Essig, Minnesota, began as "Siding Number 1," a side track that Chief Engineer Blunt of the Winona & St. Peter Railroad Co. announced on April 8, 1885, would be built between New Ulm and Sleepy Eye to receive grain. Soon after the siding was established, the Empire Mill Co. of New Ulm erected an elevator, and the first shipment of grain was received on September 9, 1885. The adjoining site, owned by the rail line, was platted for a townsite on August 21, 1885, and by September 30 John Essig of Milford Township had bought a lot and built a store. A railroad company officer named the site "ESSIG" in honor of the man who erected the first business building there. On March 3, 1886, the Postal Department granted a petition to establish a post office at Siding Number 1 under the name "ESSIG," and John Essig became the first postmaster.