50-788: The Western Union Building , formerly known as the Hagerty Block and currently as the Dacotah Prairie Museum , is a historic bank building in Aberdeen, South Dakota . It is individually listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a contributing property to the Aberdeen Commercial Historic District . The Northwestern National Bank formed in Aberdeen in 1888 with Henry Marple as president. In August 1888,
100-744: A humid continental climate ( Köppen Dfa ) influenced by its position far from moderating bodies of water. This brings four distinct seasons, a phenomenon that is characterized by hot, relatively humid summers and cold, dry winters, and it lies in USDA Hardiness Zone 4b. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 12.8 °F (−10.7 °C) in January to 72.3 °F (22.4 °C) in July, while there are 16 days of 90 °F (32 °C)+ highs and 38 days with sub-0 °F (−18 °C) lows annually. Snowfall occurs mostly in light to moderate amounts during
150-651: A City Manager/Council form of government with a mayor and eight council members. The City Manager is Robin Bobzien, and the City Council is composed of Mayor Travis Shaunaman and Council Members Char Liebelt, Rich Ward, Erin Fouberg, Rob Ronayne, Alan Johnson, Tiffany Langer, David Novstup and Justin Reinbold. Each council member serves a five-year term. County government is overseen by five commissioners. Each county commissioner serves
200-510: A Major League Coach and had two sons Cal, Jr. and Billy that also played for the Orioles organization. On June 8, 2024, the first SABR Historical Marker in the state of South Dakota was revealed on the campus of Northern State University. It was the 60th anniversary to the day when the Baltimore Orioles played an exhibition game at the ballpark. Aberdeen has 19 public tennis courts throughout
250-482: A children's area, rose garden collection, recreational trails and much more. The Richmond Lake Recreation Area is used by all types of outdoors enthusiasts. Three separate areas in this park cater to the needs of campers, swimmers, naturalists, boaters and anglers. Campers stay in the South Unit, while the 200-acre (0.8 km ) Forest Drive Unit is a great place for wildlife viewing. The Boat Ramp Unit provides access to
300-456: A five-year term. The county commissioners include Duane Sutton, Drew Dennert, Mike Wiese, Mike Gage, and Doug Fjeldheim. Aberdeen is home to Brown County offices including clerk-magistrate, county auditor, landfill office, register of deeds, county treasurer, coroner, emergency management, highway superintendent, public welfare, state's attorney, and a few others. The state senators from Brown County include Brock Greenfield and Al Novstrup , and
350-500: A male householder with no wife present, and 44.4% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 36.4 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 12.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 24.4% were from 45 to 64; and 16.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender make-up of
400-580: A problem due to Aberdeen's periodic flooding, which led to it being referred to as "The Town in the Frog Pond". At first, this unique condition presented no problem to the newly constructed buildings because it had not rained very much but, when heavy rains fell, the Pond reappeared and flooded the basements of every building on Main Street, causing many business owners and home owners much turmoil. When this flooding happened,
450-416: Is an example of Romanesque Revival architecture . The structure is a three-story building made of red brick laid in running bond . There are three main entrances, each framed by a large arch and set a few steps above street level. Pilasters extend the full height of the building, separating windows on the first floor and window pairs on the second and third floors. The interior has undergone renovations, but
500-589: Is dammed to form two reservoirs northeast of Aberdeen. The city is bisected by Moccasin Creek , a slow-moving waterway which flows south and then northeast to the James River. According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 15.60 square miles (40.40 km ), of which 15.50 square miles (40.14 km ) is land and 0.10 square miles (0.26 km ) is water. Aberdeen experiences
550-724: Is held annually in the fall. The festival has been host to Kevin Costner, Graham Greene, Adam Greenberg, CSA and many more stars of film and television. The festival's first feature film screened was Into The Wild , shot partially in SD. The festival is held at the historic Capitol Theatre. The Northern State University Theater Department puts on plays during the school year. There are four galleries in Aberdeen: Presentation College's Wein Gallery, Northern State University 's Lincoln Gallery,
SECTION 10
#1732876308978600-593: Is home of Northern State University . Before Aberdeen or Brown County was inhabited by European settlers, it was inhabited by the Sioux Indians from approximately 1700 to 1879. Europeans entered the region for business, founding fur trading posts during the 1820s; these trading posts operated until the mid-1830s. The first "settlers" of this region were the Arikara Indians, but they would later be joined by others. The first group of Euro-American settlers to reach
