On Dunham Street 0.2 miles south of Main Street East, on the left when traveling south.
This glacial granite boulder will far outlast all memory of man, I humbly ask of it to be the keeper of my message:
"Thanks for the miracle of life"
I dedicate this in memory of my grandparents, Jefferson and Mary Jane Hand . . . — — Map (db m180806) HM
Notice the top wire of fence is made of an unusual old wire type. There was a great demand for barbed wire because the west was being rapidly settled and this was a way to control cattle and identify private property. In order to circumvent the . . . — — Map (db m263127) HM
The large tree in the draw started growing in 1717 according to a sample taken by a State Forester, which makes it over 289 years old. The United States didn't become a country until 1776. There is one oak tree in the park that is nearly 400 years . . . — — Map (db m263126) HM
On West Main Street east of Dakota Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
The Wessington Springs Carnegie Library, built in 1917 at a cost of $7,000 is the last of 25 South Dakota public libraries financed by steel magnate Andrew Carnegie through the Carnegie Library Building Program. Since its formal opening on February . . . — — Map (db m180762) HM
Indians were drawn to this area for protection, abundant water and wildlife. The park area was once known as a neutral ground where different tribes and fur traders could come in peace to trade their goods. The city's name came from the Natural . . . — — Map (db m263135) HM
Near Dunham Street west of Cemetery Road, on the right when traveling south.
Cleveland T. Hall is credited by records of historical societies and of the U.S. Department of the Army with carrying the message which saved our nation's capital at the only time it has been seriously threatened by an invasion of enemy forces. . . . — — Map (db m180766) HM
Near State Highway 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west.
Wessington Springs is home to our state's 7th Governor who served from 1909-1913. He came to Jerauld County as one of the early pioneers, starting in the sheep business before entering banking and real estate. Robert & Florence Vessey built their . . . — — Map (db m180809) HM
Near State Highway 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west.
Up here out of the draw the wind blows harder and the sun is hotter. This makes it drier. These climatic factors produce a grassland instead of a forest. The predominant grass in this area is smooth brome. Native Americans often used wild plants for . . . — — Map (db m263132) HM
Near State Highway 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west.
Remnants of this historic trail can be seen just south of Hwy 34 along the ridge. In 1857 Nobles Trail was built by Col. W.H. Nobles, from Mendota (the mouth of the Minnesota) via Fort Ridgley to the Missouri River. It was to be a wagon road from . . . — — Map (db m180810) HM
Anton Reindl, a stone mason who immigrated to Jerauld County with his wife from Austria, was hired to construct a bridge across the creek. The bridge is an arch supported by its own weight & was completed in 1895, over 111 years ago. The old willow . . . — — Map (db m263128) HM
Man has many effects on the environment. Some are detrimental. The grass in this area is smooth brome. Brome was introduced from Europe in the early days of settlement. Brome has spread and replaced native species of herbs and grasses. A solid stand . . . — — Map (db m263121) HM
On Dakota Avenue South at 1st Street SW, on the right when traveling north on Dakota Avenue South.
This courthouse was built in 1930 at a cost of $120,000. It had an unusual design for a courthouse at that time, being Modern American instead of Classical. The exterior is brick, trimmed with Bedford Stone. The interior has terrazzo floors, . . . — — Map (db m124590) HM
Near Alene Avenue South south of 1st Street Southwest.
In the year 1934, this hill was designated as Legion Hill to honor the veterans of World War I. In this year of 2007, this plaque is being placed on Legion Hill to honor these veterans and all men and women from all branches of service, including . . . — — Map (db m180756) HM WM
On 1st Street Southwest 0.1 miles south of West Main Street, on the left when traveling west.
In 1934 this hill was designated as Legion Hill to honor the veterans of World War I with a stone monument still in its original location at the top of the hill. In 2007 a plaque was placed on the monument to honor these WWI veterans and all men and . . . — — Map (db m180807) HM
On 2nd Street Southwest 0.1 miles east of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west.
The Field House was built by the W.P.A. in 1936. The government formed the W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) to create jobs during the Great Depression. Native stone was hauled from local fields to keep the costs down. The building features a . . . — — Map (db m180706) HM
On 2nd Street Southwest 0.1 miles west of Dakota Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
The area within about a 5 mile radius of this site was considered a neutral area by all Indians. French traders set up a trading post every fall near the big spring. There was no fighting; competing tribes camped side-by-side. However, it is fairly . . . — — Map (db m180747) HM
On 2nd Street Southwest 0.1 miles west of Dakota Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
This marks a camp-site of Dakota's first highway 1857, known as Noble's Trail, from Ft. Ridgley, Minn., to the Missouri River.
