Fort Towson

Tokio is an unincorporated community in southeastern Benson County, North Dakota, United States, on the Spirit Lake Indian Reservation. It lies southeast of the city of Minnewaukan, the county seat of Benson County.[2] It has a post office with the ZIP code 58379.[3]

History

Tokio was established in 1906 as a station along the Great Northern Railway. The post office was opened in 1907, and remains in operation today. A railroad official chose the name Tokio, based on the local Dakota word to-ki, or "gracious gift."[4] However, some believe it is named after the city of Tokyo in Japan.[5]

References

  1. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Tokio, North Dakota
  2. ^ Rand McNally. The Road Atlas '08. Chicago: Rand McNally, 2008, p. 77.
  3. ^ USPS – Cities by ZIP Code
  4. ^ Diedrich, Mark (2007). Mni Wakan Oyate (Spirit Lake Nation): A History of the Sisituwan, Wahpeton, Pabaksa, and other Dakota that Settled at Spirit Lake, North Dakota. Spirit Lake, North Dakota: Cankdeska Cikana Community College. ISBN 978-0-9799000-0-6.
  5. ^ Wick, Douglas A. (September 7, 1988). North Dakota Place Names. Hedemarken Collectibles. p. 194. ISBN 0-9620968-0-6.