Farmer in Hanson County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

St. Peter's Grotto,

Farmer, South Dakota

January 24, 2026

1. St. Peter's Grotto Marker

Inscription. has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior November 26, 2001

This grotto was designed and constructed in the period from 1926 to 1933 by Father Scheier, to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Scheier made many trips to the Black Hills to select and purchase the special rocks he desired. Why he chose the Byzantine style of architecture is not known. The grotto became the spiritual focus of St. Peter's Parish until the grade school was closed in 1959 and removed. The grotto was left unattended until its restoration in 2001.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Arts, Letters, Music • Religion & Religious Structures. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1926.

Location. 43° 43.625′ N, 97° 41.242′ W. Marker is in Farmer, South Dakota, in Hanson County. It is on 3rd Street east of Joe Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 24245 Joe St, Alexandria SD 57311, 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 Lewis & Clark Corridor,

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 6 other markers are within 16 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Spencer Tornado Memorial (approx. 4.7 miles away);

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Roll of Honor (approx. 4.7 miles away); Hanson County, South Dakota, Veterans Memorial (approx. 6.7 miles away); Town of Epiphany (approx. 8½ miles away); Bridgewater Cemetery Veterans Memorial (approx. 15 miles away); Bridgewater (approx. 15.4 miles away).

Also see . . . South Dakota SP Saint Peter's Grotto | National Archives Catalog. National Register of Historic Places Registration Form (2001).

Excerpt from the Statement of Significance:
"The first Catholic Church in Farmer was constructed in 1892. By 1909, a Catholic Boarding School opened on the northern edge of town. Father Scheier was assigned to St. Peter’s in Farmer in 1918 and remained there until 1938. He was born and raised in Salem, approximately 15 miles east of Farmer. He was exposed to the construction trade as a boy and became comfortable with the materials which he used to express his creativity. During his seminary training he was exposed to various sites and gained inspiration. One of these ideas was expressed in the form of the Farmer Grotto on the grounds of St. Peter’s. He started construction in 1926 and completed the project in 1933. According to Father Scheier, he used 125 sacks of cement, 20 tons
January 24, 2026

2. St. Peter's Grotto & Marker, from the west
Lower left of arch is carved "1927"
Lower right of arch is carved "1932"
of sand, 64 tons of rock gathered locally, 3 tons of decorative rocks and 4.5 tons of brick."

(Submitted on February 9, 2026.)

St. Peter's Grotto, from the north image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

3. St. Peter's Grotto, from the north

St. Peter's Grotto, from the southeast image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

4. St. Peter's Grotto, from the southeast

St. Peter's Grotto, Interior East Wall image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

5. St. Peter's Grotto, Interior East Wall

St. Peter's Grotto, Interior North Wall image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

6. St. Peter's Grotto, Interior North Wall

St. Peter's Grotto, Interior South Wall image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

7. St. Peter's Grotto, Interior South Wall

St. Peter's Grotto, Southeast Ceiling image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

8. St. Peter's Grotto, Southeast Ceiling

St. Peter's Grotto, Northwest Ceiling image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

9. St. Peter's Grotto, Northwest Ceiling

The Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue image. Click for full size.

January 24, 2026

10. The Sacred Heart of Jesus Statue

Inscription: The statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus was presented to St. Peter's Parish in 1919 by Andrew & Gertrude Fritschen. They were German immigrants who settled in Springlake Township in 1881. They gave the statue to the parish in Thanksgiving for the safe return of their son John from World War I.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 9, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 9, 2026. This page has been viewed 73 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on February 9, 2026.