The village of Dazey dates back to 1878 when the Mack brothers, who had homesteaded the land of the present site of Dazey, sold their land to C. T. Dazey, a more or less famous playwright. Dazey and his son proceeded to farm on grand scale, living in Valley City during the winter months. While living at the Kindred Hotel, C. T. Dazey wrote the play, "The American King," which was first produced in the old Opera House in Valley City. Dazey had previously written several plays for Broadway, including "In Old Kentucky" and "Abie's Irish Rose."
When the Cooperstown branch of the Northern Pacific was built, Dazey offered to donate half of Section 19 for a town if the town was named after him. A way station of sorts for travelers was called "Harvard" prior to this time. The railroad agreed and a J. M. Burrell was to survey and plat the new town.
Dazey was known as a "boom town" up to the beginning of the first World War. A post office was established January 7, 1884 with John H. Little as the first postmaster. By 1900 many substantial buildings had been built, including two brick bank buildings, several churches and a school. The village was incorporated in 1890.
During the boom days of Dazey, there were several hotels, among which were the "Welcome Patterson," the "Iowa," the "Kenilworth," the "Thurston" and the "Kelly." Miss Lulu Larson was the first child born in Dazey and was well known for her donation of her musical talent over the years.
The Methodist Church was first organized in 1882 and the present church was built in 1891. The Lutheran Church was built in 1902.
In 1904 the two banks, the Dazey State Bank and the Security State Bank were built. In 1905 came the organization of the Community Telephone Company. In 1906 saw the beginnings of the Dazey Co-op Store, with C. P. Stowman the manager. Also Dazey's first newspaper, the "Dazey Herald." Subsequently, the "Dazey Commercial," edited by Leo Ratcliff was combined with the "Rogers Citizen" to become the "Dazey Commercial Citizen." Will Osborne operated a feed and flour mill which gained some prominence.
With the passing of the roaring twenties and the dust bowl thirties, the fortunes of Dazey were on a downward spiral. The pioneers passed away one by one. The banks closed during the depression. Many families left for greener pastures. Yet Dazey, a town of many white houses set on green lawns has survived. The return of the veterans of the Second World War and the Korean Conflict has stimulated the residents and there has been a desire to make Dazey a good place in which to live. New houses have been built and there is a feeling of togetherness in the community not prevalent after the grim depression days.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 282