54-677: Casselton is a city in Cass County , North Dakota , United States. The population was 2,479 at the 2020 census . making it the 20th largest city in North Dakota. Casselton was founded in 1876. The city is named in honor of George Washington Cass , a president of the Northern Pacific Railway , which established a station there in 1876 to develop a town for homesteaders . Casselton is the hometown of five North Dakota governors . Casselton had its origin in 1873 when
108-400: A broken axle on the westbound train. Although no casualties were reported, as the crew of the crude oil train abandoned the lead locomotives before they were engulfed in flames as soon as they had derailed and come to stop in a snowbank, the incident occurred in proximity to a populated area and renewed safety concerns regarding the transportation of hazardous materials by rail, especially in
162-502: A central cache and provide energy and nutrients for survival over the winter and reproduction the following spring. The fallen scales from consumed seed cones can collect in piles, called middens, up to twelve meters across. White spruce exhibits two- to six-year masting cycles, where a year of superabundant cone production (mast year) is followed by several years in which few cones are produced. American red squirrel territories may contain one or several middens. American red squirrels eat
216-407: A family was $ 68,858. Males had a median income of $ 42,557 versus $ 31,916 for females. The per capita income for the county was $ 28,184. About 5.8% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line , including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. Cass County is governed by a board of commissioners elected to four-year terms. Other elected officials include
270-502: A high school diploma. The median age in the county was 32.6 years. Cass County, North Dakota – racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. As of the 2020 census , there were 184,525 people, 78,672 households, and 42,849 families residing in
324-454: A household in the city was $ 43,259, and the median income for a family was $ 49,567. Males had a median income of $ 32,063 versus $ 22,614 for females. The per capita income for the city was $ 18,248. About 2.6% of families and 5.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.4% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over. Casselton was home to the world's largest oil can pile/free standing structure. This tourist attraction
378-570: A midden from their mother typically settle within 150 m (3 territory diameters) of their natal territory. Observations suggest that male red squirrels have environmentally induced, alternative reproductive strategies that result in higher incidences of sexually selected infanticide in years when food is plentiful. American red squirrels experience severe early mortality (on average only 22% survive to one year of age). The survival probability, however, increases to age three, when it begins to decrease again. Females that survive to one year of age have
432-419: A modern storm sewer system was installed at the same time. The 1996–1997 school year opened with a newly completed, nearly $ 8 million Central Cass Public School building. It replaced a three-story building on the same site, that was dedicated in 1912 and cost $ 50,000. The school district covers nearly 400 square miles (1,000 km), and attracts over 800 students. Because of the continued growth, an addition to
486-629: A population of red squirrels in southwest Yukon reported female red squirrels showed high levels of multiple-male mating and would even mate with males with similar genetic relatedness. The relatedness of parents had no effect on the neonatal mass and growth rate of their offspring, nor did it affect the survival rate of offspring to one year of age. Red squirrels are highly territorial and asocial with very few non-reproductive physical interactions (0.6% of all recorded behaviours in one 19-year study). The majority of physical interactions are in male-female matings and between females and their offspring before
540-457: A station called Casstown, after George Cass, the railroad president. When the post office was established on August 8, 1876, the name Casselton was designated. During the 1870s, George Cass and Peter Cheney traded their railroad stock for 10,000 acres (40 km) of land near Casselton and decided to develop the property as one large farm, rather than dividing the land into small tracts. They employed Oliver Dalrymple, of southern Minnesota, to head
594-447: A territory from their mothers. This somewhat rare (15% of litters) female behavior is referred to as breeding dispersal or bequeathal, and is a form of maternal investment in offspring. The prevalence of this behavior is related to the abundance of food resources and the age of the mother. In some cases, females will acquire additional middens prior to reproduction, which they later bequeath to their offspring. Offspring that do not receive
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#1732791769458648-420: A variety of mushroom species, including some that are deadly to humans. American red squirrels are spontaneous ovulators . Females enter estrus for only one day, but venture from their territory prior to ovulation, and these exploratory forays may serve to advertise their upcoming estrus. On the day of estrus, females are chased by several males in an extended mating chase. Males compete with one another for
702-755: A white venter (underbelly). Red squirrels are somewhat larger than chipmunks. The Douglas squirrel is morphologically similar to the American red squirrels, but has a rust-colored venter and is restricted to the southwestern coast of British Columbia and in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. The ranges of the American red squirrel and the Douglas squirrel overlap in southern British Columbia, northwestern Washington and eastern Oregon. American red squirrels are widely distributed across
