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Laura Ingalls Wilder
Historic Homes

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, Inc.

1-800-880-3383
www.discoverlaura.org
Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society

Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society, Inc.

Discover Laura Ingalls Wilder with a visit to "The Little Town on the Prairie", De Smet, South Dakota.  Laura's stories come to life when you join our costumed guides for a visit to the original homes of author Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Explore the Sureyors' House where Laura and her family spent their first Dakota winter.  Laura wrote about this home in her "Little House" book, By the Shores of Silver Lake.  Visit the home that Pa built, the Ingalls Home, and learn what happened to Ma, Pa, Mary, Laura, Carrie and Grace.  Experience a unique journey into Laura's life and history!


Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to the preservation of the Ingalls-Wilder heritages.


Ingalls Homestead

"Laura's Living Prairie"

1-800-776-3594
www.ingallshomestead.com


From De Smet: 1/2 mile southeast on Highway 14, 1/2 mile south on Homestead Road.

Ingalls Homestead, De Smet South Dakota

Visit the prairie of Laura's "Little House" stories.  Pa Ingalls and his family claimed this piece of Dakota Territory as their homestead.

Sample 1880's pioneering life:

  • Covered wagon rides
  • Historic school session
  • Hands-on pioneering activities
  • Prairie learning center

Plan an old fashioned family day to De Smet, South Dakota.


Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant Society Proudly Presents

"The First Four Years"

2010
July 9, 10, 11
July 16, 17, 18
July 23, 24, 25

1-800-880-3383
1-800-776-3594
www.desmetpageant.org

Laura Ingalls Wilder Pageant, De Smet South Dakota

The story of the little girl called "Half-Pint" continues in "The First Four Years with Memories of Silver Lake."

Laura Ingalls Wilder begins life with her new husbnd, Almanzo in their own little house. Laura as a young pioneer wife must now work hard with Almanzo, farming their prairie homestead. The young couple faces the hardships and triumphs encountered by so many American pioneers. Laura's adventure contiues in this years live production of "The First Four Years."

The setting sun and the Dakota Prairie provide a wonderful backdrop for the outdoor pageant. The pageant is held one mile southeast of De Smet. From the pageant grounds you can see the land that Pa homesteaded and the cottonwoods he planted. The Big Slough and Silver Lake are nearby.


The Loftus Store

 The Original Store from the Little House Book, The Long Winter

1-866-335-3271
www.loftusstore.com

chad@loftusstore.com

The Loftus Store, De Smet South Dakota

The Loftus Store your "Quality Store" since 1879.  The original building still stands today.  Laura wrote of Mr. Loftus and store in her well known book, The Long Winter.  Walk where Laura walked.  Discover original shoe boxes and shoes  found in the attic 130 years later.  Visa and MasterCard accepted.


De Smet Depot Museum

Harvey Dunn School

Free admission.
Open June - August

desmet.govoffice2.com

1-605-854-3991 or 1-605-854-3731

De Smet Depot Museum & Harvey Dunn School, De Smet South Dakota

De Smet traces its history to the year the railroad reached this location.  The railroad depot is now a museum that features exhibits on De Smet's early history, a South Dakota wildlife display and a country print shop.

Adjacent to the museum is the schoolhouse attended by prairie artist Harvey Dunn who was born near De Smet.  Several of Dunn's original works are on display in the city library, along with a collection of Laura Ingalls Wilder family memorabilia.  Public internet access computers are also available at the library.




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