Bristol in Day County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Bristol

1881

May 7, 2022

1. Bristol Marker

Inscription. Indians from the Lake Region now Northeastern South Dakota visited this area frequently in the early 1800's and white traders also traveled this way while buying furs. The government survey party of Horace J. Austin arrived June 21, 1879, and began work. On October 15, 1880, the Hastings & Dakota Division of the Milwaukee Railroad reached Siding No. 70 near this site. The Railway Townsite Company laid out a townsite and C. P. Prior, townsite agent, named it for Bristol, England. The first building was a hotel built by R. P. Brokaw to serve railroad workers. When the railroad crews moved on westward, Brokaw remained and was joined in 1882 by a small band of people who established homes and formed the nucleus of the new town. F. W. Lowell was first postmaster 4 October 1881. The first general store was erected by Matt Evans in 1882 and the first school with Kate Northrup as teacher for a salary of $25 per month and board, was built in 1883. Bristol was incorporated as a village in 1889 and as a city in 1921. Located near the western edge of the Coteau Hills, it has an altitude of 1775 feet. It is surrounded by a fertile farming

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country and is the third largest city of Day County.

Erected 1959 by Henry F. Hansmeier and the State Highway Commission. (Marker Number 276.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is June 21, 1879.

Location. 45° 20.846′ N, 97° 44.979′ W. Marker is in Bristol, South Dakota, in Day County. It is on Railroad Avenue East just east of Main Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 77 Main St, Bristol SD 57219, 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.

Bristol Marker, from the east image. Click for full size.

May 7, 2022

2. Bristol Marker, from the east

Other nearby markers. At least 2 other markers are within 12 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Bristol Mural (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles H. Sheldon (approx. 11½ miles away).

Bristol Marker, from the west image. Click for full size.

May 7, 2022

3. Bristol Marker, from the west

Looking south down Main Street in Bristol image. Click for full size.

May 7, 2022

4. Looking south down Main Street in Bristol

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on May 11, 2022. This page has been viewed 650 times since then and 63 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 11, 2022. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.