Organizations
Wilton Ambulance Service - was organized in 1977 after a lot of hard work went into the planning and training prior to the first run.  The first ambulance was a 1971 International Ambulance and was purchased from New Rockford Ambulance Service.  In early 1992 the 911 system went into effect in Wilton with the dispatching coming from Bismarck Central.  In 1990 voters approved an Ambulance District and a 5 mill levy.  In accordance with the ND Century Code, the Wilton Rural Ambulance District was organized and a seven person board of directors was installed.  The Wilton community feels fortunate to have the Ambulance Service volunteers covering their community every day.   

Today's volunteers each carry a pager for those who live in town and a recently built base provides comfortable living quarters for those volunteers from the Bismarck-Mandan area which comprise 1/3 of the service.  In addition to housing, there is room for meetings and training events and a large bay in which the ambulance and equipment are stored.  Due to a shortage of volunteers, the service took a huge step and hired a full-time EMT for weekday coverage.  This extra expense will be funded by an extra 5 mile assessment beginning in 2003.  Meetings are held the first Monday of each month.

Board of Director Members include:  Nicole Schurhamer, President; Glen Aarhus, Vice President; Faye Hogue, Secretary/Treasurer; Leann Ochsner, Bill Knuth, John Clausen Sr. and Dwane Noon.

Ambulance Services are required by law to maintain the privacy of certain confidential health care information.  WRAD's Notice of Protected Health Information Policy.   The Notice is viewable with Acrobat Reader, a free software program.  If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click on the graphic to download.

Wilton's American Legion Post No. 163 - is named after Private Louis Ousley, the son of Mr. and Mrs. A. B. Ousley and was chartered in the early 1920's.  Private Ousley of Company "A" North Dakota Infantry, was not only the first Wilton man to give his life in World War I, but was also the first from North Dakota.  He died a hero's death, carrying a stricken officer toward safety under enemy shelling.  He was hit near his own lines, and comrades brought both men in.  Louis died and the officer survived.  Returning veterans from WWII and the Vietnam War enabled Post 163 to increase its membership to over 100 members in the early 1970's.  During this time, the Post in Regan merged with Post 163. The Post helped purchase about 25 full American Legion uniforms in the mid-1960's.  The Legionnaires appear quite impressive during parades, military funerals, and other events in which they participate while wearing their uniforms.  The Post sponsored charitable gaming in Wilton for several years and contributed to many charitable projects in the Wilton and Regan communities.

Members include:  Earl Aune, Commander; Dennis Devault, Adjutant.

Wilton Fire Department - The Wilton Volunteer Fire Department was organized in October, 1905, but the first minutes in the record book are for April 23, 1907.  At that time, T. E. Thodes was Chief; E. E. Allen foreman; Robert Cotton, assistant foreman; P. K. Eastman, secretary, and Simon Jahr, Treasurer.  The department answered far more calls than they do now, but the reason is readily seen in the explanations given for some of the blazes, such as ashes dropping on the floor, explosion caused from burning coal slack, kitchen stove too near the wall, overheated stoves, and kindling a fire with gasoline instead of kerosene.  Hand-pulled and horse-drawn carts and pumps were used, with the water supply always a source of worry and always made very good use of the water they had.  In 1914 the department was reorganized as a City Volunteer Fire Department to conform to state law, and to coordinate its efforts with those of the city council.  The department now has active fire trucks, one of which is parked in a rented stall in Regan in case of a fire in that area, and also has a suburban for carrying air tanks, extinguishers and firefighting supplies.  The number of runs now averages about 70 a year.  Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of each month. 

Members include:  - Merton Hansen, President; and Lorin Franklund, Vice President; Lorraine Clausen, Secretary/Treasurer; J.D. Youngbird, Fire Chief; Dwane Noon, Martin Hagen, Randy Olson, Alan Wagner, Greg Bailey, Gary Miller, Jerry Bucholz, Mark Hakonson, and William Kilian.

Wilton Legion Auxiliary- is an auxiliary to the American Legion.  On January 28, 1920, the mothers, wives, and daughters of the Legion members met for the purpose of organizing Wilton Legion Auxiliary.  Programs and activities include Americanism, children and youth, community service, education, Girls State, legislative, national security, the Poppy Program, and Veteran Affairs and Rehabilitation.  Members have been very active throughout the years.  They participate in the Poppy Program for Memorial Day every year and also assist with the Memorial Day Service at Riverview Cemetery.  They also assist the Legion with the potluck dinner at the Memorial Hall following the services that is well attended by the public.  

