Lugenbeel County, South Dakota facts for kids
Lugenbeel County was a special area, like a district, in South Dakota, United States. It was called a "county," which is a way states divide up their land for local government. This county doesn't exist anymore, but its history is part of South Dakota's story.
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What Was Lugenbeel County?
Lugenbeel County was a part of South Dakota that existed for a while but was later changed. Think of a county as a smaller section of a state, like a neighborhood or a borough in a big city. Counties help organize local services and government.
This county was first created in 1875. It was located in what is now the southern part of South Dakota.
Why Did Lugenbeel County Change?
Lugenbeel County didn't last forever. On June 2, 1909, it was officially dissolved. This means its land was divided up and became part of other nearby counties.
The land that used to be Lugenbeel County was split between three other counties:
Counties sometimes change their borders or even disappear as states grow and populations shift. This helps make sure that local governments can best serve the people living there.
How Lugenbeel County Got Its Name
The name "Lugenbeel" came from a person named Pinkney Lugenbeel. He was an important military commander in the area during that time.
A military commander is a leader in the army. They are in charge of soldiers and help keep peace or manage territories. Naming a county after a person was a way to honor them for their contributions.
From Territory to State: A Big Change
Before it became a state, South Dakota was part of something called the Dakota Territory. A territory is an area of land that belongs to a country but isn't yet a full state. It's like a region that is still developing and getting ready for statehood.
In 1889, a big change happened. The Dakota Territory was divided, and a part of it officially became the state of South Dakota. This was an important moment in history for the region. Lugenbeel County, which was already established, then became a county within the new state of South Dakota.