In August of 1879, there came to Valley City three obviously well-dressed and prospering individuals who registered at the Sherman House.
Contacting B. W. Benson, the leading land agent of the city, they explained that they were interested in homesteading some land. They introduced themselves as Judge Green, his son, G. 8. Green and A. H. Gray, all from Coldwater, Michigan.
Land was selected in Township 139 -Range 59 (Green Township) and the trio purchased horses, wagons, lumber and supplies and drove to their claims, where they built homesteader shacks, plowed a few acres and then left for Michigan, informing the editor of the Northern Pacific Times that they would return in the Spring with additional settlers and their families.
In January, 1880, the paper reported that G. B. Green had married Fannie Grinnell at Coldwater, Michigan. April first a party of thirteen from Coldwater, Michigan detrained at Valley City, including G. B. Green and his new wife. A. H. Gray also arrived, but without his wife. Judge Green remained at Coldwater.
By the fifteenth, the party had eleven houses under construction, and the editor noted that there was a Gray, a Brown, a Green, a Black and a White in the group, and he suggested that it be called "The Colorful Community."
On April 29th, the newspaper noted that A. H. Gray had arrived in town early in the morning, obviously on an important mission, since he "had on a boiled shirt" and wore his pants outside his boots. The occasion was the arrival of Mrs. A. H. Gray. It was a big day for Mr. Gray as he was at the same time appointed a County Commissioner to replace a Mr. Goodwin, who had resigned.
July 4th, 1880, was celebrated by the community, now called "Gra-Green," by a picnic and program at "Lake Gray." On July 8th, the Gra-Green Community petitioned the County Commissioner for a County-built road.
Indications are that, in addition to a post office established the next February 28, 1881, with G. B. Green as postmaster, there possibly was a small store and blacksmith shop located in Gra-Green.
A. H. Gray became associated with the American National Bank and engaged in the implement business. G. B. Green became the teller of the First National Bank, was president of the Sanborn bank and still later, in 1883, owner .in part of the Bank of Lisbon.
Prevailing prices
for
grains, vegetables and-common supplies
in
1880
Market Buying Prices
| Corn per bushel | 70 |
| Wheat per bushel | 75 |
| Oats per bushel | 35 |
| Barley per bushel | 40 |
| New Potatoes Bu | 35 |
| Turnips Bu | 20 |
| Beets Bu | 50 |
| Onions Bu | 75 |
Selling Prices
| Hay per ton at stack | 5.00 |
| Salt per barrel | 2.75 |
| Lime per barrel | 2.30 |
| Hard wood per cord | 5.50 |
| Coal per ton (hard) | 11.50 |
| Nails per pound | 0.06 |
| Shot per pound | 12 |
| Powder per pound | 0.50 |
| Well Buckets | 0.70 |
| Well Wheels | 0.75 |
| Sugar per pound | 0.09 |
| Ground Feed per Cwt | 1.25 |
| Flour per barrel | 6.00 |
| Calico per yard | 0.09 |
| Sheeting per yard | 0.06 |
| Flooring per 1000 board feet | 24.00 |
| Common rough boards | 18.00 |
| Common-dressed one side | 20 |
| Siding - | |
| Doors ‑ 2' x 6' | 2.20 |
| Sash ‑ four light glazed | 2.75 |
| Brick per 1000 | 10.00 |
Brick were manufactured in Valley City by the Turnblower Brick Co. located east of the Main Street bridge.
Source: Barnes County History 1976 Page 323