Wilton Lions Club - was chartered in 1975.  The Lions motto is WE SERVE.  The club continues to carry out a number of community service activities such as the community birthday calendar, Santa Claus Day, Easter Fun Day, serving at basketball games, Adopt-A-Highway, benefit breakfasts, sponsoring of girls and boys state candidates, organizing local blood drives as well as numerous cash donations to local causes.  The club also supports the goal of Lions International in the preservation of eyesight.

 Members include:  Jim Porter, President; Oliver Dewald, Secretary; Ken Vetter, Treasurer; Todd Weisenburger, Dwane Noon, Steve Desciak, Glenn Weist, Matt Odegard, and Bill Bitz. 

Wilton Mentor Program - Organized in 1997, the Wilton Mentor Program is a non-profit organization governed by a board of directors consisting of youth and adults.  The Mentor Program works with the Wilton Public School system to provide leadership training activities for grades 7-12 by way of community activities, training, and volunteer time.  The Program helps to strengthen relationships within the community.  For more information about this program, visit www.sunnelutheran.org.

Wilton Soo Line Depot - The Wilton Soo Line Depot was built in 1900, one year after the town of Wilton was established.  The town founder, William Drew Washburn, hired Minneapolis architect William J. Keith to design the depot.  

The depot was built like many depots in the area with the exception of its top story where a replica of a Japanese pagoda was perched.  No one is really sure of the origin of the building's unusual design, but Washburn's travels in the Orient and his collection of Oriental art and curios, surely played a big part in his final design.  

Through the years, the station served the purpose for which it was built accommodating both passengers and freight.  The railway agent and his family lived in the residential quarters on the second floor.  On December 31, 1970, with decreased railroad traffic, the Soo Line closed down.

A Bicentennial Committee was formed and they started searching for a project to observe the nation's birthday.  The depot seemed a perfect project.  The Soo Line donated the depot to the committee with the stipulation that it be moved off railroad right-of-way.  The Wilton City Commission voted to give two lots a block north of Main Street for the project.

The depot was moved on May 25, 1976.  It has become a railroad museum.  There were many volunteer hours that helped in making the museum quite a showplace.

Members include:  Ray Brostrom, Chairman; James Porter, Rodney Peterson and Betty Werre.

Wilton Senior Citizens - It was 33 years ago when Father Theodore Gustin sent out about 120 letters inviting senior citizens in the community to a meeting at the Wilton City Hall on January 15, 1970, to see if there would be enough interest to organize a club for the older citizens in the Wilton area.  Only 34 people attended the meeting, but the idea took hold immediately.  The sole purpose of the organization was to provide recreation, education, and service to its members.  Dinners are served at Noon Monday through Friday at the Center and Meals on Wheels are made there and delivered to those who cannot get to the Center.  Many members, while delivering meals, will also pick up those persons who have no way to get to the Center for dinner and fellowship. The clubs monthly meetings are the first Tuesday of each month.  They decide at the meeting the date for the monthly potluck usually about the third Saturday each month.  Card parties are held every Saturday and Monday nights, Saturday for whist and Monday for pinochle.  Monday and Wednesday afternoons for hand and foot.  Weekly pool tournaments are also held.

Wilton Tree Board - Has assisted with many projects throughout the city by donations of labor and monies from various businesses and individuals.  Quentin and Joyce Spitzer donated the land for the arboretum.

Projects that have been completed are Wilton's Centennial Park, the planting of trees along the east side of Railroad Avenue, along the northern edge of the city and on Minnie Avenue to the south.

Board Members include:  Emil Bergquist, Chairman; David Krein, MacDonald Omafray, and Kyle Tschosik.

Women of Wilton (WOW)-is a non-profit organization formed in 1990.  WOW serves the residents of Wilton and the surrounding area, sponsoring activities which benefit school age and younger children as well as adults.  WOW co-sponsors the bicycle safety event and the Lions Annual Easter Egg Hunt.  Monies have been donated to the After Prom Party Alternative, Consumer Science Class, the ambulance fundraiser and many other benefits.

Board Members include:  Christy Peck, President; Linda Mees, Secretary; Steph Hochhalter, Treasurer.