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
the Erickson-Hellickson Lumber yard
the Bye Store
the Turner Restaurant
the Holien Hardware
the Bovey Shute Lumberyard
H. L. Glazer Store
the First State Bank
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 built his residence, made their homes in the store buildings
.
Ed Gullickson was the first druggist at Makoti.
The post office opened on December 18, 1911 and the first postmaster was William Nutting.
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.
The first station agent for the Soo Line Railroad in Makoti was W. P. Rouhan.
The first mail carrier was E. C. Stone who began in 1913 and served until 1934.
Businesses
By May, 1914
Two banks
Two hardware stores
Three general merchandise stores
Two lumber yards
One meat market
One barbershop
Two elevators
One bakery
Two implement dealers
Two blacksmith shops
Two livery and feed stables
Three coal dealers
One city dray line
One feed mill
One tailor shop
Two hotels
Two churches
One consolidated school
A telephone company
A post office
Soo Line railroad with two trains daily
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
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.
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.
Harvey hoff was named president of the board.
The other elected members of the trustee board were
A. P. Matson and Henry Staflin.
Emil Rose was named street commissioner
C. V. Olson, Clerk
Ben Grow, police
Elling Ellingson special police
E. V. Nelson, treasurer
Tom Buchanan justice of the peace.
A volunteer fire department was also organized that year and William Bonday was fire chief.
Electricity
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.
In 1928 it was sold to Ottertail Power Company because it was no longer adequate.
Makoti Park
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.
The Makoti and Borderline Homemaker clubs planted perennial flowers, added tables and benches built and added a fireplace.
The town installed playground equipment.
In 1967 a tennis court and basketball court were added to the Park.
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.
In 1976 a horseshoe court was added.
Community Spirit
In the early 1950's the community hall was build by the American Legion Post.
In 1953 Makoti was selected as the outstanding community in the county for improvement and progress.
In 1963 lights were installed on Main street and in the residential areas.
In 1967 a water system was developed and in 1969 water lines and sewage facilities were installed.
In 1975 the streets were paved.
In 1977 the Makoti Pioneer Senior Citizens building was built with pledges and donations from the citizens of Makoti.
In 1978 the Prairie View Apartments were built to supply low rent housing. They built 6 one bedroom and 2 two bedroom apartments.
In 1988 the Makoti Development Corp built a new cafe in Makoti which is leased out to its managers.
In 1995, the Development Corp purchased Smith's Grocery and remodeled it before leasing it.
