Medora was a thriving city in 1886, nestled in the Bad Lands of Dakota Territory, but a series of events including blizzards, market fluctuations and the loss of its main supporter, the Marquis DeMores, diminished its significance to all but a small number of businessmen and area ranchers.
After a hiatus of nearly 60 years, it would take another man’s dream, plus some wax, to bring new life to the town. Harold Schafer was selling linoleum for Fargo Paint and Glass when he noticed that the commercial grade floor waxes were superior to the products sold to “housewives.” He bought a 55-gallon drum of the better wax, then went to the “dump grounds” where he picked up discarded cans. He cleaned the cans and typed up some labels. He named the product “Gold Seal Floor Wax.”