History of Makoti
Founding Fathers and Name
Edward Kamrud was the leader of a group of men who had visions of a
town near the Fort Berthold Reservation which was soon to be opened to
settlers. Ed wanted to get into the machinery business so he asked the
Soo Line Railroad which was building a railroad from Max to Plaza, to put
in a siding at the point which is now Makoti. He was asked to propose a
name for the townsite and suggested that the name be from Indian lore.
He read about James Holding Eagle who was employed to build an earthen
lodge of the Mandan type on the grounds of the State Capitol at Bismarck.
He wrote to Holding Eagle who advised him that the name of the earthen
lodge was a "Maakoti". He submitted that name to the Soo Line officials
suggesting that the second a be dropped and that the townsite be called
Makoti. The townsite men thanked him by naming one of the streets Edward
in Kamrud's honor.
Beginning of the Town
On July 12, 1911, the village of Makoti was platted
and lots at the townsite were sold. Nearly 200 people attended the sale.
Two weeks after Makoti was christened, construction was started on
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the Erickson-Hellickson Lumber yard
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the Bye Store
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the Turner Restaurant
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the Holien Hardware
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the Bovey Shute Lumberyard
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H. L. Glazer Store
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the First State Bank
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A building had been constructed previously to house the Reservation State
Bank which opened for business on July 12, 1911.
Firsts
Five families and a small group of single men spent that winter in
Makoti. All of them with the exception of E. H. Johnson who had previously
build his residence, made their homes in the store buildings.
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Ed Gullickson was the first druggist at Makoti.
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The post office opened on December 18, 1911 and the first postmaster was
William Nutting.
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Registration for Homesteading the land opened in 1912. On May 1, 1912 the
first fifty members filed. John Wolden and E. A. DeVall were the first
two to choose quarters near Makoti.
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The first station agent for the Soo Line Railroad in Makoti was W. P. Rouhan.
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The first mail carrier was E. C. Stone who began in 1913 and served until
1934.
Businesses
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Two banks
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Two hardware stores
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Three general merchandise stores
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Two lumber yards
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One meat market
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One barbershop
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Two elevators
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One bakery
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Two implement dealers
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Two blacksmith shops
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Two livery and feed stables
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Three coal dealers
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One city dray line
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One feed mill
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One tailor shop
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Two hotels
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Two churches
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One consolidated school
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A telephone company
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A post office
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Soo Line railroad with two trains daily
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One newspaper and "more children to the square inch than any town in the
county", according to R. J. "Dad" Kane, who was then editor of the Makoti
Herald.
Later and long lasting
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In 1917, Joe and Tony Rensch bought the Aamot garage and although the building
was relocated and in 1968 a new building was built, the business is still
in the Rensch family today.
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Erhart Peterson who also still lives in Makoti began his drug store business
in 1925. Before that he had been employed by the Reservation Bank. He eventually
became the postmaster and the post office was moved into his drug store
building. He remained postmaster until he retired.
Government
The people of Makoti voted to incorporate in 1916. The steady growth
of the town and the need for general improvements made the need for local
government apparent.
The first meeting of the board of trustees was held on June 24, 1916.
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Harvey hoff was named president of the board.
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The other elected members of the trustee board were
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A. P. Matson and Henry Staflin.
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Emil Rose was named street commissioner
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C. V. Olson, Clerk
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Ben Grow, police
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Elling Ellingson special police
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E. V. Nelson, treasurer
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Tom Buchanan justice of the peace.
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A volunteer fire department was also organized that year and William Bonday
was fire chief.
Electricity
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Makoti erected a municipal light plant in 1921 which supplied electricity
to the residents. At first it supplied power only certain forenoons and
until eleven o'clock at night which 2 blinks meant "No more lights tonight."
By 1925 it was operating all night.
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In 1928 it was sold to Ottertail Power Company because it was no longer
adequate.
Makoti Park
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The Makoti park project was worked on by the WPA in the 30's. The 3/4 square
block area was originally low ground. The area was filled in leveled, grass
was seeded, and one hundred evergreens and other trees and shrubs were
planted.
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The Makoti and Borderline Homemaker clubs planted perennial flowers, added
tables and benches built and added a fireplace.
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The town installed playground equipment.
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In 1967 a tennis court and basketball court were added to the Park.
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In the early 1970's bequeathed money which with matching federal funds,
city funds and donations allowed Makoti to construct a swimming pool which
has been named after Margaret Jenson who had the dream of leaving something
permanent for the children of this area in memory of her family.
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In 1976 a horseshoe court was added.
Community Spirit
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In the early 1950's the community hall was build by the American Legion
Post.
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In 1953 Makoti was selected as the outstanding community in the county
for improvement and progress.
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In 1963 lights were installed on Main street and in the residential areas.
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In 1967 a water system was developed and in 1969 water lines and sewage
facilities were installed.
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In 1975 the streets were paved.
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In 1977 the Makoti Pioneer Senior Citizens building was built with pledges
and donations from the citizens of Makoti.
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In 1978 the Prairie View Apartments were built to supply low rent housing.
They built 6 one bedroom and 2 two bedroom apartments.
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In 1988 the Makoti Development Corp built a new cafe in Makoti which is
leased out to its managers.
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In 1995, the Development Corp purchased Smith's Grocery and remodeled it
before leasing it.
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