Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Carnegie Library

August 29, 2021

1. Carnegie Library Marker

Inscription. The Wessington Springs Carnegie Library, built in 1917 at a cost of $7,000 is the last of 25 South Dakota public libraries financed by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie through the Carnegie Library Building Program. Since its formal opening on February 1, 1918, the building has been in continuous use as a library.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. In addition, it is included in the Carnegie Libraries, and the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 1, 1918.

Location. 44° 4.755′ N, 98° 34.331′ W. Marker is in Wessington Springs, South Dakota, in Jerauld County. It is on West Main Street east of Dakota Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 109 W Main St, Wessington Springs SD 57382, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in East River

and specifically in the James River Valley.

It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 walking distance of this marker: Methodist Episcopal Church of Wessington Springs (within shouting distance of this marker); Stratton Park (within shouting distance of this marker); South Dakota Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Opera House (about 500 feet away); Jerauld County Courthouse (about

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500 feet away); Wessington Springs' First Home (about 600 feet away); Wessington Springs, South Dakota Veterans Memorial (about 700 feet away); Legion Hill (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wessington Springs.

Also see . . . South Dakota SP Wessington Springs Carnegie Library - National Archives Catalog. From the National Register of Historic Places Continuation Sheet (1999):

Statement of Significance:

"In 1916, a group of Wessington Springs citizens realizing the cultural and educational impact of a library on a growing community, applied to the Carnegie Corporation for funding to construct a library building. They were awarded $7,000.00 providing they would pledge themselves to expend at least 10% of the grant amount to provide books and ongoing services. F.C.W. Kuehn of Huron, South Dakota was contacted to develop plans for the building's design. Construction began in the summer of 1917 and officially opened on February 1, 1918."

"The library at Wessington Springs is unique, for it was designed in the Prairie style, a style that was merely 3% of the total style used. The library in Wessington Springs exhibits common Prairie style traits: a low and horizontal
August 29, 2021

2. Wessington Springs Carnegie Library & Marker
design emphasis; overhanging hip roof; walls of brick; ribbon windows; and geometric design elements. Most Prairie style libraries are located in the mid-west but isolated examples can be found as far a field as Washington but those are designed by mid-west firms.

Of the 25 Carnegie Libraries constructed in South Dakota three have been razed (25%), 14 no longer function as a library (56%) and 8 are still libraries (32%). The library at Wessington Springs is significant because it is one of eight libraries in the State of South Dakota that is still used as a library."

(Submitted on January 5, 2025.)

Carnegie Library Cornerstone image. Click for full size.

November 24, 2024

3. Carnegie Library Cornerstone

National Register of Historic Places Marker image. Click for full size.

August 29, 2021

4. National Register of Historic Places Marker

Listed on the Register in 1999.

Dedication Stone Marker image. Click for full size.

August 29, 2021

5. Dedication Stone Marker

Dedicated to our pioneer fathers and mothers who climbed the hills and saw a vision beautiful built they here their homes and by labor gained contentment
-erected 1936

Credits. This page was last revised on January 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2021. This page has been viewed 426 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2021. 3. submitted on January 5, 2025. 4, 5. submitted on August 31, 2021. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.