 0.80

|Dec precipitation inch = 0.69

|year precipitation inch = 24.20

|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in

|Jan precipitation days = 4.1

|Feb precipitation days = 4.8

|Mar precipitation days = 5.0

|Apr precipitation days = 6.4

|May precipitation days = 10.7

|Jun precipitation days = 11.4

|Jul precipitation days = 9.0

|Aug precipitation days = 8.0

|Sep precipitation days = 7.1

|Oct precipitation days = 7.4

|Nov precipitation days = 4.9

|Dec precipitation days = 5.3

|Jan snow inch = 7.4

|Feb snow inch = 6.6

|Mar snow inch = 6.2

|Apr snow inch = 3.3

|May snow inch = 0.0

|Jun snow inch = 0.0

|Jul snow inch = 0.0

|Aug snow inch = 0.0

|Sep snow inch = 0.0

|Oct snow inch = 0.7

|Nov snow inch = 4.4

|Dec snow inch = 8.1

|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in

|Jan snow days = 3.6

|Feb snow days = 3.5

|Mar snow days = 2.7

|Apr snow days = 1.0

|May snow days = 0.0

|Jun snow days = 0.0

|Jul snow days = 0.0

|Aug snow days = 0.0

|Sep snow days = 0.0

|Oct snow days = 0.3

|Nov snow days = 1.9

|Dec snow days = 3.9

|Jan snow depth inch =

|Feb snow depth inch =

|Mar snow depth inch =

|Apr snow depth inch =

|May snow depth inch =

|Jun snow depth inch =

|Jul snow depth inch =

|Aug snow depth inch =

|Sep snow depth inch =

|Oct snow depth inch =

|Nov snow depth inch =

|Dec snow depth inch =

|year snow depth inch =

|source 1 = NOAA

{{cite web

|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00321408&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL

|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

|title = U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Casselton Agronomy Farm, ND

|access-date = October 14, 2023

}}

|source 2 = National Weather Service

{{cite web

|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=fgf

|publisher = National Weather Service

|title = NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Grand Forks

|access-date = October 14, 2023

}}

}}

{{US Census population

|1880= 360

|1890= 840

|1900= 1207

|1910= 1553

|1920= 1538

|1930= 1253

|1940= 1358

|1950= 1373

|1960= 1394

|1970= 1485

|1980= 1661

|1990= 1601

|2000= 1855

|2010= 2329

|2020= 2479

|estyear=2023

|estimate=2472

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |date=June 23, 2024|title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020–2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 23, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}
2020 Census

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 2,479 people, 941 households, and 661 families residing in the city.{{Cite web|title=US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type |url=https://data.census.gov/table?q=Casselton%20city,%20North%20Dakota%20p16&y=2020 |access-date=June 23, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} There were 1,011 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 92.8% White, 0.8% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from some other races and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.{{Cite web|title=How many people live in Casselton city, North Dakota |url=https://data.usatoday.com/census/total-population/total-population-change/casselton-city-north-dakota/160-3812700/ |access-date=June 23, 2024 |publisher=USA Today}}

As of the 2010 census, there were 2,329 people, 874 households, and 633 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1245.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 926 housing units at an average density of {{convert|495.2|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.9% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 874 households, of which 42.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17.

The median age in the city was 34.6 years. 31.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female.

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,855 people, 702 households, and 509 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,315.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 738 housing units at an average density of {{convert|523.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.22% White, 0.16% African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.11% from other races, and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population.

There were 702 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $43,259, and the median income for a family was $49,567. Males had a median income of $32,063 versus $22,614 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,248. About 2.6% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Casselton was home to the world's largest oil can pile/free standing structure. This tourist attraction was created in 1933 by Max Taubert when a Sinclair gas station occupied the lot that included a hamburger stand. It is approximately {{convert|45|ft|m}} tall, and is made of thousands of oil cans. It was rescued from possible demolition in 2008 by a group of local volunteers.{{cite web|url=http://www.casseltoncanpile.com|title=Casselton Can Pile that is now World Famous|website=www.casseltoncanpile.com|access-date=August 21, 2018}}

• I-94, US 52, ND 10, ND 18

• Andrew H. Burke, 2nd governor of North Dakota (1891–1893)
• Jack Dalrymple, 32nd governor of North Dakota, (2010–2016)
• Dwayne A. King, businessman and Minnesota state legislator
• John H. Lang, highly decorated member of both the Canadian army and United States navy.
• William Langer, 17th and 21st governor of North Dakota (1933–1934; 1937–1939), senator (1941–1959)
• George A. Sinner, 29th governor of North Dakota (1985–1992)
• Herman Stern, clothier, businessman, humanitarian, social and economic activist
• Mark Weber, member of the North Dakota Senate

• Casselton Commercial Historic District
• St. Stephen's Episcopal Church

{{Reflist}}

• [https://www.casselton.com/ City of Casselton – Official Website]
• [http://www.digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/ndsl-books&CISOPTR=5888&REC=4 Casselton, North Dakota : community fact survey (1967)] from the [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/ Digital Horizons website]
• [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/ndsl-books/id/41805 Souvenir book: Casselton diamond jubilee: June 16–17, 1954, Casselton, North Dakota] from the [http://digitalhorizonsonline.org/ Digital Horizons website]

{{Cass County, North Dakota}}

{{North Dakota}}

{{Fargo-Moorhead}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Cities in Cass County, North Dakota

Category:Cities in North Dakota

Category:Populated places established in 1876

Category:1876 establishments in Dakota Territory