Fargo history

The city of Fargo was founded in 1871 in a strategically important location — the intersection point of the future Northern Pacific Railway and the Red River. Initially, the settlement bore the name "Centralia", but it was soon renamed in honour of William Fargo, one of the directors of the railway company and co-founder of the famous financial company Wells Fargo, to emphasise the key role of the railway in its formation.

Fargo's development was inextricably linked to its geographical position. Becoming a major railway hub, the city received the unofficial title "Gateway to the West". It served as a transit point for settlers and cargo heading to develop the fertile lands of the Red River Valley. In the 1870s and 1880s, the steamboat landing also played an important role. This combination of rail and river transport ensured the city's rapid economic growth.

In its early years, Fargo had the reputation of a typical frontier town. However, it quickly transformed into a regional centre for agriculture and trade. An interesting feature of its early history was its fame as the "divorce capital" in the 1880s due to very liberal marriage dissolution laws for that time. Despite the devastating fire of 1893, which destroyed most of the wooden structures, Fargo was promptly rebuilt in brick, testifying to its economic vitality. The founding of the North Dakota Agricultural College in 1890 (now North Dakota State University) laid the foundation for transforming the city into an important educational and cultural centre of the region.

Key Dates in the History of Fargo

1871 — A settlement is founded at the intersection of the Northern Pacific Railway under construction and the Red River. Initially named Centralia, it was soon renamed Fargo in honour of William Fargo, a director of the railway company.

1880s — The city receives the unofficial status of "divorce capital" thanks to one of the most liberal divorce laws in the country.

1890 — The North Dakota Agricultural College is founded, which would later become North Dakota State University (NDSU), laying the foundation for the city's educational status.

1893 — A major fire destroys more than 300 buildings in the city centre, leading to large-scale reconstruction using brick instead of wood and the modernisation of urban infrastructure.

1930 — Construction is completed on the Black Building, an elegant Art Deco skyscraper that became the tallest building in the state for several decades.

1957 — A devastating F5 category tornado strikes the northern part of Fargo, claiming 10 lives and causing colossal damage, which became an important lesson in the history of the city's civil defence.

1960 — The Agricultural College officially receives university status and its modern name — North Dakota State University.

1996 — The Coen brothers' cult film "Fargo" is released, bringing the city worldwide fame and cementing its image in pop culture.

2009 — The city faces record flooding on the Red River, but thanks to unprecedented efforts by residents and volunteers to build dikes, catastrophe is avoided.

2017 — The new Sanford Medical Center opens, one of the largest in the region, strengthening Fargo's status as a leading healthcare hub in the Upper Midwest.

Stages of the City's Transformation

The history of Fargo is a clear example of how a city that emerged thanks to the railway was able to adapt to the challenges of time and turn into a thriving regional centre. The main milestones of its development reflect the transition from a transport hub to a diversified economy based on education, technology, and medicine.

• Railway Boom and "Gateway to the West" (1870s). The founding of the city at the intersection of the Northern Pacific Railway and the Red River determined its destiny. Fargo became a key logistics hub for settlers and goods, which stimulated its rapid initial growth.
• Recovery from the Great Fire (1893). A devastating fire destroyed most of the wooden city centre. The subsequent large-scale reconstruction using brick not only changed the look of Fargo but also led to the modernisation of urban infrastructure, including the construction of a new water supply system.
• Formation of an Educational Centre (from 1890). The founding of the Agricultural College, which eventually grew into North Dakota State University (NDSU), laid the foundation for turning Fargo into a centre of science and innovation. Today, the university is one of the largest employers and an engine of economic development.
• Post-War Suburbanisation and Retail Development (1960-1970s). Like many American cities, Fargo experienced a period of active suburban growth. The opening of the large West Acres Mall in 1972 marked a shift in commercial activity from the city centre and became a symbol of a new, consumer-oriented economy.
• Cultural Phenomenon of the Film "Fargo" (1996). The release of the cult film by the Coen brothers brought the city worldwide fame. Although the plot of the film is not directly related to the realities of the city, it created a recognisable brand and attracted the attention of tourists and pop culture to Fargo.
• Technological Growth (from the late 1990s). The arrival of major technology companies in the city, in particular the opening of the Microsoft campus, became a catalyst for the development of the IT sector. This attracted qualified specialists to Fargo and contributed to the diversification of the economy, reducing its dependence on agriculture.
• Transformation into a Medical Hub (2010s). The construction and opening in 2017 of the new Sanford Medical Center, costing nearly half a billion dollars, strengthened Fargo's status as a leading healthcare centre in the vast Upper Midwest region. This attracted investment and high-class medical professionals to the city.

