Aberdeen Magazine May/June 2018

KaSara Sutton

Karen Stephenson and John Gillick

FEATURES

12 GOING THE DISTANCE

Competitive runner, Jeremy Van Veen, had the fastest time in the state going into the Boston Marathon this year. Find out why he almost sat out the race, and how the busy father of five finds time to train.

18 SOUTHERN CHARM

For Lynne McCafferty, every object tells a story. See all the beautiful antiques and vintage items that fill her store, Southern Shack Designs.

20 A WORK OF HEART

A career in nursing can take you many places. Three Aberdeen area nurses talk about the challenges, rewards, and opportunities that come with their field.

30

WHICH OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS?

Stories of a North Side versus South Side rivalry have been circulating in Aberdeen for generations, but is there any truth to the talk? We’ve dug into the facts, and are answering the North versus South question once and for all.

34 A

HISTORIC HOME IN CARING HANDS

Dr. Kenneth Boulton and JoAnne Barry, the fifth owners of the R.D. Alway House, share a glimpse of their iconic 1914 Aberdeen home.

36 WHERE IS J.W. HENRY?

An Aberdeen architect whose work is everywhere. But he isn't.

40

GIFTS THAT BLOOM

New owners of Beadle Floral & Landscaping, Andy and Jennifer Fleming, are planning the future of an Aberdeen staple.

44 GREEN THUMBS FOR A GOOD CAUSE

Through their annual plant sale, the Aberdeen Garden Plotters have raised thousands of dollars and put in a decade of time helping to develop the Kuhnert Arboretum.

46 HOMESTEADS, RAILROADS, AND CHANGE

Before Aberdeen became the Hub City, it was the city of Columbia that acted as Brown County’s first major center for trade and commerce.

52

SWIM SAFELY THIS SUMMER

Ah summer! Before you pack that pool bag and head out for a dip, read the Aberdeen YMCA’s important safety tips for swimmers of all ages.

26 MOTHER’S DAY FASHION

Get cozy in the light and pretty styles trending around Aberdeen for Mother’s Day.

ON THE COVER Aberdeen has been on the forefront of nursing and nursing education since the Presentation Sisters opened their first hospital here in 1901. Today, with two hospitals and continuing opportunities to earn nursing degrees available in town, there is no shortage of people who care for others in the Hub City. On our cover are three area nurses who took time between their shifts to tell us about the nursing lifestyle. Photos by Troy McQuillen.

ISSN 2378-3060

What do you want to be when you grow up? For me in first grade, the answer was I wanted to be a nurse, like my mother. I never did follow in her footsteps professionally, but my mom’s serving heart and the way she put that forward in her work as a nurse is something I’ll always admire.

In honor of nurses everywhere, National Nurses Week is celebrated May 6-12. Aberdeen is so fortunate to have a rich history of nursing education, as well as two hospitals and many clinics filled with outstanding nurses, some of whom you can meet in “A Work of Heart” on page 20.

Besides caring for people, we have many faces in Aberdeen who are working to build a more beautiful, green community. Along with creating works of art through their landscape and floral designs, Beadle Floral & Landscaping (page 40) also grows all of their own plants, trees, and shrubs right here in town. And local gardeners in the Aberdeen Garden Plotters Club (page 44) have raised thousands of dollars for the Kuhnert Arboretum in the last decade during their annual plant sale, held the first Saturday in June.

We also have people putting their passion into preserving our past. Lynne McCafferty and her team at Southern Shack Designs (page 18) find, restore, and repurpose antiques and vintage furniture, and care as much about each item’s story as they do in finding the object a new home. Lynne is helped at her store by her husband, Mike McCafferty, who is one of our contributing writers bringing you historical accounts of people and places in and around Brown County in the last several issues. Don’t miss his “The History of Columbia” on page 46 to learn about the growth and decline of the county’s first official city. Speaking of history, in Aberdeen you've probably passed by the architecture of J.W. Henry, but it’s also likely you’ve never heard of him! To see just how great his contribution was to the development of our city, flip to page 36.

Every time we put together an issue of Aberdeen Magazine I am amazed at all the people and places we have to be proud of here in the Aberdeen area. We love creating this magazine for you, and hope that when you read through it that it makes you proud too, to be a part of Aberdeen.

Jenny Roth, MANAGING EDITOR

MIKE MCCAFFERTY is an avid historian, accomplished writer, professional fisherman, and trainer. His passion is Great Plains history, and he currently serves as a member of the Dacotah Prairie Museum Board. Mike has had over 200 articles printed in outdoor magazines throughout the Midwest and Canada.

MANAGING EDITOR

Jenny Roth

PUBLISHER

Troy McQuillen

DESIGN

Eliot Lucas

AD SALES

Abby McQuillen abby@mcquillencreative.com

PUBLICATION OFFICE

McQuillen Creative Group 423 S. Main St., Suite 1 Aberdeen SD, 57401 (605) 226-3481

PRINTING

Midstates Printing

SUBMISSIONS

Aberdeen Magazine welcomes your input. Message us your story ideas, drop off historic photos, or stop in for a chat. Email us at: troy@mcquillencreative.com

WEBSITE www.aberdeenmag.com

PRIVACY STATEMENT

Any personal information, email addresses, or contact submitted to the editorial office or online via our Facebook page will not be sold or distributed. Aberdeen Magazine does wish to publish public comments and attitudes regarding Aberdeen, therefore written submissions and comments on our Facebook page implies permission to utilize said information in editorial content.

TARA SCHIPKE has been cooking in restaurants for 14 years. She is currently the assistant manager at Minerva’s Restaurant and Bar and a custom pastry and dessert chef. Her passion for cooking started at home with parents who were great cooks and encouraged learning in the kitchen. In 2012, she graduated with honors from Le Cordon Bleu in Minneapolis.

CHRISTINA SHILMAN is a wife, mom to an amazing baby boy, mental health therapist, and owner of Paisley Tree Photography. Her photography business opened in 2013 and specializes in weddings, seniors, families, children, and most recently,

Aberdeen Magazine is produced exclusively in Aberdeen, South Dakota. All content is copyright with all rights reserved. No content may be shared, copied, scanned, or posted online without permission. Please just ask us first. We’re pretty flexible.

JAYNIE SPIER is the Aberdeen Family YMCA’s Aquatic Coordinator. She has seven years of experience in the world of aquatics, and is a certified lifeguard, water safety instructor, and lifeguard instructor. Jaynie grew up in Madison, South Dakota, and graduated from SDSU in December 2015.

www.mcquillencreative.com

PATRICK GALLAGHER is a regular contributor commenting on Aberdeen’s personality, food options, and history.

lifestyle sessions, like the one featured here in our Mother’s Day fashion article. She loves capturing authentic and unforgettable moments for her clients.

YOUR SOURCE FOR WHAT’S HAPPENING IN ABERDEEN

THE hub

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLACE YOUR BETS!

125 YEARS OF CARING

Through each changing decade, the Salvation Army’s red shield symbol has remained a sign of refuge for those in need. Founded in 1893, the Aberdeen Corps initially offered hope and assistance to settlers facing drought and financial hardships. In the early 1900s, a successful campaign erected the Corps’ first building, located at 14 4th Avenue Southwest. This building held lodging accommodations, worship services, and Sunday school. The Salvation Army later made the move to their current location on Sixth Avenue in 1984, and to create more space for shoppers, opened their thrift store right next door in 2005. Currently, they provide material and economic assistance through their Community Care Ministries, food pantry, meal shares, senior food boxes,

nursing home visits, Christmas and back to school aid, emergency disaster services, family care management, and after school program. National Salvation Army Week takes place this year May 1420. To celebrate their 125th Anniversary, the Aberdeen Corps will be hosting a series of events that week, such as a chili cook-off, health fair, and Labor for your Neighbor clean-up drive. // – Jenny

Roth

 To learn more about the Aberdeen Salvation Army, call 605-225-7410.

The last two weekends in May are once again set aside for Northeast Area Horse Racing at the Brown County Fairgrounds. Spectators can watch both quarter horses and thoroughbreds on the track, and Aberdeen is one of only two sites in the entire state for parimutuel wagering. The live races start at 1:00 PM on May 19 and 20, and also during Memorial Day weekend on May 26, 27, and 28.

New this year is the Northeast Area Horse Racing’s inaugural ABREWdeen craft beer event, scheduled for May 26 after the races from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM at the Holum Expo Building. Participants will receive a free sampling glass and have the chance to taste 50 craft beers from both local and national breweries. Live music and bar games will provide entertainment for the evening. // — Jenny Roth

 For more information, search ABREWdeen on Facebook.

Photos courtesy of the Aberdeen Salvation Army.

 Top: Members of the Aberdeen Kiwanis Club gather on Main Street to ring bells for the Salvation Army. Right: Past Salvation Army Captains, Jim and Linda Porterfield, and their son Andrew.

A CENTURY OF SERVICE

One hundred years ago, L.C. Woodman Sr. opened an electrical business in Aberdeen. Over time, his company progressed into the refrigeration industry, and later became the first Willis Carrier air conditioning dealer in the area. His sons, Larry and George, eventually joined the family operation, and today it is still going strong while managed by the third generation of Woodmans, L.C.’s grandson, John, and his wife Ramona. Woodman Refrigeration serves customers in both commercial and residential settings in Aberdeen and within a surrounding area in South Dakota of 100 miles. Their specialties include air conditioning, heating, air cleaners, refrigeration, generators, humidification, coolers, home comfort systems, and many more services. They plan on celebrating their 100th year in business with their customers, some of whom have been with them for over 50 years, all throughout 2018. The company says they credit their success to their wonderful long-term employees, and are thankful for all the local people and contractors in Aberdeen that they’ve been able to work with. // — Jenny Roth

COLLABORATIVE COLORS

Two up and coming artists are coloring Aberdeen this summer with their original, kaleidoscopic paintings. Ben and Barbie Grote will have their artwork on display every Thursday at the Farmers Market in Central Park, and also during an outdoor art show at Easton Castle June 23-24.

