Mitchell in Davison County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Celia Kelley's Pines
August 8, 2024
1. Celia Kelley's Pines Marker
In 1932 Celia Kelley was instrumental in establishing the forest that stands before you. She was determined to improve the land around the newly established Lake Mitchell, the reservoir built in 1928. She recruited friends, the Hitchcocks and Kibbees, to obtain many types of trees and plant them around the lake and in the city parks. It was labor intensive, using picks and shovels to plant the trees. Water was hauled by the bucket from Lake Mitchell.
Celia Kelley was the first woman elected to the City Park Board and also the 1st mother elected to the state legislature of South Dakota. She died in 1934, never enjoying the beauty of the many trees that she, her husband Pat and others planted for future generations.
In 2010 the Mitchell citizens voted to permanently preserve this nine-acre forest for you and for future generations. Ponderosa Pines, the main feature of this forest, can live for hundreds of years.
"The true meaning of life is to plant trees, under whose shade you do not expect to sit."cityofmitchell.org
Nelson Henderson
Erected by Mitchell Parks and Recreation.
Topics. This historical
this page online
Location. 43° 45.601′ N, 98° 2.644′ W. Marker is in Mitchell, South Dakota, in Davison County. It is on National Guard Road east of North Harmon Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mitchell SD 57301, 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 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 Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Carl Gunderson: (approx. 3.2 miles away); Oscar Howe & Marilyn Wounded Head (approx. 3.3 miles away); The Corn Palace (approx. 3.3 miles away); Davison County, South Dakota, Veterans Memorial
August 8, 2024
2. Celia Kelley's Pines Marker
August 8, 2024
3. Celia Kelley Pines Trail Loop
Credits. This page was last revised on July 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 11, 2024. This page has been viewed 380 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 11, 2024.