756-535: Is a small, 200–250 g (7.1–8.8 oz), diurnal mammal that defends a year-round exclusive territory. It feeds primarily on the seeds of conifer cones, and is widely distributed across much of the United States and Canada wherever conifers are common, except in the southwestern United States, where it is replaced by the formerly conspecific southwestern red squirrel , and along the Pacific coast of
810-539: Is land and 0.030 square miles (0.08 km) is water. This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Casselton has a humid continental climate , abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. As of the 2020 census , there were 2,479 people, 941 households, and 661 families residing in
864-472: Is one of three species of tree squirrels currently classified in the genus Tamiasciurus , known as the pine squirrels (the others are the Douglas squirrel , T. douglasii , and the southwestern red squirrel , T. fremonti ). The American red squirrel is variously known as the pine squirrel or piney squirrel , North American red squirrel , chickaree , boomer , or simply red squirrel . The squirrel
918-552: Is part of the Fargo, ND-Moorhead, MN Metropolitan Statistical Area . Cass County was defined by action of the Dakota Territory legislature on January 4, 1873, and its organization was effected on October 27 of that year. It was named for railroad executive George Washington Cass (1810–1888). Its boundaries were altered in 1875, and in 1961. Cass County lies on the east side of North Dakota. Its east boundary line abuts
972-683: The North Dakota Legislative Assembly , Fargo falls into 9 districts: 10th, 11th, 16th, 21st, 27th, 41st and 44th-46th. In the House, it's represented by 7 Democrats and 11 Republicans, in Senate by 4 Democrats and 5 Republicans. School districts include: K-12: Elementary: Former districts: 46°56′N 97°15′W / 46.93°N 97.25°W / 46.93; -97.25 American red squirrel The American red squirrel ( Tamiasciurus hudsonicus )
1026-542: The United States Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 1,767.811 square miles (4,578.61 km ), of which 1,764.935 square miles (4,571.16 km ) is land and 2.876 square miles (7.45 km ) (0.2%) is water. Cass County has the following lakes: As of the first quarter of 2024, the median home value in Cass County was $ 309,530, an increase of 2.7% from the prior year. As of
1080-475: The 2004 presidential election, George W. Bush carried Cass County with nearly 60 percent of the vote. However, in recent elections, the county has become more politically diverse and competitive, particularly in Fargo. In 2008, Democratic candidate Barack Obama won the majority of votes in Cass County, with a voting percentage very close to the percentage Obama received in the entire nation, while John McCain won
1134-411: The 2023 American Community Survey , there are 84,603 estimated households in Cass County with an average of 2.24 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $ 73,742. Approximately 9.9% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line . Cass County has an estimated 75.2% employment rate, with 43.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.4% holding
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#17327917694581188-409: The American red squirrel. The southwestern red squirrel ( T. fremonti ) was long considered conspecific with T. hudsonicus , but a 2016 phylogenetic study found it to be a distinct species. Red squirrels can be easily distinguished from other North American tree squirrels by their smaller size, 28–35 cm (11–14 in) total length (including tail), territorial behavior, and reddish fur with
1242-615: The City of Casselton. The reservoir was developed to be used as a municipal water supply until March 1978, when the city's water started to come from the Leonard Phase of the Cass Water Users System. The reservoir area has since been developed into a recreational center with softball diamonds, tennis courts, picnic tables and the like. The streets of Casselton were improved through municipal and state efforts. In 1927,
1296-730: The North American continent. Their range includes: most of Canada , excluding northern areas with no tree cover, the southern half of Alberta and the southwestern coast of British Columbia; the southern half of Alaska; the Rocky Mountains area of the United States, and northern half of the eastern United States. American red squirrels are abundant and not of conservation concern throughout much of their range. American red squirrels were introduced on Newfoundland and have lived there in abundance for decades. The endangered subspecies grahamensis , found only on Mt. Graham, Arizona ,
1350-478: The Northern Pacific Railway sent Mike Smith to plant cottonwood and willow trees in the area to serve as windbreaks along the right-of-way. They planned to harvest the trees for lumber to use as railroad ties, but the experiment failed for a number of reasons. In 1874, Emil Priewe and his wife joined Mike Smith at the station. The Priewe's son, Harry, was born on March 28, 1875, in a sod shanty,
1404-464: The United States, where its cousin the Douglas squirrel is found instead. The squirrel has been expanding its range into hardwood forests. American red squirrels should not be confused with Eurasian red squirrels ( Sciurus vulgaris ); since the ranges of these species do not overlap, they are both commonly referred to as simply "red squirrel" in the areas where they are native. The specific epithet hudsonicus refers to Hudson Bay , Canada, where
1458-405: The age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 44.9% were non-families, and 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 31.5 years. The median income for a household in the county was $ 47,600 and the median income for
1512-426: The age of 18 living with them, 58.8% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.17. The median age in