Until a few years ago, the Grotes were working as individual artists on their own projects. Then, the married couple decided to join their artistic talents by creating paintings in a variety of styles and sizes together. In March their collaborative artwork collection made its debut during Partners in Art and Love, a one-evening exhibit at the Briscoe Building.

Ben and Barbie are both Aberdeen natives and full-time artists. Currently, they have over 300 pieces of art available for sale. The couple welcomes requests for personal viewings of their work, and is available to do live painting performances for special events. // — Jenny Roth

 To reach the Grotes, call Ben at 605-380-1351, or message him on Facebook.

 Top: Team members at Woodman Refrigeration are celebrating the company’s 100th year in business. Pictured left to right are Larissa Bain, Ty Auske, Dan Meginness, John Woodman, and Ramona Woodman. Right: An early service truck.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

RONCALLI CAVALIERS ON THE RUN

This spring, thousands of girls in grades 3-5 from South Dakota will complete the nationally recognized Girls on the Run program by running in a 5k race. Aberdeen has 20 Girls on the Run participants from Roncalli Elementary School. To prepare for their 5k, the young cavaliers started practicing at least twice a week in early March with the help of nine volunteer coaches and running buddies. On May 12, they’ll join other area runners at Wylie Park for the annual Run from the Police 5k.

Girls on the Run is a nonprofit that formed in 2000 with the mission to empower pre-teen girls to find their strengths and pursue their goals. Along with training for their end-of-season race, the girls also dive into character building topics each week. This is Aberdeen Roncalli’s second year hosting the program, and they currently have a full roster. Roncalli School Counselor, Raquel Ball, started the ball rolling to bring Girls on the Run to Aberdeen. She says with more volunteers they hope to see the addition of more teams at Roncalli and throughout Aberdeen in the future. // — Jenny Roth

 For more information on Aberdeen’s Girls on the Run, contact Stacy Stahl at sstahl@embe.org.

TINY TITAN INVASION

A traveling children’s exhibit is making a roar at the Dacotah Prairie Museum. According to Museum Office and Store Manager and Volunteer Coordinator, Patricia Kendall, "Tiny Titans: Dinosaur Eggs & Babies takes a rare and exciting look at the life of dinosaurs through their eggs, nests, and young in a stellar exhibit from Silver Plume Exhibitions. This colorful, hands-on, interactive exhibit gives visitors a chance to see and learn about an amazing collection of real dinosaur eggs, artwork from some of the top paleo-artists, and stunning photography.” The tiny titans are guaranteed to be fun for all ages, and will be on hand at the museum from June through November 2018. // — Jenny Roth

 For more information, call the Dacotah Prairie Museum at 605-626-7117.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

 Aberdeen Roncalli 3-5 grade Girls on the Run participants are gearing up for their 5k run in May.

GOING THE DISTANCE

To succeed, you have to put in the miles, just ask elite runner Jeremy Van Veen

by JENNY ROTH

fter finishing his first Boston Marathon a few years ago, Jeremy Van Veen said he’d never run it again. The race is difficult, and requires that most runners qualify by time during a certain date range, and only on specific courses, to participate. Then last year, some of his friends decided to try and qualify for the 2018 Boston. They invited Jeremy to join them, but he was still reluctant to repeat the race and carve out time for the hours of training. Besides running for the 605 Running Company from Sioux Falls, Jeremy is also a husband, father to five children,

and works the midnight shift at 3M. While attending an event at his children’s school a few months after the invite, he got the message that his friends had qualified. He decided if they were going, then he’d give Boston another try too.

In the fall of 2017, on the last day to qualify for the race, he made the cut by completing a marathon in Sioux Falls. While he easily beat the qualifying time of 3 hours and 10 minutes with his 2 hours and 39 minute run, his training leading up to the race wasn’t what he had hoped for. A few months before the Sioux Falls run, both his aunt and father-in-law passed away from cancer. He says, “By the time I got to Sioux Falls I just wanted it to be over with. I could have probably run it faster, but with everything that happened that year, it is what it is. I was happy to qualify even though it wasn’t a very good day for me, and knew that now that I was in, I could take a break, refocus, and get ready for Boston.”

The Boston Marathon took place this year on April 16, and at printing time we didn’t have Jeremy’s results. Both times

he ran the race he had the fastest time in the state going in, and his best marathon times are around 2 hours and 26 minutes or 2 hours and 28 minutes. Along with the two Boston Marathons and the one in Sioux Falls, he’s also competed twice in the Chicago Marathon, and once in the Fargo Marathon.

Jeremy grew up in Milbank and started running in 7th grade. He says he wasn’t coordinated enough for football, but found he was good at running, and

Photo by Troy McQuillen

 Competitive runner, Jeremy Van Veen, (center) goes on a training run before the Boston Marathon with friends Dave Derzab (left) and Jeff Larson (right).

 Jeremy running in the Frostbite

Four race this February in Beresford, South Dakota

by 8th grade it had taken off. Throughout high school he held top positions in cross country and track. After high school he and his wife had their first child, and he stayed in Milbank for two years after graduation before going to college at SDSU. He walked on to the SDSU cross country team in 2002, and was a part of their last Division II program that went to nationals before they switched to Division I. Nontraditional students aren’t allowed to compete in Division I, but after being contacted by NSU, he finished his remaining two years of college running in Aberdeen. After college, he decided to take a break from running for a few years. The first time he attempted a marathon was in Fargo, but he was unable to finish the race and ended up dehydrated and in the emergency room. Later, he signed up to run the Sioux Falls Marathon, and as part of his training he ran the half marathon at

the Aberdeen YMCA’s Bull Run. His time there qualified him to run in the elite bracket at the Chicago Marathon, which ended up being one of his first big races after college. Out of the roughly 40,000 runners in Chicago that year, he finished in one of the lead groups with an impressive 53rd place.

Next year Jeremy turns 40, and he plans to run some half marathons and marathons in the masters division for about a year. Afterwards, he wants to keep running, but not at the competitive level. He’s even thought about someday joining the 50 State Club, a group of runners that runs a marathon or longer in every state. “Running races is a good way to get out, socialize, and meet people.” As for community support, he gives credit to the 605 Running Company, Shoe Science in Aberdeen, and also the city of Aberdeen. “Without Shoe Science and the

605 Running Company I wouldn’t have all the shoes and gear needed to run outdoors during all the cold months. I wouldn’t be able to be out here if it weren’t for them. They always go above and beyond. And we’re lucky in Aberdeen because our bike paths are always cleared right away, even in the winter, the city does a great job of keeping those open all the time so people can use them.”

To train for long races, Jeremy follows a workout plan made by his coach, Grant Watley. Most days he’ll do a run in the morning after dropping his kids off at school, and then will put in more miles later in the afternoon before working the night shift. He says multiple things keep him motivated to stick with his busy schedule. “In high school I was always a top runner, but never won a state title. In college I always wanted to go to a national track meet, but never quite qualified. So that fuels me to keep wanting to do this. Plus, now it’s also to show my kids to keep doing what they’re passionate about, and to just succeed and never give up.” //

MAY & JUNE

GO VOTE!

June 5, 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

 Many local and statewide seats are open for election during the June 5 primaries and City Council race. For information on the 2018 elections or voter registration, visit www.sdsos.gov. To find your voting district, head to www.aberdeen.sd.us/.

FAMILY FUN WEEKEND

June 9 and 10, all day

Storybook Land

Free Admission

HUB AREA HABITAT FOR HUMANITY KENTUCKY DERBY PARTY

May 5, 2:00-7:00 PM

Wylie Park Pavilion

$20

 Live music, food and drink, casino games, a beanbag tournament, and of course, the broadcast of the Kentucky Derby, are all happening at this inaugural event. Big hats are strongly encouraged!

HIGHLAND BACKYARD GAMES BY CELTIC FAIRE & GAMES

May 19, 10:00 AM-4:00 PM

Brown County Fairgrounds

Free Admission

 Bring your lawn chair and cheer on athletes as they compete in events like the Hammer Throw, Braemer Stone, and Caber Toss. Learn about the Highland Games and their history, and the upcoming official games in September.

K-5 CHINA SUMMER CAMP

June 4-8, 8:30-11:30 AM

NSU Campus

$40

 Students ages 6-11 will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in Chinese language and culture through games, art, activities, and sports! To register, call 605-626-3293, or email Confucius@northern.edu.

RUN FROM THE POLICE 5K

May 12, 10:00 AM-1:00 PM

Wylie Park

$15-$25 for 5k,

$10 for Junior Run

 The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #4 is hosting their 5k run/ walk fundraiser for the fifth year in a row. A junior run for youth ages 5-12 will also take place around the circle of flags at 9:30 AM. Register early online, or on race day.

ABERDEEN GARDEN PLOTTERS PLANT SALE

June 2, 8:00 AM-12:00 PM 911 11th Ave Northeast

 Shop annuals and perennials from the backyards of the Aberdeen Garden Plotters at their 10th annual plant sale. Proceeds from this year’s sale will go toward developing the children’s area at Aberdeen’s Kuhnert Arboretum.

 Celebrate summer by spending a weekend at Storybook Land. Many family-friendly events are on the schedule, including a princess party in the castle, kids fishing contest, raiders of the lost park treasure hunt, watermelon feed, and more!

DOWNTOWN SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

June 14, 6:00 PM-11:00 PM

Main Street

Free Admission

 Nothing says summer nights like a street dance, so grab your friends and family and head downtown for this free, all-ages concert featuring Avenger Joe. The evening promises to be packed with live music, food, cold beverages, and fun.

ARTS IN THE PARK

June 16, 10:00 AM-6:00 PM

June 17, 10:00 AM-5:00 PM

Melgaard Park

Free Admission

 Spend the weekend shopping, eating, and listening to live musicat the park! Over 120 booths filled with handmade arts and crafts will be on hand, along with plenty of food choices and a variety of entertainment performances.

