Andover was known by the railroad graders as station number 80. The original plat was made in the spring of 1881. When the graders got through the Coteaus, and saw the valley, they heaved a long sigh, and said "End-Over."
When the town was named the letter A replaced E, making the present name, Andover. The depot was built in the fall of 1881. The first agent was George E. Bryant. E. C. Webster erected the first building, a hardware store, in the winter of 1881-82. The first hotel was built by J. N. Tice; the first residence by Dr. E. H. Compton, and it is still used for a home. In 1882 the first implement and hardware was erected by J. C. Herple, the first general store, in the fall of that same year, by William Taylor, the first blacksmith shop by David Hart. The following year, Dr. Ed. Johnson started the first drug store, J. B. Reed, a lumber yard, and a general store by Middlestad & Antleman. During the year a newspaper, "The Andover Gazette," was started by Bryndleson, Hess and Stickles. In 1884 A. Raynes bought them out and has run it all these years. The same year the first harness shop was started by 0. P. Wessel, the first livery barn by J. H. Brennan, the first bank, by T. M. Loomis, the first furniture sore, by C. S. Blodgett, and the first grain elevator, by the Empire Elevator Co. Strong & Miller were owners of the second elevator.
From this time on the town grew along all lines; some private residences were built, but most of the first business houses were two story and the owners lived up stairs. During the eighties Andover was the second best town in the county, then reverses began to come. Practically the whole of main street, 1 1/4 blocks long, was wiped out by fire. Part of this section has been replaced by new buildings, but the town has never got back to its former prosperous condition. This was in part due to several successive years of poor crops. The village was incorporated August 11, 1886, with A. E. Raynes, President, George E. Bryant, Dan Lynch and Fred S. Pew, Trustees. In this same year was built the first M. E. Church; in 1888 a Catholic Church and a Lutheran Church (German). The C. M. & St. Paul R. R. built a branch line from Andover to Harlem, N. Dak. in 1887, having purchased the right of way and grade of the Dakota and Great Southern, which had been graded from Britton south to a few miles S. E. of Pierpont. One daily mixed train has been running over this line up to the present time, and it has been a good feeder for the company. October 1, 1915 the village was incorporated as a city, E. C. Toy being the first mayor. The present mayor is Fred S. Pew. In 1925 the population was 450. It has varied but little since 1900. There are some very fine comfortable homes in the town, and shade trees in the resident portion. In 1925 there were four elevators, one a Farmers Elevator, the other three operated respectively by J. A. Johnson, A. C. Matteson, and Empire, Miller & Bagley.
Prominent buildings are Citizens State Bank, of which E. L. Stone is President, Waldorf hotel, and a large opera house, Barney Department Store, Raynes Drug Store, Hagarty and Bank Block. The city owns its water system, high line electric lights from Aberdeen, Dakota Central Long Distance telephone, Groton and Ferney local.
Schools—In 1882 the first district school was held in a small house one block west of main street. Miss Swan, now Mrs. A. E. Raynes, was the teacher. About fifteen pupils were in attendance, and the school was under the supervision of Supt. Dickenson.
In 1884 the first public school, a two story frame, was built on the present school ground. Miss Swan was the first teacher.
In 1902 the main part of the present school building was erected.
In 1922 the new addition was added, with a gymnasium.
In 1925 three high school teachers, and four grade teachers were employed. This is an accredited school. The enrollment in H. S. was 47; in the grades, 106. Six graduated from H. S. and 13 from the 8th Grade. The school library has 834 volumes.