De Smet in Kingsbury County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

John Owen's Law Office

October 24, 2022

1. John Owen's Law Office Marker

Inscription. Only the pioneers could recall the building that stood at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Third Street. The building dates back to 1880, the first year the town was settled. John A. Owen, pioneer attorney, constructed the building.

John Owen was born in Middletown, Connecticut, and spent his boyhood on a farm in Wisconsin. Owen married Maria Willett in Michigan. He practiced law in Chicago until 1880, then he moved to Kingsbury County, South Dakota. Owen helped the village of De Smet adopt a prohibition government and offered his legal service free in forcing the liquor seller to retire. He was also active in getting Dakota Territory divided and admitted into the union as two states.

In June of 1954, the wood structure was replaced with a new brick building erected by Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. Century Link uses it as a telephone building today.

When Laura returned to school after teaching at the Brewster settlement she feared she would be behind in her studies. A class assignment was to write a composition. Mr. Owen awarded Laura the highest grade of 100. V.S.L. Owen was a brother to John Owen and was Laura's teacher in These Happy Golden Years.

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This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 44° 23.107′ N, 97° 32.955′ W. Marker is in De Smet, South Dakota, in Kingsbury County. It is at the intersection of Calumet Avenue Southeast and 3rd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north on Calumet Avenue Southeast. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 228 Calumet Ave SE, De Smet SD 57231, 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 walking distance of this marker: Kingsbury County Bank (within shouting distance of this marker); Owen Shoe Shop (within shouting distance of this marker);

October 24, 2022

2. John Owen's Law Office Marker

Power Tailor Shop (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Loftus Store (about 300 feet away); Bradley Drugstore (about 300 feet away); Waters Land & Loan Company (about 400 feet away); Couse Hardware (about 400 feet away); Clancy's Store (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in De Smet.

1954 Brick Building image. Click for full size.

October 24, 2022

3. 1954 Brick Building

Credits. This page was last revised on November 8, 2022. It was originally submitted on November 7, 2022. This page has been viewed 347 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on November 7, 2022.