DIAMONDS IN THE ROUGH LADIES GOLF TOURNAMENT

June 29, 1:30 PM

Moccasin Creek Country Club

$65/person or $130/team

 All lady golfers are welcome to attend this first-ever golf event sponsored by Riddle’s Jewelry. Teams of two will have a shotgun start, followed by a dinner and social hour with live music, vendor booths, and raffles and prizes by Riddle’s.

AQUA ADDICTS WATER SKI SHOWS

Every Thursday in June, 7:00 PM

Dahme Lake

Free Admission

 The Aberdeen Aqua Addicts are kicking off another season with jumps, human pyramids, and other stunts on the water. Everyone is welcome to watch their performances on Thursday evenings in June at Dahme Lake.

A PARTY FOR YOUR TASTE BUDS

Celebrate the warm weather on the patio with friends, family, and an amazing artichoke dip

by TARA SCHIPKE

Great for any occasion, with a hint of jalapeño and plenty of cheese, is this simple artichoke dip. The recipe first came to my attention when my mom found it in a cooking magazine years ago, and it’s been a family go-to ever since. It’s super easy to make, and sure to be the favorite at your next barbecue.

If you want to add protein to this veggie dip, try crab meat. I use about 3/4 cup canned crab that has been strained, but fresh crab will work too. Serve it with crackers, or a sliced baguette that’s been toasted with olive oil.

Finally, pair it with a white wine or a citrus spritzer, and enjoy! //

INGREDIENTS

1 14oz. can artichoke hearts (drained and chopped)

3/4 cup chopped Roma tomatoes

1 8oz. package cream cheese (softened)

1 medium jalapeño pepper (seeded and minced)

1 cup mayo

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

1 tsp. dried dill weed

HOW TO MAKE IT

z Preheat oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit.

z Combine all ingredients.

z Place in a shallow baking dish and bake 35 to 45 minutes, or until heated through and lightly browned.

z Serve with crackers or bread. Yield: 3 1/4 cups.

Photo by Tara Schipke

you can eat these!

REFURNISH, REPURPOSE, RESTORE

by JENNY ROTH

fruit stand used by someone during the Great Depression to make a living, fittingly turned into a comfortable bench for rest. Mugs and canisters that you haven’t seen in years, but look just like the ones that were a staple in your grandmother’s kitchen. A bureau from the 1880s, painted in bold colors and ready to serve its purpose in a new owner’s room. Every object holds a story, and Lynne McCafferty knows that when you restore something old you aren’t just taking care of the item, but are also preserving the memories that go with it. “Memories are gifts people have left us in this lifetime, and what I love the most about this store is that whenever someone comes in here, they get to open those gifts and rest in those memories for a few moments.”

The store she refers to is her Southern Shack Designs, and its new expansion next door, Southern Shack Too, located at 312 and 308 6th Avenue Southwest. Lynne chose a former house as the setting for her venture when she opened in the fall of 2016, and now that house and the building beside it are filled with antiques and vintage items, handcrafted home decor, restored furniture, boutique children’s clothing, and many other handmade goods.

What sets the store apart is that it has so much variety under one roof. Lynne, her husband Mike, and nearly 20 additional craftspeople have their talents on display

Southern Shack Designs puts an exquisite touch on vintage decor

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 Lynne McCafferty shows off some of the handmade wares available at her store, Southern Shack Designs.

at Southern Shack. They all come from different states and backgrounds, and have their own unique styles, but each team member at the store loves history and the creative outlet of crafting. Lynne says she can’t say enough about the people she works with. “Everyone here owns their own individual business, we all have our own key and come in and rearrange or add to our displays anytime, but at the same time we all work together to create custom orders for customers, travel to craft shows, host classes, and plan the store’s future.”

In the last few years, Lynne’s business has taken root in the community and started to flourish. She’ll tell you with a laugh that it all started a bit unexpectedly, with a new sofa and a friendly competition. “I wanted a new sofa, but my husband wasn’t so sure. I’ve done furniture painting and restoring and crafts my whole life, and come from a large, competitive family. So at one point it became a competition, and I told him I’d pay for the sofa with money I earned from my crafts.” She spent a week rounding up and painting used furniture, then posted her finished projects on one of the Aberdeen rummage sale Facebook pages. It all sold, and within a few days she got to buy her new sofa. Restoring furniture soon became something she and her husband were doing together, and with the good response they were getting from customers, they decided to open the store shortly thereafter. They named it Southern Shack Designs as a tribute to Oklahoma, where Lynne is from.

Besides being a cozy place to browse things from the past, Southern Shack also keeps busy with custom orders. If someone finds a piece of furniture and wants help fixing it up, they will repaint it and restore it to the customer’s order. They

also take requests for ‘treasure hunts,’ meaning a customer can contact them with a specific piece they’re looking for, and they’ll go searching for it. And if you have a special occasion, such as a wedding or baby shower, they’ll create decor and photo booths just for your event.

Before she opened Southern Shack, Lynne worked as a counselor and in the mental health field for over 20 years. Her passion for families has inspired the new craft classes for both adults and kids that take place at the store. Their classes are also customized, so participants can choose the project they want to complete, and the store will get the materials, host the class, and take care of cleanup. She says, “We’ve seen a lot of interest in people wanting to choose their own classes and crafts. It’s all about taking custom orders, and getting specifically what the customer wants.”

Lynne adds that combining history, families, and making new relationships with people has been the best part of running her business in a smaller community like Aberdeen. “We’ve made some of the best connections with people at the store. People will come in and just have a cup of coffee and visit sometimes. These good, honest relationships with others mean so much to me and everyone here, and I’ve gotten to know so many friends that I wouldn’t have met otherwise through this business.”//

 Southern Shack Designs and Southern Shack Too are open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Fridays from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Saturdays from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. For more information, find them on Facebook, or call 605-377-4239.

 Cathy Christenson with Finders Keepers (top) and Michelle Bellikka with Vintage Charm (right) are two of the nearly 20 craftspeople who have their own vendor space at Southern Shack Designs.

 Southern Shack Designs, located at 312 6th Ave SW.

A WORK OF HEART THANKING OUR AREA NURSES

by JENNY ROTH | photos by TROY MCQUILLEN

Very few professions require you to take care of others, oftentimes when they are at their worst physically and emotionally, day in and day out. Nurses have to think on their feet, pay attention to detail, and always put their patient’s needs before their own. The job can be tough, but while the challenges are great, so is the reward of being able to make a difference in so many lives every time you come to work.

The founder of modern nursing was Florence Nightingale. She gained attention for organizing nurses during the Crimean War in 18th century Europe, and earned the nickname ‘The Lady with the Lamp’ while making rounds for wounded soldiers in the middle of the night. Nurses and healing care had been around long before Florence’s time, but

she’s credited for her pioneer work and educational role in the field. Her Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, established in 1860, was the first secular nursing school connected with a fully serving hospital and medical school. It still operates in London today as the oldest, and one of the highest ranking, nursing schools in the world.

Every year we recognize the instrumental part nurses play in our society by celebrating National Nurses Week, which starts this year on May 6 and ends on May 12, Florence’s birthday. To thank all the nurses who do an incredible job every day in our community, Karen Stephenson, John Gillick, and KaSara Sutton share what it’s like to be a nurse in Aberdeen, and all the opportunities that come with their career choice.

KAREN STEPHENSON

Karen Stephenson from Redfield has seen a lot in her 35 years as a nurse. She first earned her LPN in 1983 at Lake Area Tech in Watertown, and then eight years ago after her children were grown, she went back to school for her RN at Sisseton-Wahpeton College. “When I first graduated with my LPN, we had to wear the white nursing uniform-white dresses and hose, white shoes, and white nursing cap. Now we wear the ‘Sanford Blues,’

as we call our navy blue uniforms,” she says.

Karen works in the ER at Sanford, a position that is often fast-paced and requires a great deal of critical thinking. “One thing I like about my day is the variety,” she says, “In the ER patients are here usually only about two hours, versus all day in other units, so we see a lot of people each day.” The ER can be full of high emotions and difficult situations, people are coming

in very sick or after an accident, and nurses don’t get to react to the things they see, but have to react on how to handle it and take care of the patient. “When patients come to us they need help and aren’t on the top of their game, so we have to be on the top of ours. If I’m having a bad day it can’t get in the way, because those patients need me.”

Over time she’s learned that an important, and often challenging, part of taking care of others is making time to take care of herself. “I try to have hobbies that allow me to relax, and to do things by myself or with my family and friends that I can enjoy. My drive home from work is also usually my unwind time, it’s when I can digest the day.” Taking care of herself outside of work is how she ensures that she’ll be able to clock in for the next 12 hour shift, ready to put her own needs aside. “I like to hunt, fish, garden, camp, ride motorcycle with my husband, and spend time with my grandkids. These are all the ways I ‘recharge’ my own battery.”

Karen also mentions a big advantage of working in the medical field in Aberdeen. Here, our hospitals offer a wide variety of medical services with more specialties at the local level. This is beneficial not only for the public, but also for the nursing students at Presentation and Northern, because they’re able to complete their internships in town and get exposure to many areas while doing so. “We get to be a part of the shaping of their careers by sharing our experience and knowledge and helping them.” She enjoys working at Sanford because of how everyone jumps in to do everything they can for the patients. Their ER department has won several Press Ganey Awards, which recognize outstanding work environments and patient care. “I’m very proud to be a part of our team,” Karen says.

“If I’m having a bad day it can’t get in the way, because those patients need me.”

ADDING CHEER DAY TO THE WORK

When asked about Avera St. Luke’s, where he’s worked as an ICU nurse since 2000, John Gillick quickly comes up with one word: family. “I’m always happy going to work. We have a lot of teamwork, and everybody pulls together and looks out for each other.” John grew up in Ipswich, and after high school moved to Rapid City to study engineering. What made him change his major and embark on a career in nursing instead? “All the physics classes,” he laughs. But jokes aside, the medical field had always intrigued him. His mother worked as a nurse for over 40 years in Ipswich, and his sister has worked as an OB nurse for 40 years as well. At the time, the School of Mines had a nursing program, so he made the switch and hasn’t looked back. “I didn’t think in high school I was going to be a nurse, but it’s a good field and very rewarding,” he says.

