On U.S. 81 at East Birch Street, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 81.
Home of roving Indians until 1862. The exploring party of Nicollet, scientist, and Fremont, ‘Pathfinder of the West,’ visited Oakwood Lakes July 1838, leaving the first reliable record.
The region East of the Big Sioux was ceded by the Santee . . . — — Map (db m179692) HM
On U.S. 81 at East Birch Street, on the right when traveling south on U.S. 81.
A region of buffaloes and Indians until 1870s. Indian mounds are found at Spirit Lake. In 1838 the Nicollett-Fremont party skirted the NE corner. In 1857 Inkapaduta’s renegade Indians passed through with two white women captives, victims of the . . . — — Map (db m179691) HM
Near Olivet Avenue Southeast south of 1st Street, on the left when traveling north.
This prairie schooner is a typical wagon that pioneers would have used in the late 1800s. It was a "barn find" in Iowa and was restored by the Hansen Wheel and Wagon Shop in Letcher, SD. Based on the wagon's wear and tear, it was most likely only . . . — — Map (db m209688) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast south of 2nd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
Next to Fuller's Hardware was Bradley's Drugstore, run by young George Bradley and his wife, Hattie. Charles Ingalls would often step across the street to exchange stories of the day, tell jokes and maybe play a game of checkers.
George . . . — — Map (db m209679) HM
Near Olivet Avenue Southeast south of 1st Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The Brewster School, also known as the Bouchie School, was located about twelve miles southwest of De Smet in an abandoned claim shanty. The shanty had thickness boards with no battens, so snow would blow through. There were six seats with a desk, a . . . — — Map (db m209687) HM
Near Homestead Road at 208th Street, on the left when traveling south.
This is the homestead site of Charles and Caroline Ingalls
and their daughters Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace
In four of her Little House series of stories of pioneering by the Ingalls and Wilder families, Laura Ingalls Wilder, . . . — — Map (db m209488) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast north of 2nd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north.
As Laura sat sewing, she looked out across Main Street at the Mead Hotel, Wilder Feed Store and Harthorn's Grocery. Clancy's store was across the street in the middle of the northeast side of Main Street.
A census of 1880 does not mention Mr. . . . — — Map (db m209684) HM
On Calumet Avenue SE at 2nd Street SW, on the right when traveling south on Calumet Avenue SE.
Edward H. Couse purchased this lot and the original store building on it from Charles P. Ingalls. By 1885 Couse had succeeded well enough with his hardware business to expand his operation and replace his original wood framed building with a . . . — — Map (db m123916) HM
On U.S. 14 west of 434th Avenue, on the right when traveling west.
De Smet Forest Half mile South East of De Smet
De Smet Forest was established by the South Dakota Fish, Game and Parks Department in 1946 and is one of hundreds of small roadside parks now existent or planned along South Dakota highways. At . . . — — Map (db m123917) HM
On 3rd Street Southwest at Harvey Dunn Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east on 3rd Street Southwest.
As a lasting tribute to the memory of Father Pierre Jean De Smet of the Society of Jesus, who for over thirty years offered his life in the service of the Indian people traveling far beyond the Rocky Mountains and sharing with them his deep love of . . . — — Map (db m182757) HM
Near Olivet Avenue Southeast south of 1st Avenue, on the left when traveling north.
The first public school of De Smet was built in 1880 by the citizens. They not only furnished the materials but actually did the work. The school house was erected at the corner of Loftus Avenue and Second Street. In later years, it was moved to . . . — — Map (db m209686) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast at 3rd Street Southeast, on the right when traveling north on Calumet Avenue Southeast.
Only the pioneers could recall the building that stood at the corner of Calumet Avenue and Third Street. The building dates back to 1880, the first year the town was settled. John A. Owen, pioneer attorney, constructed the building.
John Owen . . . — — Map (db m209678) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast at 3rd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south on Calumet Avenue Southeast.
The Kingsbury County Bank, or Ruth Bank, was organized in 1880 by A. Ruth and Thomas Ruth. In December 1885 it was incorporated under the territorial laws with an authorized capital of $200,000.
Born on March 5, 1844 in Carmichael, . . . — — Map (db m209683) HM
Near Joliet Avenue SE north of 2nd Street SE, on the right when traveling north.
Kingsbury County was created and organized on February 2, 1880. It was named for George W. and T. A. Kingsbury, prominent brothers in territorial affairs.
De Smet was platted in 1880. On November 2, of that year, De Smet was chosen as the county . . . — — Map (db m123959) HM
On 208th Street at Homestead Road, on the left when traveling west on 208th Street.
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society is happy to welcome your interest in the "Little House" books.
Since 1957, our organization has been busy with the preservation of the Ingalls-Wilder sites and the hosting of Laura's readers. Join us . . . — — Map (db m182747) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast south of 2nd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
In the early years of De Smet this building served S.B. Owen as a shoe-making shop and residence for his family. Mrs. Owen was a tailor by trade and taught suit-making to at least one of her children, V.S.L. Owen. He was often mentioned in the files . . . — — Map (db m209682) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast south of 2nd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
Thomas P. Powers located his tailor shop in the building between the Loftus Store and Tinkham Furniture. In August of 1886, he sold his business and stock of clothing to Hamilton and Flaata. The following Tuesday night he started for Ireland, his . . . — — Map (db m209681) HM
On 437th Avenue at 209th Street, on the left when traveling south on 437th Avenue.
Erected
in memory of Christian pioneers
and founders of Lake Henry
community and Church
1878 — 1954
And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God's house–Gen. 28:22
whosoever thou art, enter on this ground with reverence . . . — — Map (db m209487) HM
On 4th Street Southwest east of Ingalls Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east.
