Established in 1872 when the Northern Pacific crossed the Red River from
Moorhead, Fargo quickly became an important town. The combination of the
railroad and the wheat boom created a flourishing frontier city in the
1870s. The railroads brought goods into Fargo for sale, and established
it as the area's major retail, wholesale, and service center. From 1880
to 1940 Fargo grew consistently with substantial immigration. Many of
the early city leaders were Yankees from states such as Maine,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois, as well as Canadians. European
immigration before 1900 was predominantly from Scandinavia and Germany,
but after 1900 it broadened to include other countries. These immigrants
brought strong traditions with them that became evident in the religious
and cultural life of the city.