Name thumb|Downtown Sherburn in the early twentieth century Several names were originally considered for the town site, including Lone Cedar, Huntington, and Vestal. But when the Southern Minnesota Railroad came through in October 1878, the name Sherburne was accepted in honor of Sherburne S. Merrill, general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad. With the railroad's influence on the area, Sherburn's growth by 1879 had grown to fifteen buildings with a total value of approximately $8,000.00.
Name thumb|Downtown Sherburn in the early twentieth century Several names were originally considered for the town site, including Lone Cedar, Huntington and Vestal. But when the Southern Minnesota Railroad came through in October 1878, the name Sherburne was accepted in honor of Sherburne S. Merrill, general manager of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St Paul Railroad. With the railroad's influence on the area, Sherburn's growth by 1879 had grown to fifteen buildings with a total value of approximately $8,000.00.