Near Bruce in Brookings County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Oakwood

1877-1894

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, July 5, 2007

1. Oakwood Marker

Inscription. Oakwood, called Tetonkaha, Lakes, when visited in 1838 by Nicollet & Fremont, was site of a small Fort, N of Little Round Lake in 1857 and again occupied in 1863-64. The township was surveyed by Richard F. Pettigrew in September 1871 and James Stoughton and “Old Spot,” Samuel Mortimer, took claims shortly and lived in area until 1875. In meanwhile Byron and W. W. Pay arrived in 1873. James S. Cummings, later postmaster May 4, 1877, came in 1875 and William P., William C. Miller, J. S. Beardsley and R. P. Devan in 1876. Arthur S. Mitchell arrived May 1. 1877.
Preceded in Brookings County only by Medary, 1857, and re-settled in 1871, Oakwood was the second community and, connected by stage with Medary, Flandreau and the south, it was a thriving community. Platted by John C. Ogden for Joshua Downing in April 1879 it was a stage stop for Goodwin and Gary until in the fall of 1879 the Dakota Central reached Volga 7 miles S and there was an exodus for the railhead. The Post Office was discontinued in 1894, mail going to Bruce.

Erected 1960 by Kin of Arthur S. Mitchell and State Historical Society. (Marker Number 279.)

Topics and series.

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This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1838.

Location. 44° 25.623′ N, 96° 57.445′ W. Marker is near Bruce, South Dakota, in Brookings County. It is on County Road 6 half a mile west of 163rd Avenue, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bruce SD 57220, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

on the prairies,

and on the Northern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Sutton Home Site (approx. 1.3 miles away); Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm (approx. 1½ miles away); What is this earthen wall? (approx.

Oakwood Town Plat image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, July 5, 2007

2. Oakwood Town Plat

1.7 miles away); Oakwood Lakes State Park (approx. 1.7 miles away); Oakwood Lakes Burial Mounds (approx. 2.2 miles away); Milkweed (approx. 2.3 miles away); Significant Site (approx. 2.3 miles away); Bur Oak (approx. 2.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruce.

Oakwood Marker from the road image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Roger Dean Meyer, July 5, 2007

3. Oakwood Marker from the road

Credits. This page was last revised on August 21, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 12, 2020, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 727 times since then and 28 times this year. Last updated on August 18, 2021. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 12, 2020, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.