John worked in the open heart unit at the Rapid City Regional Hospital after graduation for four years. Then, he and his wife Lori, a respiratory therapist at Avera, spent time traveling all over the country while working as traveling nurses. After about nine years on the road, they came back to the area they grew up in, and raised their daughter, Ashlea, who is also a nurse in Fargo. John's experience working at bigger hospitals in many different states gives him an even bigger appreciation for the cooperation among coworkers that goes

on at his job in Aberdeen. He says the basics of nursing will always be the same, but that the biggest change he’s noticed in the field over the years is the advances in technology.

Nurses often see people dealing with a lot of anxiety and sadness, and John points out that part of the responsibility of being a nurse is trying to relieve them of that. The ICU is usually a serious place for patients and their families, as well as the staff. To help uplift everyone’s spirits, he tries to bring cheer and humor to the ICU whenever possible. For his efforts toward the well-being of his

patients and coworkers, John received the One Pace Beyond Compassion Award in 2017. To receive the honor, a nurse first has to be nominated by a peer. Then, the Avera Sisters select a candidate who goes on to Sioux Falls, where a winner is chosen amongst all the nominees from all the Avera hospitals. John says he appreciates the award, and that his favorite part of being a nurse is making a difference for his patients. “It’s seeing someone when they first come in and are really sick, to hopefully getting them better, and then seeing them walk out of the hospital.”

JOHN GILLICK

“I’m always happy going to work. We have a lot of teamwork, and everybody pulls together and looks out for each other.”

KASARA SUTTON

WORKING AS A TEAM

To shed light on the ways nurses provide compassion in all kinds of situations, Sanford Medical Surgical Pediatric Unit and Critical Care Nurse, KaSara Sutton, says, “I’ve helped deliver a baby in the same day that I’ve watched a patient pass away. We’re there on someone’s best or worst day, and have to be accommodating in each scenario.” KaSara is an Aberdeen native who comes from a family of health professionals; her grandmother is a nurse, as are six of her cousins. Growing up, she was first inspired

to go into the medical field by her stepgrandfather, who worked as a nurse practitioner. After high school, she moved to Lincoln, Nebraska and finished her first four-year degree. She eventually came back to Aberdeen to take advantage of the accelerated nursing program through SDSU that takes place on the NSU campus. The accelerated program accepts students who’ve earned a four-year degree in any field. After completing the year long, intense coursework, students earn their bachelor’s in nursing. KaSara

is now working toward her master’s degree to be a nurse educator, and teaches clinical and lab skills for the accelerated program. She says, “There’s so much a person can do with a nursing degree. You can work in a hospital or clinic, but also in schools, communities, or as a researcher.”

In her two years with Sanford, KaSara has noticed that in a hospital so many people work together for the good of a single patient, and that good communication is at the root of medicine. Providers, nursing staff, laboratory staff, respiratory staff, and other departments can all be involved in one care plan. “I love the teamwork mentality of the hospital. Everybody is there to make sure that the patient and family have everything they need, not only when they’re in the hospital, but when they go home. We want to make people better, but we also want people to be able to stay home and stay healthy.” One advantage we have in Aberdeen is that the communication doesn’t just stay within the walls of one hospital. She adds, “Avera and Sanford have a good relationship, they both offer different services, and they work together to find patients the services they need here in town versus having to send them elsewhere.”

What KaSara loves about nursing, in addition to the camaraderie she shares with her coworkers, is that every day is different. Each shift she gets to know new patients and families, and hear their stories. “We try to find ways to be there not just medically, but also emotionally, for patients and their families. Being that advocate, or that voice, for our patients is one of the biggest parts of our job.” //

“We try to find ways to be there not just medically, but also emotionally, for patients and their families.”

Aberdeen is Synonymous with Nursing Education

Any article about nurses wouldn’t be complete without a bit of history as to how and why nursing education is synonymous with Aberdeen’s roots. When the Presentation Sisters first set foot in Dakota Territory in 1880 — having just arrived from Ireland — they were tasked with educating the Lakota people and the French settlers. After moving around from 1880 to 1883 to teach along the Missouri River, Deadwood, and Fargo, Reverend Robert Haire invited three sisters to teach at Sacred Heart Parish in Aberdeen in 1886. Aberdeen’s status as a central hub made it the ideal location for the sisters to begin building a legacy of education. In 1901, during a deadly diphtheria outbreak, the sisters were asked to assist the sick. Despite the fact that they were teachers, with little background in medical training, there was a call for help that needed answering,

so they went to work. In 1901, they stopped using their convent to house the sick and opened their first hospital – what Aberdonians know today as Avera St. Luke’s Hospital. The sisters’

involvement with the hospital soon led them to begin their own program to train nurses. They later expanded their nursing education by moving Mitchell’s Notre Dame Junior College to Aberdeen and renaming it Presentation Junior College in 1951. The Presentation campus was built after this time and opened in 1954. // – Troy McQuillen

 Nurses pose in front of St. Luke’s Hospital in 1904, approximately located at what is now the parking areas between the hospital and Kessler’s.

John M. Carrels, DDS

“Ser ving the area for over 36 years!”

Mark R. Bain, DDS

SIMPLY

stylish

Effortless ensembles for Mother’s Day

by JENNY ROTH photos by CHRISTINA SHILMAN

Mother’s Day, like all holidays, is a day to spend with the people you love, and to think of everyone who takes care of life in our world. Spending hours getting dressed isn’t a luxury most on-the-go women have when they’re planning a day with their families, and with the outfits on these pages, you won’t have to. This season’s trends are as easy as pulling on a soft, breezy dress with embroidered details, or stepping into a one-piece jumper in a bright, summery hue. Comfortable fabrics, like soft denim, are dressed up with pearls, and not just on your neck, but at the trim of pockets and sleeves, and as buttons. It’s combinations that are dressy enough for a fancy brunch out, and at the same time fitting for a casual meal around your own table.

Christina Shilman of Paisley Tree Photography captured a few of the gorgeous Mother’s Day fashions trending around town, modeled in the home of Mike and Brittany Merkel of Aberdeen by Brittany and their three children, Zoey, Ezra, and Beau.

We also want to extend a special thank you to Mainstream Boutique and Matilda Jane by Amber Bergeson for supplying clothing, and Nichole Heinz of Lost and Found Occasionals for decorating the Merkel’s home. //

Big sister Zoey, in a dress and long socks by Matilda Jane, hugs her brother, Ezra. Mustard yellow buffet and dream catchers by Lost and Found Occasionals.

Brittany Merkel and children Zoey, Ezra, and Beau, model the latest looks you can expect to see around Aberdeen this Mother’s Day.

White denim pull-on jeans, like these found at Mainstream Boutique, are comfortable and keep any outfit looking clean and fresh.

Five-year-old

models

Jumpers, shown here in black with a beautiful floral pattern, come in a variety of styles and colors and are one of the season’s biggest trends.

Versatile tops, like this one with embroidered details, can be worn on the shoulder or off, leaving room for you to express your own style.

The embroidery trend continues to be gorgeous in spring and summer hues. Zoey models another sweet Matilda Jane look. Kitchen canisters and wreath by Lost and Found Occasionals.

Zoey

bright patterns for summer and fun button accents in a dress by Matilda Jane.

Chambray tops from Mainstream Boutique offer a classic look in the front, with a fun twist in the back.

WHICH

by PATRICK GALLAGHER

If you’ve lived in Aberdeen long enough, you’ve either experienced the old NorthSouth Rivalry firsthand, or you’ve heard about it. While the apparent one-time physical nature of the division seems to have subsided-at least you don’t hear about pranks and fights between North Siders and South Siders-some sense of competition survives.

Whether you live north or south of the railroad tracks seems to mean something. Some see the roots in the two Catholic parishes in town. A century ago, the story goes, the Irish in Sacred Heart Parish, just south of the tracks, looked down on the German parishioners, and the latter persuaded the Bishop to open St. Mary’s Parish a few blocks to the north. That division allegedly colored the whole community, ultimately leading to such social media memes as: “A distinction between North Side society and South Side society,” and “The North Side was the ‘rich’ side and the South Side was ‘poor.’”

It’s not uncommon for the topics of income or home prices in the North and South Sides to come up in conversation, as well as arguments and suspicions about reasons for the differences-sometimes it’s downright conspiratorial. These are often what one generation heard from an earlier one rather than personal experience, but it’s part of the culture.

So is there anything to this? Are there facts behind it? Do North Side residents have more money and live in more expensive homes? In short, before I strangle you with statistics, the answer is yes. But it’s not that simple.

Patchy Pockets of Pay

Generally, income is higher in the North Side, according to the U.S. Census. But first, a couple lessons: Within counties, the Census breaks areas into discrete units: blocks, basically the city blocks on which we live; block groups, which, well, are groups of blocks; and Census tracts, areas that typically include around 1,200 to 8,000 people. Aberdeen has 759 blocks, 23 block groups, and six tracts, but they don’t divide neatly at the tracks-and are usually not methodically drawn.

The following looks primarily at

median values, which give you a number in the middle of a group of numbersthat is, half the numbers are higher and half are lower-rather than the average, which adds all the numbers together and divides the total by how many numbers you have. Averages can be skewed by a few very high or low values. Assume 10 people took a test. Three score 100, and the remaining seven score 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, and 80. The median of 78.5, a number with five scores above and below, gives a better picture of what people know than the average of 83.9, which is almost four points higher than seven of the scores. Google it to get a definition with a higher average number of words.

The two Census tracts covering most of the North Side have the highest median household incomes in the city, and are the only tracts with more than 100% of the 2016 U.S. median of $55,322. The Census tracts with the lowest income are one in the southeast, extending south of the airport, and one in central Aberdeen, including several blocks around 6th Avenue and Main Street. In 1999, the same two North Side tracts were at the top, but only one inched over 100% of the U.S. median of $41,851.

