Spink County: History and Recreation

Spink County offers several starting points for planning your trip: historic buildings and local history, as well as activities on the James River, at Redfield Dam, and in parks. When looking for hotels, you can use your planned visits as a starting point and consider whether cultural history, canoeing, fishing, or outdoor recreation will shape your stay.

Historic Buildings and Local History

The Chicago and NorthWestern Historic Railroad Depot in Redfield was built in 1914 and features original golden oak woodwork. The C&NW RR Depot houses a visitor center that is open Tuesday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., May 1 through December 30. Check the schedule before your visit. The gift shop offers locally inspired items made in South Dakota; the selection may change.

The Redfield Carnegie Library is the oldest Carnegie library in South Dakota still in continuous use as a library. The Redfield Light Plant and Fire Station housed the municipal electric utility and the volunteer fire department. Both places offer insight into different aspects of local history: the continued use of the library, on the one hand, and municipal utilities and volunteer fire protection, on the other.

The history of education is part of the story, too: Redfield College was founded in 1885 and operated until 1932, when it merged with Yankton College. Council Rock, about three miles north of Redfield, is associated with annual tribal councils and trade fairs. On the James River, Chief Joseph Drifting Goose of the Hunkpati band of the Yanktonai lived on Armadale Island, a few miles north of Fisher Grove.

Museum, River, and Landscape

The Spink County Museum works to preserve the county’s history. Its exhibits include materials about early pioneers Peter Norbeck and Charles Nicholson. Exhibit content may change; if you are especially interested in these topics, check in advance to see what is on display.

Fisher Grove State Park in Spink County includes a historic river crossing once used by Native Americans. The park also provides access to the James River for canoeing. This brings two distinct aspects together: the crossing’s historic use and the present-day opportunity to experience the river by canoe.

The Redfield Dam reservoir covers 170 acres. Shore fishing is available there, though access may vary. Hav-A-Rest Park also has a clearly defined connection to the water: it is next to Redfield Lake. These places offer different ways to include water in your trip plans, though they do not involve the same kind of visit.

Parks, Recreation, and Pheasant History

Redfield City Park has a walking and biking trail and a disc golf course. The park also has a public swimming pool, which may operate seasonally. Redfield Parks and Recreation offers swimming programs for children and young people; program times may change. Check the current schedule for each program as you plan your trip.

The area’s pheasant history dates back to the early 20th century. South Dakota’s first successful release of pheasants took place in June 1908 at Hagman’s Grove, north of Redfield, on Highway 281. Spink County held the first one-day season for male pheasants on October 30, 1919. Redfield is known for pheasant hunting; if you plan to hunt, check the applicable season dates and rules.

The Pheasant City Drive-In is also part of the area’s cultural history: it opened in 1953 and is one of South Dakota’s oldest and last remaining drive-in theaters. US Hwy 281 and US Hwy 212 intersect in the Redfield area. When choosing a hotel, you can base your decision on your own plans and weigh the trip’s different focuses: historic sites, river activities, or recreation in the park.

Discover more destinations: Redfield, Lincoln County, Grant County, Brule County, Stanley, Clay, Yankton, Aurora County.

For the main travel overview: South Dakota.