History
History
Donnybrook, nestled in the rolling hills of Ward County, was established in 1893 and named after the Donnybrook Fair in Ireland. The town’s early growth was closely tied to the expansion of the Soo Line Railroad, which brought new opportunities for commerce and settlement.
In 1897, the original settlement's postmaster temporarily changed the name to Goetz, but it was changed back to Donnybrook in 1898 when the town relocated west along the main line of the railroad. From there, Donnybrook grew into a strong agricultural community with a close-knit population and a vibrant local economy.
Education played a central role in community life. Donnybrook High School was home to the proud Donnybrook Hi-Liners, whose maroon and white colors were a familiar sight at local sporting events. The school served generations of area students and was a source of community pride until it closed. Though the main school building stood as a symbol of the town’s history for years, it was lost to a fire in the early 2000s. One piece of the school, however, still stands strong—the gymnasium. Today, that same gym serves as Donnybrook City Hall, continuing to host events, activities, and gatherings.
Though smaller today, Donnybrook continues to reflect the values it was built on: resilience, connection to the land, and a strong sense of community.
We honor the memory of those who came before us through photos, stories, and shared history. Donnybrook may be small, but its past is rich with the spirit of the prairie—and that spirit still lives in every handshake, harvest, and hometown gathering.
If you have old photos,or newspaper clippings, we’d love to add them to this page or to the trophy cases at city hall!
Reach out to the city office to help us preserve Donnybrook’s legacy.