Near Bruce in Brookings County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, July 14, 2024

1. Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker

Inscription. Originally from Holland Michigan, Hessel and Charlotte Houtman married in Brookings in 1925 and farmed in various communities in Brookings County. Prior to the formation of Oakwood Lakes State Park, the Houtman family rented this land from the 1930s to early 1940s from the Prudential Life Insurance Company. Over the years, they farmed corn and oats as crops and raised cattle, hogs, horses and chickens. On September 7, 1945, Hessel and Charlotte Houtman purchased the farm from Prudential. For over fifteen years, the Houtmans farmed the land and taught their seven children a passion and love for the land. Soon after their purchase, the State of South Dakota's Game and Fish Commission acquired their land on May 11, 1946, through a negotiated sale of $65.00 an acre to create a state park. Back then, the family would have preferred retaining the farm. Now, Hessel and Charlotte's descendants are thankful for Oakwood Lakes State Park as it provides a place for generations to meet for an annual family reunion since 1981. The Houtman Silo is the only extant structure of the historical farm and signifies the family's past experiences

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and shared stewardship of the land.

Erected 2024 by The Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family. (Marker Number SD-665.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Parks & Recreational Areas • 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 May 11, 1946.

Location. 44° 26.225′ N, 96° 59.085′ W. Marker is near Bruce, South Dakota, in Brookings County. It is on Oakwood Shoreline Drive one mile north of 204th Street (County Road 6), on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bruce SD 57220, 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

Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker Reverse image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, July 14, 2024

2. Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker Reverse

least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: What is this earthen wall? (approx. 0.4 miles away); Oakwood Lakes State Park (approx. 0.4 miles away); Sutton Home Site (approx. 0.6 miles away); Milkweed (approx. 0.9 miles away); Oakwood Lakes Burial Mounds (approx. 0.9 miles away); Ash, Ponderosa Pine (approx. 0.9 miles away); Bur Oak (approx. one mile away); Significant Site (approx. one mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bruce.

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, July 14, 2024

3. Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, February 20, 2024

4. Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker

Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker, reverse side image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, February 20, 2024

5. Hessel and Charlotte Houtman Family Farm Marker, reverse side

A map showing the locations of the farm structures from the recollections of Hessel and Charlotte's children.

Houtman Silo aerial view looking north towards Oakwood Lakes State Park image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Nels Ferrin, November 4, 2023

6. Houtman Silo aerial view looking north towards Oakwood Lakes State Park

Charlotte Houtman image. Click for full size.

1947

7. Charlotte Houtman

Hessel Houtman image. Click for full size.

1946

8. Hessel Houtman

Credits. This page was last revised on December 26, 2024. It was originally submitted on February 19, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,231 times since then and 70 times this year. Last updated on September 5, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 15, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. 4. submitted on February 19, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. 5, 6. submitted on February 20, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. 7. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Nels Ferrin of Volga, SD, South Dakota. 8. submitted on July 16, 2024. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.