De Smet in the Past: The History of De Smet, South Dakota

De Smet in the Past: The History of De Smet, South Dakota

When Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family moved to De Smet, South Dakota in the early 1880s, the town was little more than a burgeoning railroad camp. Laura was only twelve years old at the time, and the Ingalls family first settled in the Surveyors House, which provided them with shelter during the initial period of their life in De Smet.

In 1880, Charles “Pa” Ingalls filed his claim on a piece of land near De Smet and built a small claim shanty for the family. This new home marked the beginning of their journey in South Dakota, which would eventually become the setting for five of the Little House on the Prairie books. In addition to the claim shanty, Pa also purchased a store on the main street of De Smet, further cementing the family’s ties to the growing town.

During their time in De Smet, the Ingalls family faced numerous challenges, including the harsh conditions described in The Long Winter. Despite the hardships, they made many friends and became an integral part of the community as the town continued to grow and develop.

As Laura grew up in De Smet, she began to forge her own path. She took on her first job as a seamstress, honing her skills and contributing to the family’s income. Eventually, Laura also embarked on a career in education, teaching three terms of school in the area surrounding De Smet.

De Smet was also the place where Laura fell in love and got married. She met her future husband, Almanzo Wilder, in the town, and their courtship is chronicled in the book These Happy Golden Years. Their marriage marked a new chapter in Laura’s life and the beginning of their life together.

De Smet, South Dakota, played a significant role in the lives of Laura Ingalls Wilder and her family between 1880 and 1895. From their humble beginnings in a small claim shanty to their integration into the growing community, the Ingalls family’s time in De Smet was filled with both joy and hardship. The experiences they shared during this period would go on to inspire some of the most beloved stories in the Little House on the Prairie series, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers.