Garretson in Minnehaha County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Festival of Progress
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 31, 2019
1. Festival of Progress Marker
Side 1
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) granted a $410,000 relief loan to South Dakota in 1932, the third year of the Great Depression, Garretson became one of five towns in the county allotted funds.
Its City Council then proposed to give work to 47 unemployed men by building a dam "across Split Rock River." RFC funds were to be used for wages with SD Fish & Game to provide materials. Men were not paid in cash, only in orders for food and clothing from local merchants.
In 1935 Works Progress Administration (WPA) replaced the RFC. It approved Council's plans
Side 2
to build a stone bath house, add four feet in height to the dam, prepare a beach, and build a "bridge across Gulch stream."
Garretson celebrated the completion of its new civic projects during a three-day "Festival of Progress" that began July 16, 1936. On opening day almost 7000 persons attended while five high school bands gave concerts. New improvements formally dedicated were Split Rock Park, including the dam and bath house, the stone fishing bridge, and a municipal airport. The woman who submitted the name chosen for the new park was awarded $5.
Erected 2011 by the City of Garretson, the Garretson Historical Society, and the Minnehaha County
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 16, 1936.
Location. 43° 43.299′ N, 96° 30.086′ W. Marker is in Garretson, South Dakota, in Minnehaha County. Marker is on Park Road. Marker is located in Split Rock Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Garretson SD 57030, 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. Garretson (approx. ¼ mile away); The Legend of Jesse James (approx. ¼ mile away); 1908 Palisades Bridge (approx. 2.4 miles away); Village of Palisades (approx. 2½ miles away); Palisades State Park (approx. 2.6 miles away); Norway Lutheran Church (approx. 4½ miles away); Eleven Original Pioneer Families (approx. 4½ miles away); a different marker also named Norway Lutheran Church (approx. 4½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Garretson.
Additional keywords. Works Progress Administration
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 31, 2019
2. Festival of Progress Marker
Photographed By Ruth VanSteenwyk, August 31, 2019
3. Festival of Progress Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on December 27, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 196 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on December 25, 2021. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 10, 2019, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.
