Calio is a city in Cavalier County, North Dakota. The population was 8 at the 2020 census. Calio was founded in 1905.

Calio is one of Cavalier County's hidden gems, famous for the crowd-pleasing chicken served on Tuesday nights at the Calio Bar!  Watch their FaceBook page for menu updates and events!  Click here!
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Highlights of Calio, ND: A Rich History
  • Early Settlers & Founding:
    Founded in 1898 by German families. Originally named Tyrol, then Trier, before becoming Calio in 1905.
  • Railway Influence:
    The Soo Line Railroad arrived in 1905, bringing growth. The first train reached Calio on November 10, 1905.
  • Community Life:
    • A bustling town in the early 1900s with general stores, elevators, a butcher shop, and a hardware store.
    • Social activities included dances, movies, and roller-skating, often hosted by St. Boniface Catholic Church.
    • A thriving school was built in 1915, used until its closure in 1962.
  • Industry & Agriculture:
    Calio supported grain elevators, blacksmith shops, and even a cheese factory (1931–1933).
    Local farmers shipped grain, cream, and livestock via railroad.
  • Population:
    Peaked at 168 in 1925; by 2002, only 22 residents remained within city limits.
  • Church History:
    St. Boniface Catholic Church, built in 1902, moved from Trier to Calio in 1916, serving the community until its closure in 1980.
  • Key Landmarks & Events:
    • The Calio Iron Works ran day and night in the early 1900s.
    • A two-room schoolhouse was a central hub for education and social gatherings.
    • A fire destroyed the last grain elevator in 1960.
  • Unique Facts:
    • Calio once boasted one of the best 16-piece bands in Cavalier County.
    • In 1915, the village incorporated and covered nine sections of land, rumored to be the largest corporate village in North Dakota.
Today, Calio remains a small, quiet community with deep historical roots and a legacy of industrious settlers who built a thriving town in North Dakota's prairie landscape.​