The community is so named for John G. Dahmer, a late 19th-century resident, and first Postmaster. His son also became the school teacher for three generations of children at the local Dahmer school. His grandson, Johnny Arvin Dahmer became a noted local historian for the county, and wrote "The Dahmer Letter", a weekly article in the Pendleton Times highlighting news, local history, folklore, and activities taking place in the Dahmer community between 1968 and 1982. The "Dahmer Letters" were compiled by David Kuykendall and published as a book in 2002. Dahmer is also home to the historic Ananais Pitsenbarger Farm.
