National Register of Historic Places listings in Kingsbury County, South Dakota facts for kids
This article is about the cool historic places in Kingsbury County, South Dakota, that are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Think of it like a special list of buildings, sites, and objects that are important to American history and culture. These places are officially recognized by the United States government because they tell us stories about the past.
There are 22 places in Kingsbury County that are on this special list. You can even find some of them on a map if you have their exact location!
What is the National Register of Historic Places?
The National Register of Historic Places is America's official list of places that are worth saving. It's like a hall of fame for buildings, structures, objects, sites, and districts that have played a big part in our country's history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture. When a place is added to this list, it means it's recognized as important and should be protected for future generations.
It's managed by the National Park Service, which is part of the U.S. government. Being on the Register helps to preserve these places and sometimes makes them eligible for special grants or tax benefits to help with their upkeep.
Historic Buildings in Kingsbury County
Kingsbury County has many interesting places that tell us about its past. Let's look at some of them:
Buildings from Daily Life
Many historic places were once part of everyday life in Kingsbury County.
Arlington Masonic Temple
The Arlington Masonic Temple is a building in Arlington. It was built for the Masons, a fraternal organization. This building is important because it shows us the kind of community groups that were active in towns long ago. It was added to the list in 2017.
Badger School District Number 18
Imagine going to school in a building that's now historic! The Badger School District Number 18 building in Badger was once a school. It's located at the corner of Main Street and 1st Avenue. It became a historic site in 2006, reminding us of how education used to happen in small towns.
Bank of the Iroquois Building
The Bank of the Iroquois Building in Iroquois was once a busy bank. It stands at the junction of Washita and Quapaw Streets. This building, listed in 2002, shows us what important businesses looked like in the early days of these towns.
Central Dakota Flouring Mill Grain Elevator
In farming areas like South Dakota, grain elevators were super important. The Central Dakota Flouring Mill Grain Elevator in Arlington helped store and move grain. Located at 202 East Elm Street, it became historic in 2002. It's a reminder of the county's agricultural roots.
Esmond Methodist Episcopal Church and Township Hall
Churches and town halls were often the heart of a community. The Esmond Methodist Episcopal Church and Township Hall in Esmond served both purposes. It's at the corner of Center Street and Elm Street and was listed in 2006.
Hetland School
Another historic school building is the Hetland School on Park Street in Hetland. It was added to the list in 2002. These old school buildings help us understand how communities grew and provided education for their children.
Lake Preston High School
The Lake Preston High School building, located at 300 1st Street Northeast in Lake Preston, also made the list in 2003. It's another example of how important education was to these early communities.
Oldham Methodist Church
The Oldham Methodist Church in Oldham, at Main Street and Epton Avenue, was listed in 1987. It's a beautiful example of the places of worship that were built in the county.
Omdalen Barn
Not just buildings, but also important farm structures can be historic! The Omdalen Barn near Lake Preston, at 44750 209th Street, was listed in 2006. Barns like this show us the history of farming and agriculture in the region.
Peterson-Loriks House
The Peterson-Loriks House in Oldham is a historic home. It was added to the Register in 1980. Historic houses give us a glimpse into how people lived and the styles of homes they built long ago.
Adam and Minnie Royhl House
Another historic home is the Adam and Minnie Royhl House at 203 South 3rd Street in Arlington. It was listed in 2001.
Thomas H. Ruth House
The Thomas H. Ruth House at 209 Poinset Avenue in De Smet is also a historic residence. It was added to the list in 1999.
Stark and Blanch Garage
The Stark and Blanch Garage at 204 South Main Street in Arlington was listed in 2007. This building shows us the history of early businesses, especially those related to cars and transportation.
Olaf Stordahl Barn
Similar to the Omdalen Barn, the Olaf Stordahl Barn near Arlington, at 45210 199th Street, was listed in 2002. It's another important piece of the county's farming history.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Some historic places are related to how people traveled and how towns were connected.
Chicago Northwestern Depot
Train stations, or depots, were vital for connecting towns. The Chicago Northwestern Depot in De Smet, located on Highway 25, was listed in 1976. It reminds us of the importance of railroads in developing the American West.
Railroad Camp Shanty
The Railroad Camp Shanty in De Smet, at 1st and Olivet Streets, was listed in 1973. This small building likely housed railroad workers, showing us the tough conditions of building the railways.
South Dakota Dept. of Transportation Bridge No. 39-006-070
Even bridges can be historic! This bridge, located on a local road over Pearl Creek near Iroquois, was listed in 1993. It's recognized for its engineering and its role in connecting communities.
Other Important Historic Sites
Berger Farmstead
The Berger Farmstead near Badger, at 19802 446th Avenue, was listed in 2005. A farmstead includes not just a house but also barns and other farm buildings, showing a complete picture of a historic farm.
Ingalls House
Fans of the "Little House on the Prairie" books might recognize the Ingalls House in De Smet. Located at 210 3rd Street West, this house was home to the Ingalls family, including famous author Laura Ingalls Wilder. It was listed in 1975 and is a very popular historic site.
Kingsbury County Courthouse
The Kingsbury County Courthouse in De Smet, also on Highway 25, was listed in 1977. Courthouses are often grand buildings that represent the government and justice system in a county.
Lake Preston Tourist Park Historic District
A "historic district" means a whole area with several historic buildings or features. The Lake Preston Tourist Park Historic District in Lake Preston, at the junction of U.S. Route 14 and South Park Avenue, was listed in 2002. This park likely served travelers and shows how tourism developed.
Former Historic Listings
Sometimes, a historic place might be removed from the National Register. This usually happens if the building is destroyed or changed so much that it no longer looks like it did when it was historic.
For example, two bridges near De Smet, the Esmond Bridge and South Dakota Dept. of Transportation Bridge No. 39-176-100, were listed in 1993 but later removed from the Register in 1999.
Images for kids
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The Ingalls House in De Smet, South Dakota.
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The Kingsbury County Courthouse.
