Jerauld County: Landscapes, Trails and History

Jerauld County reveals itself through distinctive landscapes, trails and the history of Wessington Springs. The Wessington Hills divide the county near its center into northern and southern sections and extend throughout the area. Wessington Springs is located on Highway 34, six miles west of the junction with Highway 281. North of town, Turtle Peak rises on a 400-foot-high hill. Its name comes from a Native American mosaic depicting a large turtle with its head facing the rising sun.

Experience the Landscape and Nature

The Old Grade Trail first passes through a wooded shoreline and forest, then crosses open grassland to a viewpoint overlooking the James River Valley. Trail themes include regional history, native and non-native plants, a historic bridge and opportunities for wildlife viewing. The transition from wooded sections to open grassland shapes the route to the view across the valley. Nature viewing and regional history come together in the same place.

Long Lake GPA is seven miles west and six miles north of Wessington Springs. Twin Lake is also part of the county’s landscape: the natural lake lies on the boundary between Sanborn County and Jerauld County. Shoreline conditions may change. Pheasant hunting is available on 3,000 acres of public hunting land in Jerauld County.

Architecture and Local History in Wessington Springs

Anne Hathaway Cottage was built in 1932 based on plans drawn from a postcard of the original in Stratford-upon-Avon. The Shakespeare Garden includes the terraced Anne Hathaway Garden west of the cottage. The cottage and garden can therefore be understood as interconnected parts of the local garden complex.

The 1905 Opera House was built in 1905 and opened on November 3 of that year to host live performances. The renovated building offers numerous performances throughout the year. The Municipal Field House is a WPA stone building dating from 1936 and continues to serve its original purpose; the current schedule may vary.

Other buildings also tell the story of the town and county. The Wessington Springs Carnegie Library was the last Carnegie library built in the state of South Dakota. The Methodist Episcopal Church of Wessington Springs is historically significant for its Gothic Revival architecture and the distinctive engineering design of its interior walls. The Jerauld County Courthouse is historically significant as the county’s symbolic and functional seat of government.

Events and Seasonal Activities

Visitors can attend the annual Wessington Springs rodeo. The Kyle Evans Wagon Train celebrates the town’s Western heritage each year on the weekend after Labor Day. Confirm the specific date locally before planning your trip around it.

Wessington Springs City Park has an ice-skating pond and a sledding hill with a unique Rube Goldberg lift. Both are seasonal; check current operating status before visiting.

Discover more destinations: Alpena, Grant County, Lawrence County, Jones County, Lyman County, Hutchinson County, Brookings, Charles Mix County.

For the broader travel overview: South Dakota.