History of Fargo, North Dakota in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 24, 2026

Fargo, North Dakota, is the state's most populous city, with a population of 125,990 in 2020 and an estimated 136,285 in 2024. Together with its twin city, Moorhead, Minnesota, it forms the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, which had a population of 248,591 in 2020. Fargo serves as the county seat of Cass County.

1900: Fargo Public Library Established

The Fargo Public Library was established in 1900.

1905: Pence Automobile Company Established

In 1905, Fargo became home to the Pence Automobile Company, which at one time distributed 29% of all Buicks.

1910: Theodore Roosevelt Visits Fargo

On Labor Day in 1910, Theodore Roosevelt visited Fargo to lay the cornerstone of the college's new library, addressing a crowd of 30,000.

1915: NDAC First Accredited

In 1915, the North Dakota Agricultural College was first accredited by the North Central Association.

1917: Ford Assembly Plant Operation

By 1917, the regional Ford assembly plant in Fargo was assembling some 70 cars per day.

1926: Fargo Theatre Opening

The Fargo Theatre, an Art Deco movie house, was restored in 1926.

1928: Red River Zoo Carousel

The Red River Zoo features a restored 1928 carousel.

1928: Winter Carnival Tradition

The Winter Carnival in Fargo is a tradition that began in 1928.

January 22, 1936: Record Coldest Daily Maximum

On January 22, 1936, the record coldest daily maximum temperature was −29 °F (−34 °C) in Fargo.

July 6, 1936: Record High Temperature

On July 6, 1936, Fargo recorded its all-time record high temperature of 114 °F (46 °C).

1956: Ford Assembly Plant Closure

The regional Ford assembly plant in Fargo remained in operation until 1956.

1957: 1957 Fargo Tornado

In 1957, Fargo experienced a tornado that destroyed a large part of the north end of the city.

1960: NDAC Becomes NDSU

In 1960, the North Dakota Agricultural College (NDAC) became known as North Dakota State University.

1968: Library Moved to New Facility

In 1968, the Fargo Public Library moved into a new facility as part of urban renewal efforts in the downtown area.

1969: John E. Carlson Coliseum Opened

John E. Carlson Coliseum, opened in 1969, is the home of the North Dakota State University ice hockey club team.

1972: West Acres Shopping Center Constructed

In 1972, the West Acres Shopping Center, the largest shopping mall in North Dakota, was constructed near the intersection of Interstates I-29 and I-94.

1996: Record Snowfalls

Record snowfalls late in 1996 led to flooding in 1997.

1997: Red River Crest Record

In 1997, record snowfalls the previous year caused the Red River to rise to a record crest of 39.5 feet, nearly overtaking city defenses.

2000: 2000 Census Data

According to the 2000 census, there were 90,599 people residing in Fargo.

2000: Median Household Income in 2000

As of the year 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $35,510.

2002: Southpointe Branch Opened

In 2002, the Southpointe Branches were opened serving the city's south side.

2006: Northport Branch Opened

In 2006, the Northport Branches were opened serving the city's north side.

November 16, 2007: Dr. James Carlson Library Opening

On November 16, 2007, the Dr. James Carlson Library opened to the public, replacing the earlier Southpointe Branch.

2007: Scheels Arena Groundbreaking

In 2007, Fargo held a groundbreaking for the $25 million Scheels Arena, main tenant is the Fargo Force of the United States Hockey League.

2008: Significant Fall Precipitation

In 2008, there was significant fall precipitation in Fargo.

March 2009: Red River Record Level in 2009

In March 2009, significant fall precipitation coupled with rapid snowmelt caused the Red River to rise to a new record level of 40.84 feet.

April 25, 2009: New Downtown Main Library Opened

A new downtown Main Library opened April 25, 2009 in Fargo.

2009: 2009 Red River Flood

Since the potentially devastating 2009 Red River flood, both Fargo and Moorhead have taken great strides in flood protection.

2010: 2010 Census Data

According to the 2010 census, there were 105,549 people living in Fargo.

2010: Red River Rise

In 2010, another rapid melt caused the Red River to rise to 37 feet, ranking among the top-ten highest levels ever recorded, but caused no issues for the city due to flood mitigation efforts.

2012: House Buyouts in Flood-Prone Areas

As of 2012, Fargo has bought 700 houses in flood-prone areas.

2014: Library Checkouts in 2014

In 2014, over 1 million items were checked out from Fargo Public Library.

2017: Attempt to Recall City Commissioner

In 2017, there was an attempt to recall City Commissioner Dave Piepkorn.

2018: Approval Voting for Elections

Fargo became the first city in the U.S. to use approval voting for elections in 2018.

2020: 2020 Census Data

According to the 2020 census, there were 125,990 people residing in Fargo.

2020: Population in 2020

In 2020, the census recorded Fargo's population as 125,990. The Fargo–Moorhead metropolitan area had a population of 248,591 in 2020.

2021: Children's Museum Closure

The Children's Museum at Yunker Farm closed in 2021 after being open for 30 years.

2022: American Community Survey Data

According to the 2022 American Community Survey, Fargo has an estimated 56,890 households, a median household income of $64,432, and a 74.5% employment rate.