Athol, South Dakota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Athol
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 Athol
Location in South Dakota
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Dakota |
| County | Spink |
| Elevation | 1,296 ft (395 m) |
| GNIS feature ID | 1265610 |
Athol is a small place in Spink County, South Dakota, in the United States. It's called an "unincorporated community." This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a town or city with its own local government. It is part of Athol Township.
History of Athol
Athol had a different name at first. It was called Myrtle City. This name came from Myrtle Taylor, who was the child of one of the very first people to settle there.
In 1881, the community got a new name when the Chicago and North Western Railroad built tracks through the area. The town was renamed Athol. It was named after a place called Athol, Massachusetts. That town in Massachusetts was named for James Murray, who was the second Duke of Atholl in Scotland.
Athol got its own official Post Office on September 28, 1881. This was an important step for the community. A newspaper called the Athol Star was also published there for some time in the 1880s by R. G. Bestor.
Geography of Athol
Athol is located near a small waterway. This waterway is known as the south fork of Snake Creek.
