[5] The first permanent settlers arrived in the area of the present town at the time of the Cherokee Outlet land opening on September 16, 1893.

The town received its name from Adam Bower, an early settler, because of its scenic location along the Cimarron River.

The Bower family built a wooden building in which they opened a post office on April 18, 1894.

[6] The Kansas City, Mexico and Orient Railway (later part of the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad), built a track through Fairview.

The railroad soon established machine shops, a roundhouse, and a division office in the town.

It beat three competing communities that vied for the title: Cleo Springs, Orienta, and Ringwood.

In addition, Head Start preschool and a pre-K program, and vocational education, are through the Northwest Technology Center.