650-458: Is the BNSF Railway . L. Frank Baum , who was later author of the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its many sequels, lived here with his wife and children from 1888 to 1891. He ran a fancy goods store, Baum's Bazaar, for over a year, which failed. He later published one of the city's then nine newspapers, where he used his editorials to campaign for women's suffrage (a suffrage amendment to
700-656: The Mitchell Building , which he also built, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as well. His papers, along with those of his son John, are in the archives of the Wisconsin Historical Society . Mitchell was married to Martha Reed , sister of Harrison Reed , who served as Governor of Florida during Reconstruction . Mitchell's son, John L. Mitchell , was a Congressman and United States Senator , and his grandson, Billy Mitchell ,
750-595: The Aberdeen Micropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of Brown and Edmunds counties and has a population of 42,287 in 2020. As of the census of 2020, there were 28,495 people and 12,114 households in the city. As of the census of 2010, there were 26,091 people, 11,418 households and 6,354 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,683.3 per square mile (649.9/km ). There were 12,158 housing units at an average density of 784.4 per square mile (302.9/km ). The racial make-up
800-768: The Aberdeen Recreation & Cultural Center (ARCC) Gallery and the ArtWorks Cooperative Gallery located in The Aberdeen Mall. The Village Bowl in Aberdeen is a modern bowling center with multiple lanes. Located at 1314 8th Ave NW. Aberdeen has had three minor league baseball teams since 1920. The Aberdeen Boosters, a class D league team, played in 1920, the Aberdeen Grays, also a class D team, played from 1921 to 1923. The class C Aberdeen Pheasants from 1946 to 1971, and 1995 to 1997. The Pheasants were
850-623: The Midwest, was built around the newly developing railroad systems. Aberdeen was first officially plotted as a town site on January 3, 1881, by Charles Prior, the superintendent of the Minneapolis office of the Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railroad , or the Milwaukee Road for short, which was presided over by Alexander Mitchell , Charles Prior's boss, who was responsible for the choice of town names. He
900-530: The Wisconsin Club. The Historic Mitchell Street neighborhood was named in his honor, as was the city of Mitchell, South Dakota , incorporated in 1881. In World War II, the United States liberty ship SS Alexander Mitchell was named in his honor. The Mackie Building , which was constructed by Mitchell as an investment property, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places . Additionally,
950-536: The affiliate of the former St. Louis Browns (and current Baltimore Orioles ). Aberdeen was a stop to the majors for such notable players as Don Larsen (perfect game in the World Series), Lou Piniella (AL rookie of the year with Kansas City Royals in 1969), and Jim Palmer , Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles. In the 1960's, the Pheasants were Coached by Cal Ripken, Sr, who later ended up being
1000-435: The area that is now Brown County was a party of four people, three horses, two mules, fifteen cattle, and two wagons. This group of settlers was later joined by another group the following spring, and, eventually, more settlers migrated toward this general area, currently known as Columbia, South Dakota . This town was established on June 15, 1879, was settled in 1880, and was incorporated in 1882. Aberdeen, like many towns of
1050-404: The area up-close. The park has multiple private and public boat ramps as well as an accessible fishing dock. Richmond Lake has a population of walleye, northern pike, bass, perch, crappie, bluegill, catfish, and bullheads within its waters. An entrance fee is required to gain access to the water and park itself. Aberdeen is the center of government for Brown County. City government is overseen by
SECTION 20
#17328763089781100-507: The area, as well as one synagogue. Super 8 Motels was founded in 1972 by Dennis Brown and Ron Rivett as a motel referral system, which was replaced with a franchise operation in 1973. The first Super 8, with 60 rooms, was opened in 1974 in Aberdeen and still operates today as the Super 8 Aberdeen East. The Aberdeen Area Arts Council publishes a small monthly newspaper, ARTiFACTS , with information on area events. The Aberdeen Community Theatre
1150-512: The area. The full service YMCA includes an aquatic center with a competitive size lap pool, zero depth entry recreation pool with play features and hot tub. There are three gyms one of which has a climbing wall. There are two racquetball courts. Saunas and steam rooms are in the men's and women's locker rooms. Over 100 group fitness classes are offered each week with child watch available (short term childcare). A wellness center that has cardio equipment, weight machines and free weights. Completed in
1200-601: The bank purchased the property and general store at 21–23 South Main Street to build a new bank building. Construction took place from 1888 through 1889 with the bank opening in the new location in February 1889. In May 1891, a fire damaged the building and gutted the Kearney and Boyer grocery store. In March 1903, another fire damaged the building, originating in the basement banana room of the Gamble & Robinson grocery store. The building
