[4][5] The name was changed to Sopenah by the Northern Pacific Railway after it refused to recognize the moniker because there was already a Little Falls, Minnesota.

Vader later moved to California or Florida where a myth began that he did not care for the recognition; later reporting stated that he was proud of the honor.

[5][6][7] Twice in the 21st century motions have been made to change the community's moniker back to its original name, Little Falls, due to a variety of concerns such as the name of Vader did not encapsulate the meaning of the town, or that the title of Little Falls would be more inviting from a tourism and visitor standpoint.

The issue was added to the ballot in 2005 and 2015 to determine voter approval; both attempts failed.

Businesses included a bowling alley, an opera house, several saloons, and the Vader Moving Picture Theater.

[5] The seven Olson brothers,[a] notably Ben Olsen of the Ben Olsen House, began the Stillwater Logging and Lumber Company; the company operated a sawmill in Vader beginning in late December 1907, at its peak employing as many as 180 men.

[15] Despite the facility having a fire suppression system in place by 1915,[16] the mill burned down on the evening of January 11, 1916; damages were estimated between $30,000 and $100,000.

Though the plane mill and dry kiln areas survived, the loss of timber and a rail engine were substantial.

[5] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 0.93 square miles (2.41 km2), all of it land.

Over the years, the festival has incorporated car shows, a cake walk, and the coronation of a May Day Queen, who used to be elected based on the most amount of money collected through donation jars.

[10][29] The mansion was built in 1903 to serve the Olsen family who owned the Stillwater Lumber Co. and Mill; it was the first home in the community to have electricity.

Located north of the main hub of the town, it is bordered by Olequa Creek and the Little Falls of Vader, and a portion of the park is outside the city limits.

Plans for the site include an amphitheater, ball fields, playgrounds, and camping and picnic amenities.

As part of the donation, a large black walnut tree was to be left standing.

The city council for Vader is composed of five at-large, non-partisan members who, along with the mayor, are elected to serve four-year terms.

[5] The grade school in Vader, built in the 1950s,[5] closed in 2007 after a local levy and bond measure failed.

The measures were meant to fund maintenance and operations at the school and improve the safety of the campus.