Drilling down, however, the block groups reveal variation. The top 10 groups for income, for example, break down equally, five north and five south. One block group mostly in the northeast quadrant, which starts literally at the railroad tracks on Milwaukee Avenue and goes as far north as Prairiewood, has the city’s highest median household income of $93,917 - 170% of the U.S. median. Another group in the same tract has a median income of $35,063. The group with the second highest income in the city is almost a mirror image of the first, sharing the Milwaukee Avenue boundary but running south of 135th Avenue and mostly east of Dakota Street. Median income there is $85,150 - 154% of the U.S. median. Next to it is the block group with the lowest income in town, $27,381, less than half the U.S. median. In other words, the income picture is pretty patchy.

Valuing Your Venue

What do home values tell us? Do the rich live in more expensive homes? The Census again offers some information. The data here only allow us to compare

2000 and 2016 somewhat reliably; “somewhat reliable” also applies to the Census definition of home value: “the respondent’s estimate of how much the property (house and lot) would sell for if it were for sale” (would you lowball or highball in talking to the Census?). The two North Side Census tracts with the highest income also had the highest median home values in 2016, $172,900 and $169,300. In 2000, they were 1 and 3 on the list, both at less than half their 2016 values. A southeast tract was #2 in 2000, but dropped a spot in 2016 because it only increased 100% in value, while the North Side tracts jumped more than 115%. The center city tract with the second lowest income has the lowest home values at $91,300; it was lowest in 2000 too. Only four block groups are higher than the U.S. median home value, $184,700. The block group with the highest income also has the highest home value at $244,900 - 132.6% of the U.S. median. Two of the remaining three above the national level are also North Side. As with income, however, the top 10 groups for home values are split five on each side of the tracks.

Considering other valuing methods, Amy Frink has been appraising homes in Aberdeen for 20 years. She gave me values for some homes-unidentified except for part of town-appraised a few years apart. The homes on the North Side appreciated more between appraisals than South Side homes. Because the time between appraisals wasn’t the same, I calculated change per year. This showed the North Side homes increasing by at least 3.1% per year, compared to no more than 2.82% on the South Side.

Appraisals are partly based on home sales, so let’s look there. Realtor Nancy Jark gave me home sales reports for a recent one-year period and for 10 and 20 years ago. One set of reports bisected the city north and south, and the other, east and west-so by halves, not our addresses’ quadrants (yes, these halves overlap, for example, combining NE and NW in one case, and in the other NE and SE, but they give us different ways of looking at the city). Historical prices may look a little different than you expect-but they end up there. In 1998, the South Side’s median sales price, $73,000, was higher than the North Side, which actually came in last, but the West Side’s $76,000 topped them all. Ten years later, the North Side had left the other parts of town in the dust, as its median sales

price nearly doubled, to $132,500. In that year, the South Side came in last, at $112,000. In 2017, the highest median sale was again in the north, at $174,500, and the lowest was the west, $147,250. The south was third, $158,000.

Ultimately, all these values have nothing to do with appraisers or real estate agents preferring one side or the other. They respond to their clients. Nancy Jark says, “I rarely get the directive of North Side or South Side only. Clients look for specific types of homes and amenities, then it comes down to other factors, like where do I work, where is the school, having to cross the railroad tracks” (meaning to avoid trains, not people). It’s the buyers who decide what they want and are willing to pay. It’s not called the housing market for nothing. The Catholics might have started it, but it’s the good old American trinity-market, supply, and demand-that really drew the line.

The Price of Everything

As is often the case, the big picture stereotype has truth to it, but when you look more closely, like those old pointillist paintings, the picture gets fuzzy. The North Side broadly makes more money and has more expensive homes, and vice versa in the South, but not everywhere. And is that the whole picture anyway?

The bottom line seems to be a question of value vs. Value. What do you value? I’ve listed lots of dollar amounts here, but there’s a risk in accepting money as the only measure of value. Any of us may want a doctor’s salary, but if we hate the sight of blood, we won’t value the job-we’ll hate it. The value of your home depends on what you put into it-a new kitchen or garage-but also the memories and the life you make in it. //

THE R.D. ALWAY HOUSE

A historic home in caring hands

by TROY MCQUILLEN

hances are if you buy an old, historic home that’s in livable condition, you’re not going to make a ton of money when you resell it. Fortunately, most people who buy homes like these understand this, and invest in the house because they want to be the next stewards and caretakers of a community icon.

Dr. Kenneth Boulton was hired as the dean of fine arts at Northern State University in 2016. When he and his wife, JoAnne Barry, moved to Aberdeen, a historic home was definitely on their radar. Square footage was also a factor for them in their home search because they needed a space that would fit not one, but two, grand pianos. As luck would have it, the Alway House on North Main Street became available. This iconic, Prairie Style house is located in the Highlands Historic District that encompasses three blocks of Main Street homes from 12th

Avenue NE to 15th Avenue NE. Their offer was accepted, and they became the fifth owners of this splendid 1914 house.

JoAnne got to work immediately on her new house by removing boxy radiator covers, decorating, painting walls, updating some doors and light fixtures, and of course, doing some research on the house itself, as she is an avid researcher and historian. She learned about the people who first built the house, found out who the subsequent owners were, and discovered who the architect was. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a famous Prairie School architect, but rather, Aberdeen’s own John William Henry, or J.W. Henry. Henry designed the house and oversaw construction. His name is not one you probably recognize, but Henry is responsible for numerous buildings all over Aberdeen and the region, many of which are still standing. (More about those on page 36.)

When architects Frank Lloyd Wright and Louis Sullivan were developing a style that later became known as Prairie Style, they concerned themselves with design motifs that were carried out throughout a building.

The motif would appear in windows, furniture, walls, woodwork, landscaping, and flooring. In the Alway House, the theme or motif was an arrow, though no one knows why. The arrow appears in a wood screen between the dining room and living room, the staircase, and the stained glass windows in a very unique nook. It isn’t subtle, causing much intrigue. JoAnne has the original blueprints for the house, which do indeed include the arrow motif.

The Alway House is not a huge house. But given the fact it was built in an exclusive part of town, it naturally retained elements of luxury. For instance, there are remnants of a second stairway that would have led up to a small bedroom reserved for the maid. Quite often, service staff would have their own entrances and stairways in old homes to stay out of sight of guests.

 The living room, staircase, and nook are the main areas of the house that really catch your attention. The arrow motif appears several places, perhaps mimicking the letter A for Alway, in the stained glass windows. Current owners have added Prairie Style appropriate lights and address numbers to the exterior.

Photos by Troy McQuillen



JoAnne and Kenneth love to entertain, and due to the NSU connection, they find different age groups respond differently to the unique features of the house. Students are instantly drawn to the nook and quickly plop down on the built-in benches, while adults are drawn to the bookcases and grand pianos. Needless to say, they love showing off this historic landmark. Fortunately for Aberdeen, this house is in wonderful, loving hands that will preserve it into the future. //

Dr. Robert Douglas Alway was a prominent physician in Aberdeen during the early part of the last century. He came to Aberdeen in 1901 and established a practice as an eye, ear, nose, and throat surgeon. He was a major investor of the 1920 Murdy Clinic, built on the corner of Lincoln and Fifth Avenue SE and designed by J.W. Henry. His name also appears in the development of the new Aberdeen Country Club in 1926. He passed away in December 1929.

 THE HOMEOWNERS

For over 28 years, Kenneth Boulton and JoAnne Barry have presented both piano duet and duo concerts throughout the United States and Europe, highlighted by appearances in England, Russia and Germany. They have also recorded music of William Mason on the Naxos label. Enthusiastic advocates of piano ensemble playing, the husband and wife team are in demand for their lecture-demonstrations of four-hand technique and repertoire.

Originally from Seattle, Kenneth received his bachelor’s degree in piano performance from Washington State University, and master’s and doctorate degrees in piano performance from the University of Maryland at College Park. Currently, he is Dean of the School of Fine Arts at Northern State University. His recording, Louisiana–A Pianist’s Journey, was released on the Cambria Masterworks label and nominated for a 2007 Grammy® Award for Best Classical Instrumental Solo without Orchestra.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, JoAnne holds a bachelor’s degree in organ from James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and pursued graduate study in musicology and organ at Radford University, also in Virginia. Following completion of the Master of Library Science at the University of Maryland, she served as archivist for the Philadelphia Orchestra Association from 1990-2004.

Together Kenneth and JoAnne host a piano duet festival in the summer. Students of all ages and piano proficiency are encouraged to participate in this four-day event. The 2018 NSU Piano DuetFest will take place June 4-8, 2018 on the NSU campus. Contact Dr. Kenneth Boulton for more details at 605-626-2497 or email at kenneth.boulton@northern.edu

The current owners of the Alway House are preserving a complete set of blueprints for the home drawn by Aberdeen architect, J.W. Henry.

Photo courtesy of the homeowners

WHERE IS J.W. HENRY?

Iworry that younger generations will disregard people and places from history if information about them is not readily found in a free Google search. In order for something to exist online, someone has to put it there.

For instance, John William Henry is a guy who for whatever reason, came to Aberdeen in 1905, opened an architectural office, and designed a prolific amount of structures that still exist in our world today. His homes and buildings are unique attributes of Aberdeen, and contributed to the city’s quick growth in the early 1900s. But if you search for J.W. Henry on Google, there are zero stories about him. It is possible to find mentions of him on the fee-based specialty sites like Ancestry.com and GenealogyBank. com; however no one has uploaded any material that would shed some light onto

his life journey. We only know he was an Aberdeen architect. Is it critical to know anything further about J.W. Henry? Maybe not. But this lack of content causes two problems. One, future generations may have difficulty researching something beyond a free Google search, and two, what is ultimately found online might not be questioned and perpetually regurgitated, offering no new insight, corrections, or facts because “there’s nowhere else to look” beyond the free search.

