Valley Springs in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Town of Valley Springs

September 5, 2021

1. The Town of Valley Springs Marker

Inscription.

The Town of Valley Springs. . Pasque-crowned, green-kirtled Spring with a promise Met our people that April day As their oxen stopped their weary plodding At a stream they could trace on their claim's survey. . -Adeline M. Jenney, Adeline Jenney, Second Poet Laureate of South Dakota and longtime Valley Springs resident, wrote "They Were Able" to honor the memory of the New England and Scandinavian immigrants who followed schooner trails into this favorable Minnesota Territory valley from 1868 to 1873. This area was officially opened for settlement by the Homestead Act of 1862 and adventurous pioneers traveled the stage road (now Cliff Avenue) into town. At that time, two stage coach routes crossed near the east side of present day Cassidy Park. The unpopulated area was attractive to settlers because of the many underground springs that supplied Beaver Creek. Valley Springs derived its name from the springs that were located in the valley. Before suitable timber was available, initial construction consisted of dugout homes and the first commercial building served as a store and lodging for travellers. Eventually, lumber was hauled from Sibley, IA on a crudely marked freight trail., Jonathan Dunham, known as the "Father of Valley Springs," made application for the post office in 1873, and initiated the town's incorporation in 1878. Private homes acted as schools and churches until 1878 when a school building and church were erected. This same year saw the arrival of the first passenger train in Dakota Territory from the East. With the introduction of the railroad, the town's "Boom Years" began. Four hotels were built and two newspapers were published. A newly organized fire department offered the town and the surrounding area protection from deadly prairie fires. The "Air Dome", a uniquely constructed dance hall, was a social gathering spot. For ventilation, the sides of the dome were raised., In the late 1800's, Valley Springs was the area's largest grain and livestock shipping point. Rich, fertile land helped agriculture to flourish. The town's major industry was the Valley Springs Roller Mill Co., a four story plant with an output of 200 barrels of flour per day. The mill, first in the county to be run by steam, shipped four brands of flour to the East and overseas daily., With the introduction of the automobile and the loss of passenger trains to the area, industry declined. Valley Springs remains a quiet and friendly residential community with a rich history.

Pasque-crowned, green-kirtled Spring with a promise
Met our people that April day
As their oxen stopped their weary plodding
At a stream they could trace on their claim's survey.

-Adeline M. Jenney

Adeline Jenney, Second Poet Laureate of South Dakota and longtime Valley Springs resident, wrote "They Were Able" to honor the memory of the New England and Scandinavian immigrants who followed schooner trails into this favorable Minnesota Territory valley from 1868 to 1873. This area was officially opened for settlement by the Homestead Act of 1862 and adventurous pioneers traveled the stage road (now Cliff Avenue) into town. At that time, two stage coach routes crossed near the east side of present day Cassidy Park. The unpopulated area was attractive to settlers because of the many underground springs that supplied Beaver Creek. Valley Springs derived its name from the springs that were located in the valley. Before suitable timber was available, initial construction consisted of dugout homes and the first commercial building served as a store and lodging for travellers. Eventually, lumber was hauled from Sibley, IA on a crudely marked freight trail.

Jonathan Dunham, known as the "Father of Valley Springs," made application for the post office in 1873, and initiated the

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town's incorporation in 1878. Private homes acted as schools and churches until 1878 when a school building and church were erected. This same year saw the arrival of the first passenger train in Dakota Territory from the East. With the introduction of the railroad, the town's "Boom Years" began. Four hotels were built and two newspapers were published. A newly organized fire department offered the town and the surrounding area protection from deadly prairie fires. The "Air Dome", a uniquely constructed dance hall, was a social gathering spot. For ventilation, the sides of the dome were raised.

In the late 1800's, Valley Springs was the area's largest grain and livestock shipping point. Rich, fertile land helped agriculture to flourish. The town's major industry was the Valley Springs Roller Mill Co., a four story plant with an output of 200 barrels of flour per day. The mill, first in the county to be run by steam, shipped four brands of flour to the East and overseas daily.

With the introduction of the automobile and the loss of passenger trains to the area, industry declined. Valley Springs remains a quiet and friendly residential community with a rich history.

Erected 1994 by the citizens of Valley Springs, the SD State Historical Society, Mary Chilton Chapter DAR and Lutheran Brotherhood Branch No. 8607. (Marker

September 5, 2021

2. The Town of Valley Springs Marker

Number 541.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution, and the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1862.

Location. 43° 35.312′ N, 96° 28.35′ W. Marker is in Valley Springs, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker is at the intersection of Aspen Boulevard (County Road 138) and 487th Avenue, on the right when traveling west on Aspen Boulevard. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Valley Springs SD 57068, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Valley Springs (approx. half a mile away); Purple Heart Memorial Highway (approx. 1.6 miles away); Minnehaha County (approx. 1.6 miles away); Valley Springs Rest Area (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Samuelsons and their Cabin (approx. 4.3 miles away); The Samuelson Family Dakota Pioneers / A Pioneer Cabin (approx. 4.3 miles away); Nels Nelson Graff Cabin (approx. 4.7 miles away); Fur Trapper Ambush (approx. 4.8 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Valley Springs.

The Town of Valley Springs Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

September 5, 2021

3. The Town of Valley Springs Marker, from the east

The Town of Valley Springs Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

September 5, 2021

4. The Town of Valley Springs Marker, from the west

Credits. This page was last revised on September 9, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 8, 2021. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 85 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 8, 2021. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.