1250-510: The beach, and paddle boating. Storybook Land is a park with attractions from several different children's storybooks. The park contains a castle, as well as a train that takes visitors through the park. There are two barns which contain petting zoos. Humpty Dumpty's Great Fall Roller Coaster was added to the park, summer 2015. Newly added is the Land of Oz, that features characters and attractions from L. Frank Baum 's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz . Baum
1300-420: The city had one steam-powered pump that had to be used to dry out the entire area that had been flooded, which would take days, if not weeks – and more often than not, it would have rained again in this time period and caused even more flooding, even in the basements that had already been emptied of the water. When the water was gone from the basements, the city still had to deal with the mud that also resulted from
1350-534: The city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 24,658 people, 10,553 households and 6,184 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,902.1 per square mile (734.4/km ). There were 11,259 housing units at an average density of 868.5 per square mile (335.3/km ). The racial make-up of the city was 94.61% White , 0.37% Black or African American , 3.17% Native American , 0.54% Asian , 0.13% Pacific Islander , 0.19% from other races and 0.99% from two or more races. 0.79% of
1400-495: The city – Melgaard Park (4), Northern State University (6), and Holgate Middle School (8). Aberdeen has three golf courses: Lee Park Municipal Golf Course, Moccasin Creek Country Club and Rolling Hills Country Club. Lee Park and Moccasin Creek are both 18-hole courses. Rolling Hills is a combined nine-hole course and housing development which opened in 2005. Aberdeen has several outdoor skating rinks and hockey rinks open to
1450-434: The exterior has changed little over the building's history. Aberdeen, South Dakota Aberdeen ( Lakota : Ablíla ) is a city in and the county seat of Brown County, South Dakota , United States, located approximately 125 miles (201 km) northeast of Pierre . The population was 28,495 at the 2020 census , making it the third-most populous city in the state, after Sioux Falls and Rapid City . Aberdeen
1500-406: The heavy rains. The city decided in 1882 to build an artesian ditch to control the "Frog Pond" effects; the plan was later upgraded and developed into an artesian well in 1884 to combat the heavy rains and keep the basements from flooding. The artesian well was designed by the city engineers to prevent flooding and develop a water system. However, during the digging of the well, the water stream that
1550-422: The more than 1,000-acre (4 km ) lake. Richmond Lake Recreation Area's small campground offers a quiet camping experience. The park also features a wheelchair accessible camping cabin. The park's extensive trail system features over 10 miles (16 km) of trails, including both accessible and interpretive trails. Hikers, bikers, and horseback riders can observe the abundance of prairie plants and wildlife of
Western Union Building (Aberdeen, South Dakota) - Misplaced Pages Continue
1600-703: The most profitable in the United States, and Mitchell became the wealthiest person in Wisconsin. Mitchell represented Wisconsin's 1st congressional district in the Forty-second United States Congress . After redistricting he represented Wisconsin's 4th congressional district in the Forty-third United States Congress . He was nominated for Governor of Wisconsin by the Democratic Party in 1877, but he declined to run. He
1650-503: The museum was the sole occupant of the building. The building was nominated for the National Register of Historic Places as the only remaining 19th century bank building in Aberdeen; it was listed on December 12, 1976. The building is also listed on the National Register as a key contributing property of the Aberdeen Commercial Historic District; the district was listed on May 23, 1988. The Western Union Building
1700-569: The new South Dakota constitution was on the ballot at the time). The city's small amusement park has some features reflective of the Oz series. After his sojourn in Aberdeen, he moved to Chicago in 1892. Aberdeen is located in northeastern South Dakota, in the James River valley, approximately 11 miles (18 km) west of the river. The James River enters northeastern South Dakota in Brown County, where it
1750-510: The newly developing town. With these four railroads intersecting here, Aberdeen soon became known as the "Hub City of the Dakotas". When looking down on Aberdeen from above, the railroad tracks converging in Aberdeen resembled the spokes of a wheel converging at a hub, hence the name "Hub City of the Dakotas". These four railroad companies are the reason why Aberdeen was able to grow and flourish as it did. The only railroad still running through Aberdeen
1800-436: The population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 53.7% were of German, 15% Norwegian and 8.5% Irish ancestry. There were 10,553 households, of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.0% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.4% were non-families. 34.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who
1850-659: The public during winter months. Aberdeen is also home to the NAHL team, Aberdeen Wings . Aberdeen has a skate park located between East Melgaard Road and 17th Ave SE at Melgaard Park. The equipment installed includes a quarter pipe, penalty box with half pyramid, bank ramp, spine, kinked rail and a ground rail. Aberdeen has two disc golf courses, Melgaard Park, and the Richmond Lake Disc Golf Course. Aberdeen has an All-women's Roller Derby league "A-Town Roller Girlz" established in 2011, also bringing Junior Roller Derby to