Henry’s work is all over Aberdeen and the region. He often designed multiple projects for his clients. One seemed to lead to another. As an example, because of his connection to prominent surgeon and community advocate, Dr. R.D. Alway, Henry designed a home, a medical clinic,

and the Aberdeen Country Club. Most of his commercial warehouse buildings are bland and void of extensive ornament, and some of his downtown buildings reflect a simplified, classical style. On the other hand, his homes often reveal a distinct architectural style, such as Prairie, Bungalow, Craftsman, or Classical Revival. Because no one wrote about Henry, there have been no clues left about his architectural philosophies.

I first became aware of J.W. Henry when I purchased the building on the corner of Main Street and 5th Avenue (423 S. Main). The building came with a completely intact set of drawings, not blueprints, of

 The First National Bank Building, designed by J.W. Henry, was completed in 1906 on the corner of Main Street and Second Avenue SE. It still stands across from the Red Rooster Coffee House. Henry and his partner, J.H. Jeffers, started an Aberdeen-based architecture firm here on the second floor after relocating from Wausau, WI, to Aberdeen in 1905. This picture is dated 1924.

An Aberdeen architect whose work is everywhere. But he isn’t. by TROY MCQUILLEN

the building. It was built in 1917 as the F.C. Harms Block (a block is a multi-floor building with multiple purposes/uses, like commercial and residential) and featured a fur store and a piano store. I started running into Henry’s name when I expressed interest in other buildings and houses around town that had unique character.

JoAnne Barry, current owner of the Henry-designed Alway House with Dr. Kenneth Boulton, has tracked Henry through Census and ancestry data. She reports the research results were sketchy and sometimes inconsistent. Renee Graff, owner of the Firey House on the corner of Arch and 5th Avenue SE, which Henry remodeled, provided me with a 1912 letter to

John Firey from Henry. Henry’s letterhead includes a listing of 31 Aberdeen homes and business buildings and 43 buildings and homes across the Midwest that he had designed up to that point. Late in my research I reached out to the State Historic Preservation Office in Pierre. I was thrilled to learn that they keep a running inventory on many regional architects and did have an extensive file on Henry-designed buildings. He seemed to have worked on nearly every significant commercial project in Aberdeen from downtown to Northern’s campus, and dozens and dozens of houses in between.

An interesting form of research emerged with this project. I posted Henry’s obituary on a Facebook group operated by the

1 The Farrell House, built on North Lincoln Street cc. 1912, is a great Craftsman Style shingle home. An addition was added before this 1958 photo was taken.

2 This home still exists beside the Farrell House on North Lincoln. An exact date is not known but it, like the Farrell House, uses shingles extensively and the windows and roof patterns are similar to those on the Aberdeen Country Club.

3 The Aberdeen Country Club was designed in 1926, some years after the original 1913 club house burned down near Wylie Park. This was demolished in 2002 and became Rolling Hills Estate. Dr. R.D. Alway was on the board of directors, which probably contributed to Henry’s involvement.

4 Henry designed Spafford Hall on NSU’s campus in 1926 (on the left). At the time, it was known as the Physical Education Building. It contained a gym and a spot for a swimming pool that was not completed by the time the building opened due to a lack of funding, but was, however, ultimately added. This building is built in a similar shape to Krikac directly beside it. However, Krikac was built 18 years earlier. Henry was responsible for several other NSU projects including substantial expansions to the Central Building (which was destroyed by fire in 1961).

magazine American Bungalow asking if anyone in the historic bungalow world had heard of him. Interestingly, people went to work searching for me. One group member found articles in different newspapers than what I had access to. In 1939, Henry was listed as the vice president of the South Dakota Society of Engineers, and in 1946, he resigned from a position on the state board of engineering and architectural examiners. While doing a Google search, I happened upon a fact some 20 pages into the search (who ever clicks past one or two pages of Google results?). It was a text-based website with content from a newspaper called the Bayard Advocate. In a 1914 issue, it states that Aberdeen, SD, architect, J.W.

1 Designed and built in 1906 by Henry (and no doubt his partner, Jeffers), the Dakota Farmer Building (on the right) is one of Aberdeen’s more distinct downtown buildings. It only housed the Dakota Farmer magazine operation for five years before it was abandoned for a new, bigger shop at 1216 S. Main. This photo is from 1911 and shows the Elks Lodge as the main tenant.

2 Long gone are several warehouse buildings designed by Henry. Many were located directly on the railroad tracks near Railroad Avenue. Jackson Hardware (shown), Ward Bros. Candy Factory, Gamble-Robinson Fruit Co., and Aberdeen Wholesale Grocery were all designed and built a bit before 1907. All have been demolished.

3

One block west of the Murdy Clinic is the F.C. Harms Block on the corner of Main Street and Fifth Avenue S.E. Henry designed this commercial/residential building, built in 1917 as a piano and fur shop. Many may remember it as Coast To Coast and Jorgensen’s Men’s Shop before it became the Boston Fern, then Lily’s. This building is currently the home of Aberdeen Magazine and McQuillen Creative Group.

4 This is where J.W. and Margaret Henry lived while in Aberdeen. It’s at 1012 North Lincoln. It’s unclear if Henry designed it, but it does have a lot of his Craftsman Style appointments. The fascia on the gables are very wide and unique, unlike anything else in Aberdeen.

5

In 1920, J.W. Henry built this attractive building known as the Murdy Clinic alongside Lincoln Hospital on the corner of Lincoln and Fifth Avenue S.E. Henry’s involvement was no doubt due to the fact that his residential client, Dr. R.D. Alway (builder of the Alway home in the Highlands District on North Main, see previous pages) had a major stake in the clinic and moved his surgery practice into it when completed. Other physicians taking up practice included Dr. R.L. Murdy, Dr. A.E. Holms, and Dr. Den B. Rice. This building has been converted to apartments and continues to be owned by the Murdy family. The doors inside the clinic are similar to the front foyer door in the Alway House.

Henry, returned to the town in which he was raised to inspect the high school he designed. So all we can deduce from this is that he was raised in Bayard, Iowa.

Henry is mentioned a lot in Aberdeen newspapers from the time he and his partner arrived in Aberdeen from Wausau, WI, in 1905 to 1935 (discovered using a feebased online service). After that, the next mention of him is his obituary in 1955. He died in his home in Long Beach, CA, but was brought back to Aberdeen to be buried

next to his wife at Riverside Cemetery. According to his tombstone, he was 83 years old, but according to his obituary, he was 72. His wife was a Canadian woman named Margaret McDaniel. They married in St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Aberdeen on November 8, 1910. She died in 1951. His obituary and Census information affirm the couple maintained a house here on North Lincoln until Margaret passed away.

One of the first mentions of Henry in an Aberdeen newspaper is the church

reports. Under the Baptist church, he was listed as having played the clarinet the previous Sunday. We also know he played in golf tournaments, and that his wife was involved in at least one maternal society. This is literally all the personal information I can find.

Lastly, so far in my searches, I haven’t found a photo of John William Henry. Perhaps one will show up someday. If so, I’ll be sure and get it added to the World Wide Web. If you have some old blueprints with J.W. Henry’s name on them, let me know. I’d love to see them and add them to the growing catalog of his work. //

Several people helped me with the research for this story. Thanks to Sarah Swenson and Becky Desens of the Brown County Office of Equalization, Renee Graff, JoAnne Barry, Joe and Linda Van De Rostyne, Chris Nelson at the S.D. State Historical Society, NSU Archivist, Sarah Jones, and the staff at the K.O. Lee Aberdeen Public Library.

GIFTS THAT

The future is bright for Beadle Floral & Landscaping

by JENNY ROTH

BLOOM

“It was like poetry.” That’s how Jennifer Fleming describes what it was like watching the employees at Beadle Floral & Landscaping as they fulfilled orders on Valentine’s Day, one of their busiest holidays. This Valentine’s Day rush was a first for Jennifer, but Floral Designers, Annette Feiock and Jackie Hubert were eager to share the knowledge and expertise that they’ve acquired in their decades with the company. “They’re amazing. The number of flower arrangements that went out that day, and the way it all happened, was like clockwork. I was in awe,” Jennifer adds.

Last December, Jim and Bev Beadle made it possible for a new chapter to begin in the business they’ve owned for 46 years when they passed Beadle Floral & Landscaping into the hands of Andy and Jennifer Fleming. The Flemings are the third family to own the company, which was founded over 70 years ago by the Koch family as Koch’s Greenhouse, and then purchased by the Beadles in the early 1970s as Beadle Floral & Nursery. It was the establishment’s family-friendly

 The new co-owner of Beadle Floral & Landscaping, Jennifer Fleming, and former owner, Bev Beadle.

 New co-owners Jennifer and Andy Fleming are striving to make the retail space a unique shopping experience with gifts and home decor not found elsewhere in the area.

 Russ Beadle will continue to serve as landscape and hardscape desinger.

Photos by Troy McQuillen

 New co-owner, Andy Fleming, and north store employee, Kristi Ruhnke

 Annette Feiock, floral designer

 Floral Designers Kerma Reshetar and Jackie Hubert

atmosphere that attracted the Flemings, who have four children. They’re excited to have their three sons, Jonah (14), Nolan (12), and Ethan (9), helping out at the store and a part of their new adventure. Their oldest daughter, Samantha, lives in Colorado. “We’re having a kid’s day at the store in June that our boys will be involved in. We also hope to bring Simon Says Give to Aberdeen, the nonprofit our kids started in Sioux Falls that provides birthday parties to children in need,” Jennifer explains.

The Fleming’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident, as is their passion for handing those values down to their kids. The prospect of owning Beadles brought the family from Sioux Falls to Aberdeen just a few months ago. Before that, they owned other businesses, including a real estate and property management company for 15 years. Lifelong hobbyists and gardeners, they say Beadles has given them a solid foundation to take the things they enjoy doing and jump into business. “We really admire what Jim, Bev, and their team have built here. When we started coming to town and talking to folks, everyone knew Beadles right away, and it was wonderful to hear such positive things about a long-term staple in the community.”

