Sioux Township near Larchwood in Lyon County, Iowa — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Berdahl-Rölvaag House

January 11, 2026

1. Berdahl-Rölvaag House Marker

Inscription. In 1873 pioneers Andrew and Karen Berdahl came to Minnehaha County, Dakota Territory, in a train of 11 oxen-drawn covered wagons. They homesteaded 10 miles southwest of present-day Garretson near Slip-Up Creek and for 11 years lived in two different sod homes. In 1884 a two-bedroom wooden frame structure was attached to the sod house. Two more frame additions replaced the "soddie" by 1896 and enlarged the house to its present appearance.

The Berdahl's son James attended Augustana Academy in Canton and often brought fellow student Ole Edvart Rölvaag home during vacations. Here Ole heard stories of pioneer life that provided ideas for his future novels. In time Ole courted James' younger sister, Jennie. She and Ole married in 1908 and spent their honeymoon here.

Rölvaag went on to become a famous novelist. His trilogy, Giants in the Earth, Peder Victorious, and Their Fathers' God, vividly describes the struggles of the men and women who settled the Northern Plains.

The Berdahl-Rölvaag House was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979.

Erected 2001 by the Nordland Heritage Foundation of Augustana

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College and the Minnehaha County Historical Society.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1873.

Location. 43° 28.131′ N, 96° 33.488′ W. Marker is near Larchwood, Iowa, in Lyon County. It is in Sioux Township. It is on Jim Johannsen Road south of 125th Street (County Road K10), on the left when traveling south. Located on the Threshing Bee Grounds in Granite. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1140 125th St, Larchwood IA 51241, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Western Iowa. It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured

January 11, 2026

2. Berdahl-Rölvaag House Marker

as the crow flies: Community of Granite (within shouting distance of this marker); Blood Run National Historic Landmark (approx. 0.4 miles away); Looking Into the Past (approx. 1.6 miles away in South Dakota); A Landscape Shaped by Glaciers (approx. 1.6 miles away in South Dakota); A Trading Center (approx. 1.6 miles away in South Dakota); New Arrivals (approx. 1.8 miles away in South Dakota); Bow Hunting (approx. 1.8 miles away in South Dakota); Sacred Images (approx. 1.9 miles away in South Dakota). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Larchwood.

More about this marker. In 2022, the house & marker were relocated from Augustana University's Heritage Park in Sioux Falls (43° 31.258′ N, 96° 44.358′ W) to clear the area for the new Midco Hockey Arena.

Also see . . .
1. Heritage Park | Augustana University. (Submitted on January 31, 2026.)
2. Historic Heritage Park structures find new homes, return to long-ago uses - Pigeon605. (Submitted on January 31, 2026.)
3. South Dakota SP Berdahl-Rolvaag House | National Archives Catalog. National Register of Historic Places Inventory -- Nomination

January 11, 2026

3. Berdahl-Rölvaag House & Marker

Form (1978). (Submitted on January 31, 2026.)

Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the west image. Click for full size.

January 11, 2026

4. Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the west

Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the northwest image. Click for full size.

January 11, 2026

5. Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the northwest

Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the southeast image. Click for full size.

January 11, 2026

6. Berdahl-Rölvaag House, from the southeast

January 11, 2026

7. NRHP Plaque

Berdahl-Rølvaag House 1883
has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2026. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2026. This page has been viewed 57 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on January 31, 2026.