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History · Mapleton Township

Mapleton Township dates to 1875

Most of Mapleton Township was built recently: 4% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1993. Below: maps from 1959 on and the census since 1890.

1875founded
0on the National Register
4%homes built before 1940
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Photo: Andrew Filer · CC BY-SA 2.0
Quick answers

How Mapleton Township began

When was Mapleton Township founded?

1875

Mapleton Township dates its founding to 1875 (Wikidata). The census first counted it in 1890.

First census: 119 in 18902020 census: 191151 years
Founding year: Wikidata.The full story ↓

What stands out about Mapleton Township’s past

Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.

A history waiting to be writtenNo old photos of Mapleton Township are in the public archives yet. The rest are in attics and albums.Shrank, then grewLost half of its people between 1900 and 1950, then grew 7-fold.
★ What stands out · Help out

Start Mapleton Township’s collection

The first neighbors to add old photos shape how Mapleton Township’s history is told.

Decades since 1900 with photos
00s10s20s30s40s50s60s70s80s90s
0 of 10 decades. The empty ones are waiting for someone’s album.
Share a family photoSign in to add one+10
People over time

Mapleton Township, census by census

02004006008001,0001,2001,4001900192019401960198020002020322 in 1900Low: 169

Lost half of its people between 1900 and 1950, then grew 7-fold.

14 censuses, 1890–2020.

U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts, from the census table on Mapleton Township’s Wikipedia page.

The story

How Mapleton Township came to be

From Wikipedia’s history of Mapleton Township.

Read it all →

Mapleton was platted in 1876, soon after the railroad was extended to that point. The city took its name from the Maple River. A post office has been in operation at Mapleton since 1875.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Timeline

Mapleton Township, 1875 to 2020

Woven from the archive, old maps, post office records, the National Register and the people born here.

  1. 19th century
  2. 1875
    FoundingMapleton Township is established
  3. 20th century
  4. 1959On the mapFirst mapped by the U.S. Geological Survey
  5. 21st century
  6. 2020CensusPopulation peaks at 1,320
By decade

Mapleton Township, decade by decade

Today6 recent
Mapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North DakotaMapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North DakotaMapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North DakotaMapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North DakotaMapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North DakotaMapleton, North Dakota2006Mapleton, North Dakota
On the map

Mapleton Township on the map, 1959 to 1971

Every edition of the U.S. Geological Survey’s map of Mapleton Township. Tap a year, or press play to watch the town change.

Mapleton Township on the 1959 USGS mapMapleton Township on the 1971 USGS map1959South West Fargo sheet · 1:24,000

U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (public domain), via Esri’s collection of the scans. The red ring marks the center of Mapleton Township.

Places that used to be

Old corners

Old hamlets and crossroads still carry their names on the map.

Hamlets and corners on the map
Fife

Places and cemeteries from the USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).

Stories next door

History across the town line

Each neighbor’s History grade, on the same three inputs.

West FargoIts storyDBarnes TownshipIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its townMapletonIts storyC−Warren TownshipIts storynot graded: under 1,000 residents or part of its town

Questions about Mapleton Township’s history

What year was Mapleton Township founded?

In 1875, according to Wikidata. the census of 1890 counted 119 people here.

Memory lane

What the archives can’t tell you, neighbors can.

Town Square →
Start a conversation
Sources

Where this page comes from

Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021). How TownRatings grades history →

From Wikimedia Commons (6), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.