Webster in Day County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Webster
County Seat of Day County
Founded in 1881 and named for J.P. Webster who homesteaded the townsite. Railroad supply point for Fort Sisseton (Fort Wadsworth) frontier outpost established 20 miles north in 1864. Gateway to Northeastern South Dakota Lake Region whose abundance of game led the Sisseton-Wahpeton Sioux to settle here and attracted hunters and fur traders from afar in the pre-settlement era.
Once nicknamed "The Buffalo Republic", a thriving community today occupies the site where vast herds of shaggy bison roamed and Indian trails zig-zagged their way from the Lakes to the Mighty Missouri. Indian mounds still yield artifacts of the Red Man and the ruts of the Stage Coach are still visible on the Prairies.
A region of diversified farming, extensive dairying, livestock growing and modern farmsteads. Fine homes, schools and churches have replaced the sod shanties of the early pioneers and power machinery has displace the ox team of the last century Home of the Day County Hospital, the Prairie States Saline Water Conversion Plant, the Bethesda Nursing Home, the Lake Region Electric Association and the Day County Museum.
Erected 1961 by State of South Dakota. (Marker Number 326.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Native Americans • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the South Dakota State Historical Society Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1881.
Location. 45° 20.478′ N, 97° 32.139′ W. Marker is in Webster, South Dakota, in Day County. Marker is on U.S. 12, ¼ mile W. 7th Street, on the right when traveling west. This marker is located outside the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry, Webster, South Dakota. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 760 W Hwy 12, Webster SD 57274, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Sigurd Anderson (a few steps from this marker); WWII Plane Crash Holds Memories (a few steps from this marker); The Fight at Webster (within shouting distance of this marker); Edgar S. McFadden (within shouting distance of this marker); "Lest We Forget" (approx. 0.9 miles away); Honoring All Who Served (approx. 2.4 miles away); Pioneering in Dakota (approx. 8.1 miles away); Roslyn Auditorium (approx. 11 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Webster.
Also see . . . Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry. Museum website homepage (Submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota.)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 459 times since then and 62 times this year. Last updated on August 21, 2021, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 9, 2015, by Ruth VanSteenwyk of Aberdeen, South Dakota. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.