On this date in 1951, Tioga and nearby Ray, North Dakota, quickly adapted to the oil boom by expanding housing, services, and jobs for incoming drilling crews.

Here is the complete story as it appeared in the paper that day:

By Cal Olson — Fargo Forum Staff Writer

Tioga, N.D. — Field headquarters in the continuing search for oil beneath the wheat fields of North Dakota is this town of some 456 persons.

Although a sign at the intersections of Highways 2 and 40 three miles south of Tioga welcomes travelers to the “oil capital of North Dakota,” most residents of the town recognize that their facilities are too limited to fully warrant the title.

As one Tiogan put it: “We don’t expect the big oil companies to set up their main state headquarters here, but we hope Tioga will be an advance

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