When George Grant came to the United States from England in 1872, he encouraged English and Scottish immigration to this area, which he named Victoria in honor of England's queen. In 1875 Volga Germans from southern Russia immigrated here to flee the Czar's army and founded the village of Herzog. The British soon found pioneer life too demanding and left the area to the Volga Germans. In 1913 the two towns combined under the name Victoria. A historical marker at W. Main and Old U.S. 40 tells the story of Victoria's unusual beginnings.