1566-477: The branches of trees. Nests are also excavated from witches' broom – abnormally dense vegetative growth resulting from a rust disease – or cavities in the trunks of spruce, poplar, and walnut trees. American red squirrels rarely nest below ground. Each individual squirrel has several nests within its territory, and females with young move them between nests. Some behavior has been reported within human dwellings using insulation as nest material. A three-year study of
1620-555: The city was 34.6 years. 31.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.6% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.4% male and 48.6% female. As of the 2000 census , there were 1,855 people, 702 households, and 509 families living in the city. The population density was 1,315.5 inhabitants per square mile (507.9/km). There were 738 housing units at an average density of 523.4 per square mile (202.1/km). The racial makeup of
1674-538: The city was 98.22% White , 0.16% African American , 0.27% Native American , 0.16% Asian , 0.11% from other races , and 1.08% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population. There were 702 households, out of which 40.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.0% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.4% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who
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1728-406: The city. The railroad excavated a reservoir to supply water for its steam engines. In 1906 the railway constructed a round house and service center which operated until 1920. In the 1920s, railroad personnel were transferred to other locations, and as a result, the population of Casselton fell 285 persons between 1920 and 1930. Casselton installed a city water and sewer system in the mid-1920s. Water
1782-429: The city. There were 1,011 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 92.8% White , 0.8% African American , 0.9% Native American , 0.1% Asian , 0.0% Pacific Islander , 0.8% from some other races and 4.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. As of the 2010 census , there were 2,329 people, 874 households, and 633 families living in the city. The population density
1836-442: The county was 91.67% White , 2.29% African American , 1.22% Native American , 2.36% Asian , 0.03% Pacific Islander , 0.53% from some other races and 1.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.01% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 45.4% were German , 35.8% were Norwegian , 9.2% were Irish , 6.3% were Swedish , and 1.7% were American . Of the 63,899 households, 27.8% had children under
1890-449: The county. The population density was 104.6 inhabitants per square mile (40.4/km ). There were 85,397 housing units at an average density of 48.4 inhabitants per square mile (18.7/km ). The racial makeup of the county was 82.00% White , 7.03% African American , 1.42% Native American , 3.29% Asian , 0.05% Pacific Islander , 1.08% from some other races and 5.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.35% of
1944-403: The crude oil and caused a chain of large explosions, which were heard and felt several miles away. The resulting fireball created a massive cloud of black smoke, which prompted authorities to issue a voluntary evacuation of the city and surrounding area as a precaution. The National Transportation Safety Board conducted an investigation, and in 2017 issued findings of probable cause, starting with
1998-548: The downtown roads were graveled. In 1930, as a US Works Progress Administration project under the President Franklin D. Roosevelt administration during the Great Depression , the federal government paid local workers to pave State Highway No. 18 through the city. After World War II, the business district streets were paved with concrete. Since that time, all streets and avenues have been hard-topped, and
2052-457: The first child born in the developing village. Others came to settle and by 1880, the town had a population of 376, according to the official census. A school was organized in 1876 and the town was incorporated as a village in 1880. The hamlet was variously called "the Nursery", "Goose Creek" and "Swan Creek", named for the stream that meandered through the area. In 1876, the railroad established
2106-551: The majority of votes in North Dakota. Mitt Romney 's winning margin in 2012 over Obama in Cass County was 49.9% to 47%, while Donald Trump received 49.3% of votes in 2016, compared to 38.8% for Hillary Clinton and 11.9% for third-party candidates. In 2018, Democratic Senator Heidi Heitkamp achieved a 14-point lead in Eastern North Dakota, although the state as a whole soundly elected Republican Kevin Cramer . In
2160-432: The offspring disperse to their own territories (see Dispersal and survival ). The non-reproductive physical interactions recorded were all instances of chasing an intruder from a territory. If juvenile American red squirrels are to survive their first winter, they must acquire a territory and midden . They can acquire a territory by competing for a vacant territory, creating a new territory or by receiving all or part of
2214-505: The operation. These Bonanza farms became highly successful and proved that the prairie was very suitable for agriculture. Various means were used to attract immigrants from Europe and migrants from the East looking for a piece of land or the chance to become tradesmen and professionals. Casselton's population reached 1,365 in 1885. The Great Northern Railway had an additional influence in the growth of Casselton. Several branches radiated from
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2268-839: The opportunity to mate with the estrous female. Estrous females will mate with 4 to 16 males. Gestation has been reported to range from 31 to 35 days. Females can breed for the first time at one year of age, but some females delay breeding until two years of age or older. Most females produce one litter per year, but in some years reproduction is skipped, while in other years some females breed twice. Litter sizes typically range from one to five, but most litters contain three or four offspring. Offspring are pink and hairless at birth and weigh about 10 g. Offspring grow at approximately 1.8 g per day while nursing, and reach adult body size at 125 days. They first emerge from their natal nests at around 42 days, but continue to nurse until approximately 70 days. Nests are most commonly constructed of grass in
