De Smet in Kingsbury County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Kingsbury County Courthouse

Kingsbury Courthouse Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

1. Kingsbury Courthouse Marker

Inscription. Kingsbury County was created and organized on February 2, 1880. It was named for George W. and T. A. Kingsbury, prominent brothers in territorial affairs.

De Smet was platted in 1880. On November 2, of that year, De Smet was chosen as the county seat of Kingsbury County. The deed for the present courthouse site was received from Mr. and Mrs. Albert Keep on May 30, 1882.

The final decision for building a courthouse was made in April of 1888. The east wing was not to exceed the cost of $4,000. On April 5, 1892, initiation for building the west wing was introduced. It wasn't until January 1898 that M. E. Bush was awarded the contract to build an addition. In January of 1899 the new courthouse was opened for business.

Flowers and trees were planted and curved walkways were added to the grounds. The carriage drive-through was used by many horses and buggies.

In 1982, while the courthouse was being restored, six complete court cases were found in the basement vault, and all were in the handwriting of Charles P. Ingalls, dating from 1883 to 1884. C. P. Ingalls served as Justice of the Peace for the young community of De Smet during those years.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Government & Politics. A significant historical year for this entry is 1898.

Location. 44° 23.186′

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N, 97° 32.791′ W. Marker is in De Smet, South Dakota, in Kingsbury County. Marker can be reached from Joliet Avenue SE north of 2nd Street SE, on the right when traveling north. Marker is mounted at eye-level, directly on the subject building, near the front entrance from Joliet Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 202 2nd Street SE, De Smet SD 57231, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kingsbury County, S.D. (a few steps from this marker); First School of De Smet (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); 1880-1890s Prairie Schooner (about 500 feet away); Brewster School (about 600 feet away); Surveyors' House (about 600 feet away); Clancy's Store (about 600 feet away); Waters Land & Loan Company (about 600 feet away); Couse Hardware (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Smet.

Regarding Kingsbury County Courthouse. National Register of Historic Places (1977)

Also see . . . Kingsbury County Courthouse. In April 1981, Rysavy Hartman Associates began a phased restoration/renovation of the courthouse. New “old style” doors and door frames were placed in both parts of the building. Wood moldings and trim have been duplicated throughout the facility to maintain historic significance. The Kingsbury County

Kingsbury County Courthouse Marker (<i>wide view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

2. Kingsbury County Courthouse Marker (wide view)

Courthouse is also listed on the Federal Historical Register. (Submitted on September 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Kingsbury County Courthouse (<i>wide view; marker visible near front entrance</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

3. Kingsbury County Courthouse (wide view; marker visible near front entrance)

Kingsbury County Courthouse Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

4. Kingsbury County Courthouse Cornerstone

Kingsbury County Courthouse (<i>southwest corner view</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, July 14, 2018

5. Kingsbury County Courthouse (southwest corner view)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2020. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 171 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 29, 2018, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.