The present City of Browerville was legally established on February 8, 1884, as a village. However, the origins of the city began much earlier, back to about 1865 when the John Bassett family settled in the area. The original location of the city was approximately three miles north of the present location on the Long Prairie River. A landmark location today would be the "Hartford Bridge."

In 1882 J. V. Brower, for whom Browerville is named, platted the site of Browerville on a location next to the Great Northern Railroad line, and the current location of Browerville was established. By 1890 Browerville had a population of 86.

On July 16, 1954, the electors of the City of Browerville voted to become a Home Rule Charter City thus terminating the "village" status.

The community has a strong German and Polish ethnic history. The original Catholic church, St. Joseph's, was established in 1882. By 1895, St. Peter's Catholic Church was already established to provide worship for the German members of the community.