These 9 Towns in South Dakota Have Beautiful Architecture
South Dakota, also known as the Mount Rushmore State, features loads of beautiful architecture. Some of the top examples are the marvelous Mount Rushmore in Black Hills, the 850-year-old Chapel in the Hills nestled in Rapid City, the Greek Revival structures in Pierre, and much more. Beautiful architecture is abundant in South Dakota’s busy cities but is also established in many of the state’s smaller towns. Along with architecture, these small towns boast a mix of outdoor scenery, historic landmarks, and vibrant culture, perfect for a vacation.
Hot Springs
Hot Springs lies tucked away in the Black Hills of South Dakota, a vast mountain range full of opportunities. However, sandstone architecture is a unique trait of this charming town thanks to the vision of Fred Evans. Evans originally flocked to the Black Hills for gold but was mesmerized by building a resort city from red sandstone. Visitors can admire local architecture from Hot Springs’ historical buildings, including the Pioneer Historical Museum. This storied building was built in 1893 and functioned as a school until 1961.
Besides its historic buildings, Hot Springs is famous for its thermal springs. These waters are soothing for many travelers and can reach 87 degrees. Tourists also love flocking to the Mammoth Site, an active paleontological site that houses the world’s concentration of mammoth remains!
Keystone
Keystone, a quaint town of 250 residents, is the perfect starting point for a day trip to the Mount Rushmore National Memorial. The famous landmark lies just beyond the town limits, showcasing one of the most impressive sculptures in human history. Keystone will also take visitors on a ride to earlier times with attractions like the National Presidential Wax Museum and the Keystone Historical Museum, both of which exude a historic vibe. The steam locomotives at the Black Hills Central Railroad continue to persist after several decades, taking passengers on a scenic journey at the heart of the Black Hills.
Mitchell
In Davison County, the town of Mitchell is brimming with family-friendly charm. Its most famous attraction—the World’s Only Corn Palace—is an annual labor of love. This Moorish-style building is lovingly crafted using over 275,000 ears of corn, a feat of architecture that one can only find here. To celebrate the redecoration of this colorful palace, Mitchell also hosts the Corn Palace Festival for five nights in August, which includes rides, carnival fare, and live music. Ultimately, adventure awaits at every corner of Mitchell—find local goods at Mitchell’s Historic Downtown or peruse historical exhibits at the Dakota Discovery Museum and the Carnegie Resource Center.
Deadwood
Deadwood was once South Dakota’s “rough and tumble” gold mining town. In the present day, the town retains its timeless charm with its vintage-style buildings and architecture from yesteryear. The Deadwood Mountain Grand Casino and Resort emanates a 1900s aesthetic with corrugated and galvanized metal panels. Meanwhile, the Historic Adams House has retained its Queen Anne-style elegance since 1892. Besides its historic buildings, The Crazy Horse Memorial in the heart of Black Hills also attracts plenty of curious travelers and art lovers alike. The massive memorial is set to be the world’s largest sculpture of the Lakota Leader, Crazy Horse.
Ipswich
Ipswich is only 25 miles west of Aberdeen in Northeastern South Dakota and houses a collection of historic buildings popping with character. The Edmunds County Court House at the center of Ipswich stands with its vibrant tan-colored bricks, white stone pilasters, and an interior decked out in pink Tennessee marble. The J.W. Parmley Museum is another architectural highlight in the town and was the home of J.W. Parmley—the father of the Yellowstone Trail. This historic home-turned-museum was built with cement, brick, and plaster, housing two stone fireplaces made of stones and sea shells collected from Parmley’s worldly adventures. In Ipswich, adventure-savvy travelers can discover the historic Yellowstone Trail initially envisioned by Parmley. Today, the country’s first transcontinental automobile highway is recognized as US Highway 12, spanning from Plymouth Rock to Puget Sound!
