The Dexter Cemetery was started by the early pioneers located in this area in 1899 on land donated by John and Eliza Drake. This was followed by the organization of the United Brethren Church in Christ in 1902 under the supervision of Rev. W.F. . . . — — Map (db m101260) HM
Original fire bell that hung on firehall across the street until building was destroyed by fire in 1975. Donated by Watertown Monument Works — — Map (db m258980) HM
Henry’s Centennial Tree, also known as “The Big Tree,” was planted the same year the town of Henry was established, by David & Lucenda Wiley, in from of their business, Lucenda’s Millinery Shop. The tree’s circumference was 30 ft. and its height . . . — — Map (db m213992) HM
District No. 5 School was the first rural public school in Codington County. At a meeting on June 30, 1879 at the Kranz Hotel, it was decided to build the school for $1,000 or less. The first term was from December 1879 to March 1880, taught by . . . — — Map (db m101265) HM
This Parish was established in 1879, the first Catholic Parish within a radius of one hundred miles. The first Mass celebrated June 24, 1879; Centennial Mass celebrated June 24, 1979. — — Map (db m244138) HM
Holy Rosary Cemetery of Kranzburg
God bless America and all the souls buried here in this cemetery and especially the veterans who served their country when called upon, so that we may continue to enjoy our freedom. All gave some and . . . — — Map (db m244135) HM WM
During the Moon of the Harvest (August) in 1773 a band of Sioux were camped on the shore of this lake. We-Wa-Ke, fairest maiden in the camp had given her heart to a brave young warrior, Big Eagle, whose courage on the hunt and in battle far . . . — — Map (db m180984) HM
Dedicated to the memory
of the men of the 34th Signal Company
Watertown's own
1929 — 1945
Federalized and sent to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana February 1941
Overseas to Northern Ireland February 1942
Invasion Algiers, North . . . — — Map (db m244157) HM WM
By 1919 Lewis J. Shaw Furniture & Undertaking, with lodge hall on second floor. By 1923 John M. Mahowald Harness Store at rear of building. — — Map (db m262746) HM
This Marks the Site of Home
of
Governor
Arthur Calvin Mellette
Tenth and Last Governor of Dakota Territory
and First State Governor of South Dakota 1885 - 1893 — — Map (db m169942) HM
Built after 1898 and before 1910. By 1910 meat market and grocery. By 1919 second floor housed hairdresser, insurance and real estate business. Dugan Sales & Service. — — Map (db m262752) HM
An example of Neo-classical architecture with Renaissance exterior elements, the Codington County Courthouse was built by Gray Construction under the direction of architects Freed and Perkins & McWayne. It cost $375,000.00 and was dedicated in . . . — — Map (db m23930) HM
East side:
In Memory of Codington County Veterans who Gave their Lives
World War I
1917 — 1918
Ernest G. Aderhold ·
Daniel W. Bannister ·
Donald M. Bannister ·
Clifford O. Bates ·
George Coombes ·
Fred W. Domes · . . . — — Map (db m244155) WM
All Gave Some
Some Gave All
Gearhart, Michael E. Marine 16 May 66
Stoltenburg, Mark E. Marine 21 July 66
Langenfeld, Charles T. Navy 17 Apr. 66
Bolhouse, Dean F. Army 2 Jan. 69
Noeldner, Daniel M. Army 6 Mar. 69 . . . — — Map (db m244156) WM
Watertown was platted by the Winona & St. Peter Railroad. The uptown district, consisting of six square blocks, was divided into narrow lots intended mostly for commercial use running parallel to the railroad tracks. Important noncommercial . . . — — Map (db m120097) HM
(north inscription)Spanish-American War 1898 —Battles— Manila, Blockhouse No. 4, La Loma Church, San Francisco Del Monte, Meycauayan, Marilao, Bocaue, Bigaa, Guiguinto, Santa Maria, Santa Ysabel, Malolos, Guiguinto R.R. Bridge, . . . — — Map (db m155121) WM
West side:
Allen, Ephraim J. ·
Ashton, Perry J. ·
Amy, Oren H. ·
Amshein, Jos. ·
Best, Frederick D. ·
Beardsley, Geo. W. ·
Brenswoltz, Orlando P. ·
Bigelow, Orson T. ·
Bartlett, Geo. E. ·
Butler, Harris O. ·
Brown, . . . — — Map (db m244154) WM
History and Photos of Downtown Watertown Provided by Christy Licki and the Codington County Heritage Museum
Kemp Avenue
In 1879 Oscar Kemp filed paperwork for a homestead near today's 19th Street East. After he had . . . — — Map (db m262868) HM
Watertown's first city hall provided ground-floor space for the fire department and large, arched doors for its "trucks," which included a horse-drawn wagon with a thousand feet of hose and two hand-drawn ladder wagons.
Fire protection, rather . . . — — Map (db m245305) HM
Built 1911 by Andrew P. Foley. Architect probably Maurice Hockman. 1919 Holt Motor Co., 1930's-1940's National Tea Food Store, Woolworths until 1994. — — Map (db m245329) HM
Built before 1911. Maurice Hockman probably architect. 1919 Petit's women's clothing store, Louis LaDou paints and Watertown Gas Company, basement home of Watertown Herald newspaper. — — Map (db m245330) HM
This sundial and this park are dedicated to time.
