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. 

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