Fargo's Architectural Appearance: From Frontier to Modernity

Fargo's architecture reflects its history as a dynamically developing city in the American Midwest. From utilitarian structures of the railway era to modern medical and educational complexes, the urban landscape tells a story of economic growth, overcoming disasters, and cultural changes.

Main Architectural Stages

• Late Victorian Era and Commercial Style (late 19th – early 20th centuries): After the devastating fire of 1893, downtown Fargo was rebuilt. Sturdy brick buildings replaced wooden structures. During this period, Late Victorian styles, particularly Romanesque Revival, and utilitarian commercial style dominated downtown architecture. The historic district in the city centre still preserves many examples of this era, shaping its character.
• Art Deco Era (1920-1930s): Like many US cities, Fargo experienced a construction boom in the "Roaring Twenties". The most iconic building of this period is the Black Building (1930) — an eight-story skyscraper designed in the elegant Art Deco (or Art Moderne) style. Clad in limestone, it became the tallest building in North Dakota for decades and a symbol of the city's commercial prosperity. Another striking example is the historic Fargo Theatre, whose façade and interiors are Art Deco classics.
• Modernism and Post-War Development (1950-1980s): In the post-war decades, architecture shifted towards functionalism and modernism. This period was marked by the expansion of the North Dakota State University (NDSU) campus, where many buildings in the modernist style appeared. Also at this time, suburbs actively developed, and simpler, functional forms began to prevail in commercial architecture, an example of which is the West Acres Mall.
• Contemporary Stage (late 20th – early 21st centuries): In recent decades, Fargo has seen both the careful restoration of historic buildings in the centre and the construction of new large-scale facilities. A striking example of modern architecture is the massive Sanford Medical Center complex (2017), which symbolises Fargo's new status as a regional centre of healthcare and technology with its futuristic look.

Today, Fargo's architectural appearance represents a harmonious blend of historical heritage, particularly noticeable in the brick buildings of downtown, and modern architecture, reflecting its role as a growing economic and cultural centre of the Upper Midwest.

Notable Personalities Connected to Fargo

The city of Fargo, despite its relative remoteness, has become the birthplace or an important stage in life for a number of talented people who have left a noticeable mark in sports, music, cinema, and literature.

• Roger Maris (1934–1985)

  Role/Profession: Professional baseball player.

  Historical Significance: A legendary New York Yankees player who grew up and graduated from school in Fargo. In 1961, he set a historic record by hitting 61 home runs in a single season, surpassing Babe Ruth's achievement. This event made him one of the most famous athletes of his time. There is a museum in Fargo dedicated to his life and career.

• Bobby Vee (1943–2016)

  Role/Profession: Singer, pop idol.

  Historical Significance: Born in Fargo as Robert Velline, Bobby Vee became one of the main teen idols in the early 1960s. His career began at age 15 when he and his band filled in for the tragically deceased Buddy Holly at a concert in neighbouring Moorhead. His hits, such as "Take Good Care of My Baby" and "The Night Has a Thousand Eyes", entered the golden fund of American pop music.

• Jonny Lang (born 1981)

  Role/Profession: Blues and gospel musician, guitarist, Grammy winner.

  Historical Significance: Jonny Lang (real name — Jon Gordon Langseth) was born in Fargo and began his musical career at a very young age. By age 13, he became the frontman of a local blues band, and at 15, he signed a contract with a major label. His virtuoso guitar playing and powerful "adult" vocals brought him worldwide fame and comparisons to blues veterans.

• William H. Gass (1924–2017)

  Role/Profession: Writer, philosopher, literary critic.

  Historical Significance: Born in Fargo, Gass is considered one of the outstanding American postmodernist writers and essayists. He was known for his complex, stylistically rich language and innovative approach to the novel form. His works, including the novel "The Tunnel", had a significant influence on contemporary American literature.

• Richard Edlund (born 1940)

  Role/Profession: Visual effects master.

  Historical Significance: A Fargo native, Richard Edlund is a legend in the world of film special effects. He is a multiple Oscar winner for his work on cult films such as the original Star Wars trilogy ("A New Hope", "The Empire Strikes Back", "Return of the Jedi") and "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark".

• CariDee English (born 1984)

  Role/Profession: Fashion model, TV presenter.

  Historical Significance: Born in Fargo, she became known nationwide after winning the 7th season of the popular reality show "America's Next Top Model". Her success in the fashion world and on television has made her one of the modern celebrities associated with the city.