1900-629: The state representatives included Lana Greefield , Kaleb Wies , Carl Perry and Drew Dennert . They are all in office until December 2020 In 2008, Governor Mike Rounds named Aberdeen as the South Dakota Community of the Year. Alexander Mitchell (Wisconsin politician) Alexander Mitchell (October 17, 1817 – April 19, 1887) was a Scottish-born banker , railroad financier and Democratic politician in Milwaukee . Mitchell
1950-407: The summer of 2007, this complex includes a zero entry pool, competition lap pool, lazy river, numerous water slides, play sand area, and a concession area. Wylie Park Recreation Area features go-kart racing, sand volleyball courts, access to Wylie Lake, camping area, picnic areas, and is connected to Storybook Land. Wylie Lake is a small man-made lake, open in the summer months for swimming, lying on
2000-420: The winter, totaling 42 inches (107 cm). Precipitation, at 21.8 inches (554 mm) annually, is concentrated in the warmer months. Extreme temperatures have ranged from −46 °F (−43 °C) on January 12, 1912, and February 8, 1895, to 115 °F (46 °C) on July 6 and 15, 1936, although a −42 °F (−41 °C) reading occurred as recently as January 15, 2009. Aberdeen is the principal city of
2050-482: Was $ 33,276 and the median family income was $ 43,882. Males had a median income of $ 30,355 and females $ 20,092. The per capita income was $ 17,923. About 7.6% of families and 10.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.6% of those under age 18 and 10.1% of those age 65 or over. There are several Roman Catholic, Baptist, Presbyterian, Methodist, Pentecostal, Lutheran, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Nazarere, and Non-denominational churches in
Western Union Building (Aberdeen, South Dakota) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2100-427: Was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.86. 21.8% of the population were under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.3 males. The median household income
2150-433: Was 91.8% White , 0.7% African American , 3.6% Native American , 1.3% Asian , 0.2% Pacific Islander , 0.5% from other races and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 11,418 households, of which 27.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.1% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had
2200-422: Was a resident of Aberdeen in the 1880s. He left after a severe drought led to the failure of first, his variety store Baum's Bazaar, and then his newspaper The Aberdeen Saturday Pioneer , where he wrote an opinion column, Our Landlady . The Kuhnert Arboretum provides many new learning experiences for the residents of the Aberdeen area, including school-aged children. The Arboretum offers environmental education,
2250-711: Was an avid curler, and helped popularize the sport in the United States. Mitchell helped found the Milwaukee Curling Club in the 1840s, and he was elected patron of the Grand National Curling Club . Mitchell died in New York City and was buried at Forest Home Cemetery in Milwaukee. Mitchell owned a mansion across the street from the Milwaukee County Courthouse , which is now the site of
2300-524: Was born in Aberdeen , Scotland, after which the town of Aberdeen was named. Aberdeen was officially founded on July 6, 1881, the date of the first arrival of a Milwaukee Railroad train. Aberdeen then operated under a city charter granted by the Territorial Legislature in March 1883. As Aberdeen grew, many businesses and buildings were constructed along the town's Main Street. However, this soon became
2350-577: Was born in Ellon, Aberdeenshire , Scotland, the son of Margaret (Lendrum) and John Mitchell, in 1817 and immigrated to the United States in 1839. He pursued a career in banking in Milwaukee , and founded the Marine Bank of Wisconsin. Mitchell was president of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway from 1864 to 1887. With fellow director Jeremiah Milbank (1818–1884) he built this railroad into one of
2400-580: Was created in 1979 and performs at the Capitol Theatre in downtown Aberdeen. The Capitol Theatre opened in 1927 and donated to the Aberdeen Community Theatre in 1991; since then more than $ 963,000 has been spent on renovating and preserving the historical aspect of the Capitol Theatre. Today, the Aberdeen Community Theatre performs five mainstage productions and three youth productions per year. The South Dakota Film Festival established in 2007
2450-429: Was found underground was too powerful to be contained. The water came blasting out with violent force and had the entire Main Street submerged in up to four feet of water. The engineers realized the previous flaws of the artesian well plan and soon added a gate valve to the well to control the flow of water, giving Aberdeen its first working water supply. Aberdeen had four different railroad companies with depots built in
2500-632: Was purchased by Jay Hagerty in 1907, becoming known as the Hagerty Block. In 1920, existing tenant Western Union took over the most prominent space in the building, which then became known as the Western Union Building. Over the years, aside from the bank, the building housed grocery stores and several offices. In 1970, the building was donated to Brown County for a museum, which opened as the Dacotah Prairie Museum that October. By 1980
#977022