2/28/2014:
In August of 1879, Tower City was founded as a Northern Pacific Railroad station in Tower Township, Cass County. The post office had been established on May 5 of that year, and the village was incorporated in 1881.
On this date in 1929, as Tower City approached its fiftieth anniversary, the Tower City newspaper attempted to get preparations underway. It proudly proclaimed, "Is Tower City proud of its past record, started fifty years ago? Do our present citizens appreciate what the pioneers of yesteryear accomplished? All you had to do was walk down the business streets after the last issue...came out regarding a golden jubilee here this summer and find that the sentiment is almost unanimous to put on a celebration that will show our thoughts of the deeds of the past."
The article inspired one old resident of the area, a Mr. M. S. Mayo, to respond. He included a short history of the town and of his own, and others’, settlement of the area.
Mayo and some of his early compatriots came to Fargo in 1869 by his reckoning – thirty years before North Dakota became a state. He wrote, "at this time, there was not the slightest resemblance of a town or a piece of timber."
He said that the first "homecoming" was not celebrated until July 4, 1879, ten years after he and others had settled upon and broke up the prairie that formed that town. Only fifteen to twenty people were present then.
And of course, he mentioned the winter of 79-80...one that by all accounts was not easily forgotten. Mayo wrote, "A portion of our fuel was taken from the Railroad Company by throwing off coal when they stopped at the town site. No objection was made by the train men as the railroad, at that time, did all they could to help out the early settlers."
Despite the hardships he experienced, Mayo had stuck around, and his letter delighted the Tower City newspapermen, who encouraged action to be taken, saying "NOW is the time to act – Mr. May's letter is an incentive, and it's up to us."
With that incentive, Tower City began to plan and for its big golden jubilee, to be held over the summer months.
Dakota Datebook written by Sarah Walker
Sources:
http://www.webfamilytree.com/North_Dakota_Place_Names/T/tower_city_%28cass_county%29.htm
Tower City Topics, February 28, March 7, 1929