Ghost Towns in SD (Sioux Falls, Rapid City: theater, school, college)

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Chris19

Hooker is another one but in the southeastern part of Turner County in the Viborg/Centerville areas. Schindler (even though it is a cluster of houses now) was a thriving town northeast of Harrisburg on SD Highway 11 earlier in the 20th century and fizzled out in the middle part of the century, but resembles more of a development of acreages mostly built in the 1970s and 1980s. In the 1960s and earlier maps, there used to be a West Sioux Falls and a South Sioux Falls, but those were absorbed into Sioux Falls.

Blood Run was an old Indian settlement, before the Sioux came to the area, and has artificacts and is northeast of Harrisburg along the Big Sioux River. Iowa has been more proactive with preserving the area, but it would be neat to have it as a park with an interpretive site.

You mention Viborg. haven't been down in that neck of the woods in a long time but around Viborg. Are Irene, Mayfield, Parsons Corner, Spring Valley, Turkey Ridge, and Naomi (only to name towns within 10 miles) still viable towns or have they dried up also?

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

You mention Viborg. haven't been down in that neck of the woods in a long time but around Viborg. Are Irene, Mayfield, Parsons Corner, Spring Valley, Turkey Ridge, and Naomi (only to name towns within 10 miles) still viable towns or have they dried up also?

Irene is still a viable town and has few hundred people and has two small gas stations, a bank, couple of cafe/bars, a grain elevator, nursing home, few churches, and a few smaller businesses. It shares a school district with Wakonda (town of 200 or so). I often go through it to visit a couple people there and on my way to Yankton. The town is not growing too much but is not shrinking rapidly. Many people there go to either Yankton or Sioux Falls do do their major shopping.

Mayfield is a corner where there used to be a service station but I am guessing that it is an eating place of some sort and a house and that is about it. It is west of Irene on the way to US 81.

I have been near Turkey Ridge and Parsons Corner but my impression is that there is not much there. Spring Valley and Naomi are long gone.

[DannyBanany]

There's another hanging tree in Rapid City on Skyline Drive. Some kids tried to chop it down a few years ago and it was always getting vandalized. Now it's fenced off. It's dubbed Horsethief Tree. Back then, stealing a horse was as bad as murder.

[MJ1986]

Chris19, Have you been to Milltown? It's just east of Parkston about 2 1/2 miles north of Highway 44...It's really fascinating...another cool old town is Booge, which is about 1/2 mile west of the SD/MN border, and 2 1/2 miles north of I-90.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by mjgustafson

Chris19, Have you been to Milltown? It's just east of Parkston about 2 1/2 miles north of Highway 44...It's really fascinating...another cool old town is Booge, which is about 1/2 mile west of the SD/MN border, and 2 1/2 miles north of I-90.

Milltown??? It's just south of where I live. They used to have dances down there and Sunday afternoons you could rollerskate. As far as I know, it's now been closed for years, but it was a really neat place to be in the 60s and 70s.

[sdgoldpanner]

Scenic, ah the memories! It was still quite a rowdy town only 25 years ago. Much calmer now and believe it or not one can snack on pizza and sodas while you are gassing your car at a modern convenience store. There is also now a Rock Shop, combination Museum, It is quite impressive and being run by a friend of mine. My Father owned a ranch just North of Scenic a few miles near Sage Creek. I remember the old bar quite well. Dirt floor covered with peanut shells. Free peanuts to all the customers. Only place for miles and miles to get a “bruzky” or many of them which was usually the case. What else was there to do there. I remember many times during the cold winter nights one would rather “whiz” in a dark corner in the bar than go outside! The old jail with iron door gates is still standing. If only some of those old buildings could talk! What a lesson one could learn. Yep, glad memories can not be taken away.

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by mjgustafson

Chris19, Have you been to Milltown? It's just east of Parkston about 2 1/2 miles north of Highway 44...It's really fascinating...another cool old town is Booge, which is about 1/2 mile west of the SD/MN border, and 2 1/2 miles north of I-90.

I know of Milltown, but have been by it but not in it. I have seen Booge on the 1930s highway map, I will have to dig it out sometime. I do not recall visiting it but have been in the general area.

[ElkHunter]

Originally Posted by Chris19

I know of Milltown, but have been by it but not in it. I have seen Booge on the 1930s highway map, I will have to dig it out sometime. I do not recall visiting it but have been in the general area.

Booge is just off of I-90 a couple miles. East of Sioux Falls about 12 miles and then go North on State highway 23 two and a half miles and then turn left and go one mile. You'll be in downtown Booge.

It's North East of Sioux Falls about 14 miles.

Milltown is just 4 miles South of New Elm Springs or 6 miles East of Parkston or a little South East of Dimock. Now, you and Jammie should know exactly where it's at.

[Chris19]

Originally Posted by ElkHunter

Booge is just off of I-90 a couple miles. East of Sioux Falls about 12 miles and then go North on State highway 23 two and a half miles and then turn left and go one mile. You'll be in downtown Booge.

It's North East of Sioux Falls about 14 miles.

Milltown is just 4 miles South of New Elm Springs or 6 miles East of Parkston or a little South East of Dimock. Now, you and Jammie should know exactly where it's at.

Very good, thanks.

[prairierose]

[quote=DannyBanany;2320152]

I've often wondered though, is 1880 Town real or is it just a tourist trap.

A Google search turned up www.1880town.com which indicates the town was originally built as a movie set but never used as such. It has some authentic buildings that were brought in, and although it is not a true "ghost town", is still probably interesting. We have not been there yet, but may stop on our next adventure to South Dakota.