Huron in Beadle County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

"The Evolution of Medicine"

September 5, 2025

1. "The Evolution of Medicine" Marker

Inscription. The history of medical care in Huron mirrors the evolution of medicine as a profession. In the late 1800's, Dr. J.W. Primm employed Ernest Sutton to sit on the legs of patients to keep them still during surgery. Dr. Frieda VanDalsem made house calls on horseback, using railroad tracks and a compass as guides. From the Sprague to St. John's, which was administered by Franciscan Sisters, through to today's Huron Regional Medical Center, health care in Huron has kept pace with technological advances. What was state of the art in the 1800's is now unimaginable.

Artist: Paul Guivens

Sponsor: Virginia Lardinois

September 2002

Erected 2002.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Science & Medicine.

Location. 44° 21.782′ N, 98° 12.756′ W. Marker is in Huron, South Dakota, in Beadle County. It is on Kansas Avenue south of 3rd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 88 3rd St SE, Huron SD 57350, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally,

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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 Rupert’s Land

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Downtown Saturday Night (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Grace Episcopal Church aka "The Centennial Center" (about 400 feet away); Welcome to Legacy Park Garden! (about 700 feet away); Dr. Paul H. Hohm (about 700 feet away); Dr. Howard L. Saylor, Jr. (about 700 feet away); Dr. Jeffrey S. Wheeler (about 800 feet away); "The Great Race" (about 800 feet away); Dr. Karl J. Blessinger (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Huron.

Also see . . . Delivering Care to Huron for 75 Years | Huron Regional Medical Center. (Submitted on September 7, 2025.)

"The Evolution of Medicine" Mural & Marker image. Click for full size.

September 5, 2025

2. "The Evolution of Medicine" Mural & Marker

"The Evolution of Medicine" Mural image. Click for full size.

September 5, 2025

3. "The Evolution of Medicine" Mural

September 5, 2025

4. "The Evolution of Medicine" Mural

September 5, 2025

5. "The Evolution of Medicine" Mural

Credits. This page was last revised on September 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2025. This page has been viewed 118 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 7, 2025.