Milbank
Along the historic Yellowstone Trail, Milbank is a quaint community in Northeast South Dakota, known as the birthplace of American Legion Baseball. Escape the bustle of city life while visiting Milbank and exploring its local history, starting at the Milbank Grist and Mill Park. Since 1884, this piece of local history has stood 44 feet high and 30 feet long, with sails spanning seven feet. The Grant Historical Museum is another local gem, set inside a 1906 Carnegie Library and operated by the Grant County Historical Society.
Before embarking on other adventures in South Dakota, visitors can spend a quiet afternoon at Lake Farley Park, a family-friendly spot with a swimming beach, docks, picnic areas, and paths for walking, jogging, and biking.
Yankton
Yankton is a charming town adored by visitors on the North Bank of the Missouri River, along the border of South Dakota and Nebraska. The quaint town of Yankton allures visitors with its offerings of outdoor and water recreational activities, from the Lewis and Clark Recreation Area to the Gavins Point National Hatchery.
The town is also chalked with stylish architecture and pretty historic buildings! Beautifully restored and preserved historic homes are sprawled across the town, which exist as private properties or other business buildings, including the Italianate brick Pennington Home of 1875. Visitors can also admire the art (and architecture) at Yankton’s Mead Cultural Education Center. Hundreds of historic artifacts sit inside this property, built in 1909 as a patient housing for women.
Travelers visiting Yankton with their families can spend the afternoon at the Fantle Memorial Park, where there is something for everyone. This park is equipped with plenty of outdoor activities like a full playground, walking trails, and an 18-hole disc golf course!
Chamberlain
Chamberlain is the largest town in Brule County, South Dakota, for over 25 miles. Located in central South Dakota, this town boasts scenic views along the eastern banks of the Missouri River. While the waters of the Missouri River stand as the town's primary allure, Chamberlain also beckons tourists with the captivating presence of the Dignity: Of Earth & Sky statue. The 50-foot statue stands on a bluff between Interstate 90's exits 263 and 265, overlooking the Missouri. Whether bathed in the sun's glow or illuminated against the night sky, the statue proudly stands as a tribute to the vibrant cultures of the Lakota and Dakota peoples.
Nearby the statue, visitors should make a quick stop at the Chamberlain Welcome Center along Interstate 90. Here, tourists can picnic under the shade or walk the paved paths while stretching their legs. The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is also at the stop, which pays homage to the early 19th-century expedition through South Dakota. Among the interpretive panels and murals depicting the epic trip, visitors can admire the 55-foot-long replica of the keelboat!
Before embarking on their next destination, Chamberlain's Aktá Lakota Museum & Cultural Center is worth a visit. Since 1991, the museum has been dedicated to paying tribute to the Sioux nation and has given visitors a glimpse into the rich culture of the Lakota people. This octagon-shaped facility hosts 14,000 square feet of display space and was formerly the St. Joseph's Indian School which opened in 1927.
Watertown
About 100 miles north of Sioux Falls, the town of Watertown draws visitors for its outdoor recreation. This Eastern South Dakota town is brimming with beautiful buildings—precisely 60 buildings—along Kemp Avenue. Many of these buildings are also on the National Register of Historic Places! Time stays still at the Mellette House, an elegant Italianate home-turned-museum built in 1885 for Arthur Calvin, South Dakota’s first governor. This opulent house has a library, a double parlor, and a massive staircase, all encased within a house constructed from local bricks.
The Codington County Heritage Museum is another town treasure, set within the walls of a former Carnegie Library in Downtown Watertown. Visitors can learn about the history of Codington County at this timeless building. Art lovers with a penchant for beautiful architecture will fall in love with the Redlin Art Center. This 52,000-square-foot building was inspired by the Egyptian Revival Period and is adorned with vibrant granite columns and imported tiles within a massive property. The art gallery is home to over 150 original paintings by Terry Redlin.
Conclusions
The architecture in South Dakota towns is just as marvelous as the notable structures found in the state’s biggest cities, from the heritage buildings in Watertown to Hot Springs’ timeless architecture. There is no end to the stunning designs on offer, each with a unique story to share with visitors. Along with the beautiful architecture, these South Dakota towns boasts scenic outdoor views, historic landmarks, and tons of fun eateries for a lovely vacation.