Beginning in 1883, worship in homes of German immigrant settlers
Organized July 13, 1895
Founding Pastor J. Hansen
Pioneer Members
August Albrecht
Carl Albrecht
Ferdinand L. Albrecht
William Albrecht
Herman Eick
Karl . . . — — Map (db m182754) HM
On 4th Street Southwest east of Ingalls Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east.
Organized as Emmanuel in 1882
Reorganized as St. Paul
April 17, 1898
Located on present church site
O. I. Satre, Founding Pastor
Charter Members
O. I. Satre
Karel Dahl
B. Christopherson
C. Bergerson
P. A. Ranklev . . . — — Map (db m182752) HM
On 4th Street Southwest east of Ingalls Avenue Southwest, on the right when traveling east.
Originally Lake Thompson Ev. Lutheran
Organized March 30, 1882
6½ miles S.E. of DeSmet
O. I. Satre, Founding Pastor
Charter Members
John Ekse · Knudt Simonson
Ove Johnson · Ole Berqvan
O. S. Sorsdal · Iver Amundson
Iver . . . — — Map (db m182749) HM
On Olivet Avenue Southeast at 1st Street, on the left when traveling north on Olivet Avenue Southeast.
The Surveyors' House is the oldest building in De Smet, built a year before there was even a town. It was built around 1879 as a railroad company house. Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote in her Little House books of living in this home the first . . . — — Map (db m209685) HM
On Calumet Avenue Southeast south of 2nd Street Southwest, on the right when traveling south.
The original Loftus Store still stands today and was one of the first businesses on Main Street in 1880. Throughout his life as a merchant, Mr. Loftus carried the slogan "The Quality Store" and became known for the quality of goods on the shelves. . . . — — Map (db m209680) HM
On Calumet Avenue SE at 2nd Street SE, on the left when traveling south on Calumet Avenue SE.
The Kingsbury Abstract Company was formed in 1887, with J.C. Gibson, A.W. Miller, C.L. Dawley, Al Thomas and A.N. Waters as members. The company built this building in 1888-89.
Through the years the building has housed many offices, including . . . — — Map (db m123969) HM
On 433rd Avenue (U.S. 25) 0.2 miles south of 205th Street, on the right when traveling south.
On the low hill immediately west of this spot stood the homestead claim shanty of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mrs. Wilder (1867-1957) is known all over the world as the author of the "Little House" books, a series of autobiographical accounts . . . — — Map (db m182759) HM
Near 449th Avenue, 0.5 miles north of 212th Street, on the right when traveling north.
Plaque One:
These men of the Lake Whitewood Congregation
offered their lives in defense of humanity in the Great World War 1914-1918
United States Navy
Edwin Farness · Oscar Oanes
John Hetland · Edward . . . — — Map (db m238324) WM
On U.S. 14, 0.1 miles 428th Avenue, on the right when traveling east.
Born March 8, 1884, in homestead shanty 3 miles S. ½ mile E. to Thomas and Bersha Dunn, was one of three children. From rural school he entered State College, Brookings, in 1901 to study art under Ada B. Caldwell, of whom he wrote: "She took a . . . — — Map (db m179939) HM
On Kingsbury Ave., 0.1 miles north of U.S. 14, on the left when traveling north.
Harvy Dunn
Famed painter and illustrator Harvey Dunn was born on his parents' homestead just south of Manchester on March 8, 1884. He devoted his first 17 years to farm work, schooling, and drawing. By the age of 20, the young Dunn had studied . . . — — Map (db m118677) HM
On U.S. 14, 0.1 miles west of 428th Ave., on the right when traveling east.
Dakota Territory was created in 1861 and got its first big impetus in 1874 when gold was confirmed in the Black Hills by General Custer. A hundred years later on August 27, 1961, a gold rush was created by Joe Floyd’s KELO-LAND TV and Radio . . . — — Map (db m182765) HM
On Kingsbury Ave., 0.1 miles U.S. 14, on the left when traveling north.
Imagine a vast plain. Its fertile soil was covered with a blanket of grass and wildflowers swaying in rhythm to what seemed like an eternal wind. The silence of this infinite wilderness gave way to early pioneers who formed a community that . . . — — Map (db m118680) HM
On Kingsbury Ave., 0.1 miles north of U.S. 14, on the left when traveling north.
August 27, 1961. More than 150,000 people converged on a patch of land just south of Highway 14 for the Dakota Territory Centennial Goldrush. The event was reminiscent of a stampede caused by General George Custer when he announced that gold had . . . — — Map (db m118679) HM
On Kingsbury Ave., 0.1 miles north of U.S. 14, on the left when traveling north.
Just past suppertime, at about 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, June 24, 2003, the sky virtually fell on Manchester. A devastating F-4 category tornado with winds of more than 200 miles an hour came thundering in from the south. It hovered over the town, . . . — — Map (db m118672) HM
On Kingsbury Avenue, 0.1 miles north of 208th Street (U.S. 14), on the left when traveling north.
The Manchester town hall and town pump were two places where everyone gathered. This monument stands on the site of the town hall, which hosted spirited elections, meetings and dances, carnivals and basketball games. The town pump, located in the . . . — — Map (db m162693) HM
On U.S. 81 at 220th Street (County Road 10), on the left when traveling north on U.S. 81.
You are about to enter
Kingsbury County
A region of buffaloes and Indians until 1870s. Indian mounds are found at Spirit Lake. In 1838 the Nicollet-Fremont party skirted the NE corner. In 1857 Inkepaduta's renegade Indians passed through . . . — — Map (db m179687) HM