Also marks the site of Levi Hain's log cabin, erected 1876. — — Map (db m180749) HM
As you make your way up the trail, imagine yourself as one of the early settlers in the late 1870's following the original wagon route. The Old Grade served as the main road to and from Wessington Springs for many years until the present Highway 34 . . . — — Map (db m263124) HM
Near State Highway 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South, on the right when traveling west.
Native Americans utilized the many plants along the Old Grade for food and medicine. Early white inhabitants also took advantage of the many fruits and plants that grow here including gooseberries, chokecherries, plums, wild grapes, wild . . . — — Map (db m263129) HM
On South Dakota Route 34 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South.
Robert S. Vessey was born near Oshkosh, Wisconsin, May 16, 1858. His father was a minister-farmer with a family of 15 children. He attended common school, but dropped out at an early age to work and assist in the support of his father’s family. He . . . — — Map (db m180805) HM
On 228th Street (South Dakota Route 34) 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South.
A.J. Gebhart designed and built the ski lift assisted by Lloyd Marken. The electric powered apparatus was installed in February of 1956 and kept a 1,200 foot circle of rope rotating to safely pull sled, ski, toboggan, or scoop shovel users back to . . . — — Map (db m113045) HM
On 6th St N 0.1 miles north of 4th St. NW, on the left when traveling north.
Shakespeare Garden
Modeled after Shakespeare Garden near Stratford-upon-Avon, England over 150 varieties of flowers, trees and shrubs. Only garden of its kind in South Dakota.
Ann Hathaway Cottage
This home was styled . . . — — Map (db m113051) HM
On Dakota Avenue South at 1st Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Dakota Avenue South.
Paul Pawlowski
Played for the "OWLS" in 1948
As a "pick up" player in the State Tournament
Played amateur baseball from 1934 to 1952
Competed in 6 amateur baseball State Tournaments
Inducted in the SD Hall of Fame in 2002
Lyle . . . — — Map (db m263203) HM
In 1916 Foster Stratton erected a two-story brick building on this site. It held a garage and machine shop on the lower level, with a photography studio and living quarters on the second floor. When the building was razed in 1989, the Stratton . . . — — Map (db m113050) HM
Near Dakota Avenue South at 4th Street Southeast, on the right when traveling south.
Smooth Sumac shrubs are very prominent here near the ski area and in the hills and gulches nearby. Their great numbers help to stabilize the soil preventing erosion and landslides. As a forest moves up the hillside, one of the first plants you see . . . — — Map (db m263134) HM
The Shakespeare Garden, founded 1927, was planned and developed by Clark W. and Emma Freeland Shay and is maintained as a memorial to them. Together they served the Wessington Springs College as instructors and advisors for a total of 83 . . . — — Map (db m113052) HM
Near College Avenue South south of 1st Street Southwest, on the left when traveling south.
This indention in the ground is the site of the first home in Jerauld County. Levi Hain and his wife, Maribee began with a sod house in 1876 and soon after built a log cabin. They sold their home and land to Rev. A.B. Smart in 1880 and the cabin . . . — — Map (db m180704) HM
Near 228th Street (South Dakota Route 34) 0.3 miles west of Dakota Avenue South.
Wood and water were essential to pioneer road builders and in 1857, when the Fort Ridgely & South Pass Wagon Road was built by Col. W.H. Nobles, the springs at Wessington Hills was a natural on the Reconnaissance to the Missouri River. On the . . . — — Map (db m180808) HM
On College Avenue South 0.2 miles south of West Main Street, on the right when traveling south.
Springs that flow into the park along with an old legend about a trapper named Wessington is how Wessington Springs got its name. Legend has it that Wessington was burned by the Indians while tied to a tree in what is now the city park. Our First . . . — — Map (db m180753) HM
On Burrett St SE at Wallace Ave S on Burrett St SE.
(Main Memorial)
This memorial is dedicated to those men and women who served our country in times of war and peace and especially to those who gave their lives in that service.
(World War I Stone)
In Commemoration of the Patriotism of our . . . — — Map (db m113054) WM
