Settlement in this area dates from about 1850. The first town, 2 miles west, was called San Domingo because of its location near the junction of San Domingo and dry Medio Creeks. After the railroad was built in 1886, citizens moved to Walton, a new flag station, to be on the line. The name honored sheriff D. A. T. Walton. When Norwegians settled the area in the 1890's, Walton became Normanna. The word originally suggested the qualities of old Norse heroes, but through local usage came to mean "Home of the Norseman." The town thrived for years, then declined after a series of fires and the advent of the automobile.