2322-426: The population was 184,525. Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota , accounting for nearly a quarter of the state's population. The county seat is Fargo , the state's most populous city . The county is named for George Washington Cass , president of the Northern Pacific Railway from 1872 to 1875. It is the only Cass County in the United States that is not named after Lewis Cass . Cass County
2376-425: The population. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18, 6.2% were under 5 years of age, and 13.2% were 65 and older. As of the 2010 census , there were 149,778 people, 63,899 households, and 35,215 families in the county. The population density was 84.9 inhabitants per square mile (32.8/km ). There were 67,938 housing units at an average density of 38.5 inhabitants per square mile (14.9/km ). The racial makeup of
2430-583: The school complex was completed in time for the 2003–2004 school year. Casselton is known for its population of American red squirrels . Central Cass High School uses the squirrel as its mascot. On December 30, 2013, a westbound BNSF train carrying soybeans derailed approximately one mile west of Casselton. An adjacent eastbound BNSF train carrying crude oil struck wreckage from the westbound train (accident location 46°54′4.82″N 97°13′59.42″W / 46.9013389°N 97.2331722°W / 46.9013389; -97.2331722 ). The collision ignited
2484-477: The sheriff and state's attorney. Appointed officials include administrator, extension agent, director of tax equalization, finance auditor, highway engineer, human services officer, information technology coordinator, recorder, veterans service officer, and weed control officer. The current Sheriff is Jesse F. Jahner. Jahner has served as Sheriff of Cass County since January 2, 2019. The voters of Cass County have historically tended to vote Republican. As recently as
2538-557: The species was first catalogued by Erxleben in 1771; accordingly, the species was formerly sometimes known as Hudson's Bay squirrel, such as in John James Audubon 's work The Viviparous Quadrupeds of North America . A recent phylogeny suggests the squirrels as a family can be divided into five major lineages. Red squirrels ( Tamiasciurus ) fall within the clade that includes flying squirrels and other tree squirrels (e.g., Sciurus ). There are 25 recognized subspecies of
2592-550: The wake of the Lac-Mégantic derailment in Canada earlier in the year. Casselton mayor Ed McConnell, acknowledging that the town "dodged a bullet", publicly called on the federal government to review the dangers and urged lawmakers to consider pipelines as a safer option. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 2.192 square miles (5.68 km), of which, 2.162 square miles (5.60 km)
2646-426: The west boundary line of the state of Minnesota across the river. The Red River flows northward along the county's east boundary, on its way to Lake Winnipeg and Hudson Bay. The county's terrain consists of low rolling hills, devoted to agriculture except around developed areas. Its terrain slopes to the north and east, with its highest point on the southwestern corner at 1,194 ft (364 m) ASL. According to
2700-436: Was 1,245.5 inhabitants per square mile (480.9/km). There were 926 housing units at an average density of 495.2 per square mile (191.2/km). The racial makeup of the city was 97.3% White , 0.1% African American , 0.9% Native American , 0.1% Asian , 0.4% from other races , and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 874 households, of which 42.9% had children under
2754-451: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16. In the city, the population was spread out, with 31.6% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 106.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.9 males. The median income for
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#17327917694582808-408: Was created in 1933 by Max Taubert when a Sinclair gas station occupied the lot that included a hamburger stand. It is approximately 45 feet (14 m) tall, and is made of thousands of oil cans. It was rescued from possible demolition in 2008 by a group of local volunteers. Cass County, North Dakota Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota . As of the 2020 census ,
2862-892: Was formerly considered a member of this species, but is now considered a subspecies of the southwestern red squirrel Tamiasciurus fremonti . American red squirrels are primarily granivores , but incorporate other food items into their diets opportunistically. In The Yukon, extensive behavioral observations suggest white spruce seeds ( Picea glauca ) comprise more than 50% of a red squirrel's diet, but squirrels have also been observed eating spruce buds and needles, mushrooms, willow ( Salix sp.) leaves, poplar ( Populus sp.) buds and catkins, bearberry ( Arctostaphylos sp.) flowers and berries, and animal material such as bird eggs or even snowshoe hare leverets (young). White spruce cones mature in late July and are harvested by red squirrels in August and September. These harvested cones are stored in
2916-566: Was pumped from artesian wells, and stored in a standpipe which was located on the east part of town. Today, that site is used as a winter skating rink. Looking like a gigantic culvert, the standpipe was 110 feet (34 m) tall and was kept until 1956. By 1957, the Great Northern Railway no longer had a need for the Casselton reservoir. They deeded the 73 acres (300,000 m) of land, which encompassed that body of water, to
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