In the later part of the 19th Century, settlement in the prairies began. A family by the name Hamilton struck camp three and a half miles south-east of the present Hamiota town site. A post office was established with the name Hamilton, but it was frequently confused with Hamilton, Ontario and mail often ended up there. The name "Hamiota" came from Hamilton, and the second half, "ota" came from the Dakota word meaning "many/plenty", meaning there were many Hamiltons in the settlement.
The first house in the new town settlement was moved from Colin McMurachy's farm 13 miles away in 1891. The first school was built in 1892, located on the south-east corner of the farm of Mr. James Stewart. The first teacher was Mr. W. E. Pye. Nearly ten years later a new school was rebuilt.
As the town increased, it finally incorporated in the spring of 1906 and the first elections were held that December, however the mayor and all members of council were elected by acclamation (won by default because no one ran against them).
Such names as Hamilton, Riddell, Rapkin, Fraser, Kirk, Pearson, Hanna, Middleton, McConnell, Park, Shier, Kerr, Whyte, Rutherford, Anderson, Angus and many more, far too numerous to mention, helped make the community what it is today.
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Photo: wmathison https://www.flickr.com/photos/19792275@N04/13605441625/