Time is a paradox. . . we never seem to have enough.
Yet we have all the time there is.
We chose the sundial the oldest known device for
Measuring time as a means of taking time to say . . . — — Map (db m113356) HM
Built 1889 with a south addition 1910 designed by Maurice Hockman architect. First floor Gilruth's department store 1901. Second and third stories Goss Opera House. Later home of Krieser's Drug. — — Map (db m245260) HM
Built 1910 for Mrs. J. N. Harper as Northwest Cadillac Co., following were Bichler Motor Co., Montgomery Ward Auto Service and others. — — Map (db m284636) HM
Maurice A. Hockman, a prominent South Dakota architect, designed a large part of uptown. At least ten buildings are attributed to him and nine or more have Hockmanesque features. Characteristics of his style are prominent courses of brick . . . — — Map (db m131988) HM
Built 1888 for Bill McIntyre. Facade added 1910 by architect Maurice Hockman. South half plumbing business since 1922. Redlinger Bros. — — Map (db m155099) HM
Built between 1883 and 1888 for Arthur C. Mellette and others. Housed Mellette's Law Offices. He was sworn in as last governor of Dakota Territory here. 1919 Dakota Life Insurance, 1926 Midland Life Insurance, 1938 Haggar Drug. — — Map (db m245261) HM
This area overlooking the Sioux River and river plains is known as Mellette Hill; named in honor of South Dakota's first governor, whose residence is near this site.
Over the last century, the land has been privately owned. However, in 1973 . . . — — Map (db m169944) HM
Arthur C. Mellette was elected first Governor of the State of South Dakota in 1889. Although Watertown lost in its bid to obtain the State Capital, which was established in Pierre, the Mellettes maintained their home in Watertown.
While the . . . — — Map (db m181946) HM
Built after 1888 and before 1892. From 1892 to 1915 bank, U.S. Express Office, saloon, clothing store, and jewelry shop. 1940’s First Federal Savings & Loan. — — Map (db m154997) HM
Arthur Mellette, the last territorial and first state governor, built his Italian Villa house in the North End Neighborhood overlooking the city during the Dakota Boom in 1883. This began a new development pattern north of the railroad tracks. . . . — — Map (db m262639) HM
This depot, originally the Rock Island Lines New Passenger Station and Division Office Building, was erected as a joint venture of
the Rock Island, and the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railroads in
1912 for $50,000.00.
Over the years, it has . . . — — Map (db m90413) HM
Built after 1910 and before 1915. Replaced Massoit House, Oscar P. and John Kemp's hardware business. 1930's-1950's Eagle Cafe. — — Map (db m262810) HM
After years of renting spaces, the US Postal Service constructed the building on the corner of Broadway and First Avenue North in 1908 to 1909. By 1932, it was clear that the facilities were not adequate, which resulted in a well-blended . . . — — Map (db m113231) HM
Several newspapers kept the people of Watertown up to date until about 1900. By then the majority of them had ceased publication or merged with other papers. The Public Opinion was formed from the merger of the Courier-News, which began printing . . . — — Map (db m131989) HM
Watertown was formed as the junction of two divisions of the Chicago and North Western Railroad. While construction of the Winona and St. Peter line reached the present location of Watertown in 1873, service did not start until 1879. Originally, . . . — — Map (db m245308) HM
Built after 1923 and before 1929 by S.X. Way, local newspaperman. Formerly value store, hat shop, Red Owl and Montgomery Wards. — — Map (db m262863) HM
This tower was constructed in 1987 to house the old town clock. The city purchased the clock from Dakota Loan and Trust Co in 1887 for $1,000. The clock was moved to a tower on top of city hall in 1889. The old City Hall was demolished in 1965 . . . — — Map (db m169947) HM
1835 Joseph LaFramboise had trade post at Two Woods Lake (Chanopa.
1838 Nicollet & Fremont , explorers, visited SE Codington County.
1840 Rev. Stephen Return Riggs enroute, Lac Qui Parle to Ft. Pierre, traversed the area.
1856 Capt. Alfred . . . — — Map (db m177449) HM
The city of Watertown was established in 1879. A year later, John Johnson was appointed as the first town marshal. In 1890, the first city hall was constructed at the corner of Kemp Avenue and 1st Street West. John Keegan became the first appointed . . . — — Map (db m245315) HM
The Watertown Arrows football team calls the Works Progress Administration (WPA) funded Art Deco style stadium home. This 1941 structure is characterized by its J shape, common for WPA-built ballparks. The long, straight part follows the football . . . — — Map (db m262645) HM
Veterans Memorial
Freedom Is Not Free - If You Are Free - Thank A Veteran
Carrier Ship Graphic
Aadland Roger W Army NG 1965-1972 ·
Aarstad Howard F Army 1953-1955 ·
Aarstad James C Army NG Res 67-87 97-2008 · . . . — — Map (db m197990) WM
Built after 1898 and by 1910. Has housed Post Office, Sternberg Clothing House, Olson Lee Clothing, Luck Shoe Shop, and Skagg’s Grocery. — — Map (db m154998) HM
