Campbell Park Historic District of Huron
Roughly bounded by 5th, 7th, 9th, Wisconsin, California, Kansas, and Dakota Sts., Huron, SDThe history of Huron, South Dakota, began when Marvin Hughitt became manager of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad in 1875. Hughitt planned to extend the railroad into the central region of the Dakotas in order to persuade businessmen and farmers to settle along or near the tracks. The formation of the Dakota Central Railroad Company, a branch of Northwestern, on May 16, 1879, led to the creation of the city of Huron. Hughitt chose a location fifty miles north of Mitchell on the west bank of the James River to be the central headquarters of the railroad. Early settlers and speculators began to migrate to the area and on June 25, 1880, the first locomotive entered the town that had only nine buildings. With the arrival of the railroad, immigrants began arriving in greater numbers. The railroad established Huron and was Huron's hope for prosperity.
One month after the railroad arrived, the county of Beadle was organized with the county seat located in Huron. The rapid development of Huron and the citizen's desire for greatness led to the attempt to secure the territorial and state capitol of Huron. The battles for the capital occurred in 1883, 1885, 1889, and 1890. The city government and the citizens of Huron spent a great amount of money on bonds. With the final election in 1890, the mandate was Pierre, not Huron. The capital fight and the failure fiscally destroyed the city's growth and stabilization would not occur until 1900.
The creation of Huron by the railroad was the high point of Huron's history. The Northwestern gave the city a unique status in the sense of the type of people who came to live in Huron and on the railroad's control of the city. The district itself had several boarding houses such as 85 6th Street, SW, which housed many railroad workers. There were over twelve homes in the district where railroad workers lived. Any major industry is vital to a small town and Chicago and Northwestern were a dominating force in Huron.
The low point of Huron's history was the disastrous capital fights. This halted the growth of Huron until the early years of the twentieth century. The town began to grow again around 1900 after a slow financial recovery. The district reflects this recovery with over fifty-four percent of the structures being built between 1900 and 1911. The architecture in the Campbell Park Historic District reflects the middle-class type of homes that typify Huron itself. The architecture of the district is usually practical with few elaborate homes. Architecture is supposed to mirror the type of community and the people who lived in the area. This district's architecture reflects the middle-income and turn-of-the-century town.
One month after the railroad arrived, the county of Beadle was organized with the county seat located in Huron. The rapid development of Huron and the citizen's desire for greatness led to the attempt to secure the territorial and state capitol of Huron. The battles for the capital occurred in 1883, 1885, 1889, and 1890. The city government and the citizens of Huron spent a great amount of money on bonds. With the final election in 1890, the mandate was Pierre, not Huron. The capital fight and the failure fiscally destroyed the city's growth and stabilization would not occur until 1900.
The creation of Huron by the railroad was the high point of Huron's history. The Northwestern gave the city a unique status in the sense of the type of people who came to live in Huron and on the railroad's control of the city. The district itself had several boarding houses such as 85 6th Street, SW, which housed many railroad workers. There were over twelve homes in the district where railroad workers lived. Any major industry is vital to a small town and Chicago and Northwestern were a dominating force in Huron.
The low point of Huron's history was the disastrous capital fights. This halted the growth of Huron until the early years of the twentieth century. The town began to grow again around 1900 after a slow financial recovery. The district reflects this recovery with over fifty-four percent of the structures being built between 1900 and 1911. The architecture in the Campbell Park Historic District reflects the middle-class type of homes that typify Huron itself. The architecture of the district is usually practical with few elaborate homes. Architecture is supposed to mirror the type of community and the people who lived in the area. This district's architecture reflects the middle-income and turn-of-the-century town.
Bibliography
Huron Directories: 1886-87; 1905-06; 1913-14; 1926-27.
Kingsbury, George W. History of Dakota Territory, Volume I. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915.
Plummer, Steven B. Huron, South Dakota 1800-1900: Economic and Political Determinants. University of South Dakota Masters Thesis. 1970.
Kingsbury, George W. History of Dakota Territory, Volume I. Chicago: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company, 1915.
Plummer, Steven B. Huron, South Dakota 1800-1900: Economic and Political Determinants. University of South Dakota Masters Thesis. 1970.
Commerce; Transportation; Politics/government; Architecture; Community Planning And Development; Entertainment/recreation; Religion
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1974.
About National Register Listings
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Lewis and Clark expedition, which explored much of the western United States in the early 19th century, passed through what is now South Dakota.
About Beadle County
Beadle County Timeline
Beadle County, South Dakota, was established on January 8, 1879, and named in honor of William H. Beadle, a Dakota Territory legislator. The region that would become Beadle County was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Sioux. The area saw significant change with the arrival of European settlers in the mid-19th century, as they established homesteads and agriculture became the mainstay of the economy.
The county's first town, Huron, was founded in 1880 and quickly became the county seat. Railroads played a crucial role in the growth of Beadle County, connecting it to other major cities and allowing for increased transportation of goods and people. The completion of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway in 1880 helped further establish Huron as an agricultural hub.
During its early years, Beadle County experienced rapid population growth and economic prosperity, driven primarily by agriculture and the railroad industry. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate made it well-suited for farming, and crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans became the backbone of the local economy. The influx of settlers and investment in infrastructure led to the establishment of numerous small towns and schools throughout the county.
Over the years, Beadle County has faced challenges, including droughts, economic recessions, and the decline of small family farms. However, the county has also adapted and diversified its economy. Today, Beadle County is home to a variety of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. With its rich history and ongoing development, Beadle County continues to be an important part of South Dakota's growth and prosperity.
The county's first town, Huron, was founded in 1880 and quickly became the county seat. Railroads played a crucial role in the growth of Beadle County, connecting it to other major cities and allowing for increased transportation of goods and people. The completion of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway in 1880 helped further establish Huron as an agricultural hub.
During its early years, Beadle County experienced rapid population growth and economic prosperity, driven primarily by agriculture and the railroad industry. The county's fertile soil and favorable climate made it well-suited for farming, and crops such as wheat, corn, and soybeans became the backbone of the local economy. The influx of settlers and investment in infrastructure led to the establishment of numerous small towns and schools throughout the county.
Over the years, Beadle County has faced challenges, including droughts, economic recessions, and the decline of small family farms. However, the county has also adapted and diversified its economy. Today, Beadle County is home to a variety of industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, and education. With its rich history and ongoing development, Beadle County continues to be an important part of South Dakota's growth and prosperity.
Beadle County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Beadle County, South Dakota.
- 1879 - Beadle County is established, named after William Henry Harrison Beadle.
- 1880 - Huron, the county seat of Beadle County, is founded.
- 1882 - The Chicago, Milwaukee, and St. Paul Railway reaches Huron, leading to increased settlement and economic growth.
- 1883 - The first courthouse is built in Huron.
- 1887 - The Agricultural College of South Dakota (now South Dakota State University) is established in Brookings, just north of Beadle County.
- 1893 - The Huron University is established, providing higher education opportunities to the region.
- 1930s - The Great Depression leads to significant economic challenges for Beadle County, as agriculture and industry are severely impacted.
- 1953 - The South Dakota State Fair relocates to Huron, boosting the local economy and attracting visitors from across the state.
- 1974 - The Huron Historic District is added to the National Register of Historic Places, preserving the city's unique architectural heritage.
- 1997 - The Huron Event Center opens, providing a modern venue for conventions, conferences, and cultural events in Beadle County.
- 2010 - Beadle County celebrates its 131st anniversary since its establishment.