About this city
Also known as: The Grain and Oil City
Ray is a booming, industrial-agricultural rural city located in Williams County within the vast, wind-swept prairies of northwestern North Dakota, positioned along U.S. Highway 2 just northeast of Williston. Founded in 1902 during the westward extension of the Great Northern Railway and named after Chief Engineer Alva J. Ray, the town thrived for a century as a deeply traditional grain-shipping agricultural rail hub. However, following the dawn of the 21st century, Ray's economic landscape was dramatically supercharged by the historic Bakken oil boom, transforming the quiet farming village into a high-intensity operational and housing node for petroleum extraction services. Today, Ray balances its deep agricultural homesteading heritage with modern oilfield logistics.
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Economics & Local Vibe
Practical Tourism Metadata
Suggested stay: 1 day
View modern industrial oil well pumpjacks contrasting with golden wheat fields along the rural roads, play golf at the Ray Golf Course, and explore pioneering agricultural machinery displays at the Grain Palace exhibits.