Andy and Jennifer also emphasize that they are just a small part of a company filled with talented people. Jim and Bev plan to work with them and continue helping with customers, and their well-known landscaping team leaders, Russ Beadle and Kim Kettering, are also staying on board. Of the landscaping team, Andy says, “I think what we’re really known for is the skill and art that Russ and Kim bring to people’s yards through landscapes and hardscapes. They are truly talented and masters of their craft.” Altogether, the business has about a dozen full and part-time employees, plus extra seasonal help during the busy summer months.

Beadle Floral & Landscaping has two locations. Their south store, 906 S. 8th Street, is open year round and houses home decor and a floral and garden center. Just past Wylie Park, at 12849 386th Avenue, is their north location, where they have their larger garden center with most of their trees and shrubs, and are open from April until mid-November. They want to expand their north store this year by adding some new features to it, like fresh floral and home decor. This space is also their main growing center, and another thing the Flemings say they are proud of is that all of Beadle’s plants are homegrown. “Everything is grown on site, nothing is shipped in. So we’re able to have bigger, healthier plants.”

The business really has so many components that work together seamlessly. They have landscaping and full-service floral services, a garden center, and home decor, as well as host various home and gardening classes for the public to try their hand at things like soap making, or combining succulents with fairy gardens. At their open house in March, Jennifer says many people were surprised to see the unique selection of home and gift items that they carry. “We have so many pretty lamps and wall art pieces, wedding and baby gifts, and all these colorful fabrics and linens. Our goal is to bring to Aberdeen all those things that customers want to put in their homes and enjoy and have difficulty finding.”

The people in Aberdeen have also made a lasting impression on the Flemings as they get started in their new business. Jennifer says, “Everyone has been so amazing, people go out of their way to help you, give you advice, and to share ideas. We’re so thankful, and I can’t say enough about the integrity, generosity, and welcoming spirit of this community. Aberdeen has truly made us feel at home.” //



To learn more about Beadle Floral & Landscaping, visit www.beadlefloral.com, or find them on Facebook at GrowWithBeadle. For information on Simon Says Give, head to www.SimonSaysGive.org.

Kristi Ruhnke, Mike Richey, and Kelly Richey are the professional greenhouse growers on staff.

 Kim Kettering handles landscaping and hardscaping with creative solutions appropriate to our climate.

SOIL TO SOUL

Aberdeen gardeners use their green thumbs for a good cause

by JENNY ROTH

here’s something remarkable about putting your hands in the dirt and growing a work of living, colorful art. This is especially true after our long South Dakota winters, when the return of flowers and plants is often a welcome sight. There are many flower beds and gardens to enjoy in Aberdeen, and it’s likely that some of these that you’ve passed by and appreciated have been planted by the Aberdeen Garden Plotters Club.

The club started out with about 10 members, most of whom worked together at Parkview Nursery. “It’s definitely a social gardening group. We all like plants and have gardens, and enjoy getting together,” says one of the club’s founding members, Renita Kainz. This was back in the fall of 2006, and today club members still meet at each other’s homes to share meals, swap ideas, and work on craft projects. In the summer months, they gather inspiration by visiting yards around town that they admire. Renita says, “We’ve seen new plants and ideas, and ways to put plants together, by walking through others’ yards and seeing what they do.”

Over the years, the club has taken an active role in maintaining garden plots in Aberdeen. They’ve helped the Salvation Army by maintaining flower beds in front of the building and ringing the bell during the holidays, and worked with the City Forestry Department in their Trash to Trees program. But the main project that they’ve taken under their wing for the past decade has been helping to develop the Kuhnert Arboretum.

To date, they’ve raised more than $17,000 dollars for the Arboretum through their annual plant sale. Held on the first Saturday in June in Renita’s yard, the plant sale is one any experienced or novice gardener doesn’t want to miss. All of the plants in the sale come from the yards of Garden Plotter members, and most things are priced between two and eight dollars. Club member Deb Bures explains, “Every spring we go through our own yards, and there’s always lots of plants that need to be thinned out, divided, or moved, and so we use those in our fundraiser.” This June, they’ll be celebrating their sale’s tenth anniversary. Their funds have been used to sponsor trees, a concrete bench, and a sculpture at the entrance to the children’s garden, as well as to plant and maintain perennial beds. They plan to put this year’s earnings toward the further development of the children’s garden.

The club first got involved in supporting the Arboretum after listening to a presentation by City Forester, Aaron Kiesz, at one of their meetings. Renita explains the importance of the Arboretum to Aberdeen by saying, “An Arboretum is different than a regular park because it’s also an educational experience. Trees, plants, and shrubs are all labeled so visitors can identify them.” Deb adds, “The city plans to showcase a lot of trees and plants that are native to our region.” During their plant sales, the Garden Plotters have noticed that there’s a lot of curiosity in the area about gardening and plants. “People will come through our sale and we talk to them about things like annuals versus perennials, or plants that grow best in shade versus sun, and how to mix and match all of those things,” Deb says.

It’s been said that there are no gardening mistakes, only

experiments. If you ask the Garden Plotters, they’ll tell you that they’ve learned the art of growing through a lot of trial and error. They love gardening for what they warmly refer to as the ‘dirt therapy’ it provides. Renita’s mother sparked her interest in plants when she was a child, and that, combined with the years of on the job training that she acquired while working in nurseries, has grown her delight in the hobby. She says, “There’s really no rhyme or reason to what I plant. If I like it, I plant it. If it grows it grows, and if not I move it and grow something new in that spot. It’s a process of finding what works.” When Deb and her family moved into their current home in Aberdeen 18 years ago it had a shade yard, which inspired her to think outside the box and find plants that grow best with little sunlight. Her neighbor also happens to be a member of the Garden Plotters, and one thing led to another until she had fixed up both her front and back yards. Along the way she learned a lot about growing shade loving plants, and currently has over 100 different types of hostas, as well as a variety of other shade plants, in her gardens. She says, “This sharing of ideas and tricks to the trade with gardeners of all levels is exactly what the Aberdeen Garden Plotters are all about.” //

 The annual Aberdeen Garden Plotters plant sale is scheduled for Saturday, June 2, from 8:00 AM to noon at 911 11th Avenue Northeast. For more information, search Aberdeen Garden Plotters on Facebook.

 Members of the Aberdeen Garden Plotters Club make outdoor crafts and gifts at one of their meetings.

 Plants from their own yards are used to raise funds for the Kuhnert Arboretum at the Garden Plotter’s annual plant sale.

Photo by Troy McQuillen

HOMESTEADS, RAILROADS, AND CHANGE IN BROWN COUNTY’S FIRST CITY

by MIKE MCCAFFERTY photos provided by MIKE WIESE

n 1862, the Homestead Act was passed into law by Congress, opening up more than 270 million acres of public land to anyone, including women and immigrants, who had applied for citizenship, who had not taken up arms against the U.S. Government. The deal was simple; find the 160 acres of land you wanted, stake it out, file a claim, put up a structure, and it was yours free of charge. In all, 1.6 million homesteaders received free land, most of which was located west of the Mississippi River. At the time of the establishment of this act, Chief Drifting Goose still controlled the James River Valley, and those who would venture in were persuaded to leave. Because of this, the James River Valley in what is now Brown County stayed void of settlement until the fall of 1878, when Drifting Goose and his people were escorted back to the Crow Creek Reservation by troops from Fort Thompson. After that, settlers started to slowly move in.

CLAIMING THE FIRST SETTLEMENT

n June 15, 1879, with Drifting Goose now living on the Crow Creek Reservation, a man by the name of Byron M. Smith brought a group of settlers from Minneapolis to settle at the junction of the Elm and James Rivers. He also personally brought in wagon loads of lumber and supplies to build a store. Mr. Smith was financially backed with “scrip” issued for the Lake Pepin Reserve in Minnesota, which he had obtained with the assistance of his friend, J.B. Bottineau, who was a Minnesota notary public.

When they arrived at their chosen spot, they discovered that a group of men from Spencer, Iowa, had already laid claim to the area and were building a dam. With his financial backers, Smith proceeded to buy the rights to the land from the Iowans for $1,700. He then, along with John Brigham, Melvin Baldwin, Martin James, and William Townsend, recorded the first official land deeds of what was to become Brown County. This also became the first settlement in the county, and as a result, others began moving into the James River Valley to stake claims.

Twelve days after Smith and his group arrived, on June 27, 1879, President Rutherford B. Hayes created the Drifting Goose Reservation in southern Brown and northern Spink counties. By fall, Drifting Goose had returned with 104 of his people, only to find the area occupied by settlers who were living in the cabins he had built and refusing to leave. Initially he camped near them, but as winter came he moved his people closer to Sisseton. During this winter of 1879-1880, Drifting Goose visited with government agents in Washington D.C., about the situation, but realizing the government would do nothing to remove the settlers on his reservation, he knew his homeland was gone forever. He negotiated with President Hayes to give up his land for additional supplies. On July 13, 1880, President Hayes revoked the reservation designation and Drifting Goose returned to Crow Creek, where he lived until his death in 1909.

After Drifting Goose had left for good, homesteaders flocked to the area. Soon, in addition to the five land deeds recorded by

Smith and friends mentioned previously, nine more were recorded, totaling 14 deeds laying claim to 600 acres at this site. In November of 1879, the Richmond Township Company was formed by the new arrivals, and Smith and the others sold their land holdings to this company for $20,000. That was a huge sum of money for the time. In today’s economy, it would be equivalent to $460,000! With the purchase, the town was named Richmond after the newly formed company. Shortly thereafter, they applied for approval of being a post office site. At the time, a stage postal route had been established from Firesteel (north of current day Isabel) to Jamestown through Columbia. In the application, the town name was changed to Columbia, after the highly popular patriotic song of the time called “Hail Columbia.” John B. James was recognized as the first postmaster of Columbia, but not officially until post office status was granted on February 12, 1880. The site of Yorkville was also designated as a post office at this time.

The town name was changed to Columbia, after the highly popular patriotic song of the time called “Hail Columbia.”

THE ARRIVAL OF THE RAILROAD

ith the railroads now moving rapidly east from Watertown, and Drifting Goose and his people gone, Columbia was betting that their growing town where the two waterways met would service the main rail lines to the west and become a railroad hub. Settlers believed in that “bet” too, and continued to arrive hoping to cash in on the impending economic boom. The railroads fueled this belief by telling Columbia they indeed wanted them to be the main railroad crossing point on the James River.

Two of the many new settlers to Columbia were William H. Wood and B.H. Randall, who brought with them a good number of wagons loaded with lumber and supplies to build the Howland Hotel. With the hotel construction in progress, the owner and hotel namesake, Mr. Howland, arrived in May of 1880 with supplies to finish and operate the hotel. However, the spring of 1880 was exceedingly wet, and as a result, many residents became ill. On June 2, 1880, Mrs. Howland arrived with the family’s two-year-old son, Henry. The hotel was nowhere near complete, and not suitable for housing, so a very crude shanty was erected to house them which provided little shelter from the continuous rains. Little Henry became ill and died within two weeks of their arrival. He was the first recorded death in what was to become Brown County.

Brown County was organized in Columbia on September 14, 1880. Afterwards, things moved rapidly for the next two years. In 1882, the dam that the original homesteaders from Iowa had begun building in 1879 was completed on the James River, creating Lake Columbia. On the dam, a three-story flour mill was built using the dam water releases for power. There were also four churches in the town.

In 1881, the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (often referred to as the Milwaukee Road) was knocking on Columbia’s door. They wanted to cross the James there with a line coming from Bristol. The Townsite Company of Columbia knew the Milwaukee Road was

a big dog in railroad systems, and that if they came through Columbia so would the others, so they got greedy. They told the Milwaukee Road they would need a rightof-way payment and the construction of a draw bridge to accommodate the growing river boat traffic. The Milwaukee Road said no thanks. They decided to build the line further south, through what is now Aberdeen.

As a result, railroad lines built in 1881 to 1883 were as follows: The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad built a line in 1881 from Bristol to Groton to

Bath to Aberdeen, another line in 1881 from Ashton to Warner to Aberdeen to Westport to Fredrick to Ellendale, and a line in 1883 from Aberdeen to Mina to Ipswich.

The Chicago and North Western (also known as Dakota Central) Railroad built a line in 1881 from Ordway Junction in Beadle County to Mansfield to Warner to Aberdeen to Ordway, and a line in 1882 from Ordway to Columbia. As you can see, four lines ran to or through Aberdeen, and only one went to Columbia. Aberdeen was thus created as the Hub City, but that’s another story.

Columbia was betting that their growing town

… would service the main rail lines to the west and become a railroad hub.

THE CITY OF COLUMBIA

espite the decision by the railroads to build to the south, the city of Columbia was still growing, as people believed that the prosperity and growth of this city could not be overlooked. By 1883, two steamer boats were moving goods and passengers on the James River from Columbia north to Jamestown. They were named the Nettie Baldwin and the Fannie L. Peck. Sailboats and yachts also began appearing on Lake Columbia. The town contained four banks, two general stores, a courthouse, a school taught by their first teacher, George B. Daly, a railroad roundhouse and turntable in anticipation of becoming the fast advancing railroad

hub, a grocery store, the four-story Grand Hotel, a meat market, a drug store, a dray service, two jewelry stores, a men’s clothing/ furnishing store, a machinery business, several saloons, several rooming houses, a novelty store, a grocery store, a number of blacksmith shops, two doctors, four lawyers, a newspaper called the Columbia Sentinel published by C.E. Baldwin, and the Columbia Business College created by Professor Hildebrandt. Columbia was also the county seat, and the county fairgrounds and race track were built to the north and east of town. It was a huge trade center, attracting business from a radius of 40 miles from the city in all directions.

The town thrived for a few more years, but then things turned tough in a hurry. Communities along the railroad routes that were constructed between 1881 and 1883, that all but excluded the city of Columbia, began flourishing in their own rights, taking business away from Columbia. Other towns that were cropping

up during this time, many created by railroad townsite companies, were Yorkville, Rondell, Bath, Detroit, Dodge, Huffton, Gem, Shelby, Merna, Lansing, Pectoria, Brainard, Liberty, Santa Clara, Chatham, Savo, Moody, and Bern.

By 1886, the railroad routes expanded again as follows: The Chicago and North Western Railroad built a line in 1886 from Columbia to Houghton to Hecla to Oakes, North Dakota, giving the city of Columbia a small ray of hope, and in 1887 built a line to the south from Verdon to Ferney to Groton. The Great Northern Railroad (previously known as the St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Manitoba) built a line in 1886 from North Dakota to Claremont to Huffton to Putney to Plana to Aberdeen, completely shutting Columbia out.

In 1887, Columbia lost the county seat to Aberdeen, and river shipping was abandoned by most for railroad shipping. Panic spread as people and businesses scrambled to minimize their losses. Entire city blocks of this once sprawling, growing town literally disappeared. Businesses, buildings, and homes were either moved elsewhere, or dismantled for materials. The once magnificent courthouse was used as a school by the remaining residents until 1910.

The use of automobiles further assisted in Columbia’s demise. Travel to other towns, particularly to Aberdeen for needed goods, led to more businesses closing. This, coupled with numerous drought years resulting in major crop failure, added to the population exodus. Several large fires also took a heavy toll on Columbia. Two in particular stand out. A fire that occurred in 1914 took out a full city block that included the courthouse, a hotel, a mercantile, a hardware store, and several other businesses, leaving nothing but ashes and rubble.

The final nail was the fire in 1925 that destroyed four farmer’s elevators and the depot. Area farmers who could not settle their debts, as well as other men of means and businessmen, just disappeared overnight, leaving the community with a bonded debt of close to $14,000, which was not retired for many years.

Over the years businesses and families have come and gone, leaving the city of Columbia the small and quiet town we know and love today. //

A fire that occurred in 1914 took out a full city block that included the courthouse, a hotel, a mercantile, a hardware store, and several other businesses

 A Grand Plan to Win The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) was rapidly laying tracks west from Ortonville into the area of South Dakota in 1879 (shown in orange). They wanted to connect Bristol with Columbia as they intended to head northwest toward Bismarck. Due to Columbia’s expensive demands for right-of-way, the railroad bypassed Columbia. A competing railroad, the Chicago and North Western was heading north and a settlement popped up called Grand Crossing in anticipation of the Milwaukee Road intersecting at that point. The Milwaukee Road superintendent diverted the plans and angled the line a mile or two north of Grand Crossing to an unclaimed area, filed a land claim under his own name, bought a bunch of land in a slough, and called it Aberdeen. Buildings already built in Grand Crossing were moved up to Aberdeen. Grand Crossing vanished instantly, Columbia was severely handicapped.

Map by Troy McQuillen

 A vision that never happened This 1883 map of Columbia was probably a combination of what was already on the ground and what was planned for the future. Economic and physical disasters pretty much thwarted this vision, ending Columbia’s plan to be a capital city. As you may know, there is no lake there now, but there was. Many stories exist of the riverboats mooring there on their journey up and down the James River. It’s interesting to note that this map was drawn by an interesting fellow named W.P. Butler. He was one of the first mapmakers to draw all the railroad lines emanating from Aberdeen, and thusly defining it as the Hub City. He came to Aberdeen in 1881, as things were just getting started. There is a complete story about him in Don Artz’s book, A Souvenir of Aberdeen The Railroad Hub of the Dakotas. The late Mr. Artz writes in his dedication to Butler, “…Walter Percy Butler deserves to be remembered as the man who put the Hub City on the map.”

SWIMMING SAFELY

Lake and pool weather is here! But before you head out the door with your sunglasses and towel, check out the following tips from the Aberdeen YMCA on how to stay safe in the water.

by JAYNIE SPIER

In South Dakota, many of us live for the long, sunny days of summer. It’s that time of year when kids can run free from school, but their activities don’t slow down. There are more walks to the park, bike rides, driveway basketball games, and of course, trips to the lake or pool. Just like you wouldn’t want to send your kids on their bikes without their helmets, or to a softball game without their bat and a bag of sunflower seeds, there are also a few key things to remember when gearing up for a day on the water.

s FIRST AND FOREMOST, DON’T FORGET THE SUNSCREEN! While this is not exactly a water safety rule, it is a big part of having fun while we spend our time outside this summer. Many throw caution to the wind and end up with a sunburn on the first day it hits 70 degrees. Everyone knows the tingling sensation and chills that run through the body in the evening after getting a pink tint to their skin. And there’s nothing worse than ruining a long weekend at the lake by struggling to keep the tender skin covered and missing out on beach bumming with family or friends. Apply the sunscreen, wear the hat, or play in the shade, and remember: too much sun is no fun!

s ALWAYS SWIM WITH A BUDDY No matter your age or skill level, you should pair up when getting in the water. A swimming buddy will be able to call for help if you run into problems, or assist you, depending on their skill levels. If there’s a group swimming, buddy up and designate one individual to watch over the younger swimmers without distraction. The buddy system helps to ensure safety for all swimmers.

s WEAR A PROPERLY FITTED LIFEJACKET. This is especially important while swimming in open water, or riding in a boat. Lifejackets can help you if there’s a boating incident, a current that pulls you, or if you get tired while swimming. A lifejacket and the swimming buddy system keep little paddlers safe around open water.

s LISTEN TO YOUR LIFEGUARDS. To remain safe when at the pool or a guarded facility, you cannot overlook the importance of listening to your lifeguards. Every rule the facility has in place has been put there with the foremost thought of your safety. If you ever are told a rule and wonder what its purpose is, ask the lifeguard or manager. They are there to protect you, and the more informed you are on why rules are in place, the safer the pool area becomes!

The staff at the Aberdeen Family YMCA Aquatic Center is a great resource for water safety. Their year-round swim lessons teach both kids and adults the tools they need to be smart, and have fun, while in the water. //

 For more information, contact the YMCA at 605-225-4910, or visit www.aberdeenymca.org.

Photo by Troy McQuillen