De Smet, South Dakota

Area attractions in De Smet;

Of course the biggest draw to De Smet is that is the hometown of the famous Author ( Laura Ingalls Wilder) Laura wrote the Little house on the Prairie Series that Michael Landon made popular with his TV Series LITTLE HOUSE ON THE PRAIRIE.

There are 2 museum of which are open all summer and one being open all year. The Laura Ingalls Memorial society operates the historical museum. www.discoverlaura.org
they are open from 9am to 7 pm in the summer months, but go to the site for all of the details.

The INGALLS HOMESTEAD IS OPEN AS WELL FROM 9 AM TO 7 PM ALL SUMMER AND YOU MAY find all of the information on www.ingallshomestead.com
There you will be able to twist hay-make a button toy- ride a covered wagon-go to school- see replicas of Ma little house and the barn with the straw roof.

It is all hands on and very exciting to romp and play on the 160 acres of pa original homestead. He worked hard to prove up on his land and it is there for all to see and enjoy. See the cottonwood trees that Pa planted. There is always a new pony or two to watch as they take milk from there MAMA.

There are usually kittens in the haymow- and plenty of rides on ponies and buggies.
Take a day to explore- stay over night and start over the next morning on other Laura adventures.

We recommend a 2 day stay for most families.

In the month of July for 9 nights or 3 -3 day week-end they put on the Laura Ingalls Wilder Pagaent. go to www.desmetsd.com for all of the info on things to see and do in our LITTLE TOWN ON THE PRAIRIE

LAKE THOMPSON STATE RECREATIONAL PARK

You have heard that these were big lakes in Lauras day, but dried up as others did in the dirty 30's. Now it is one of the biggest natural lakes in SD. Great fishing most of the time and well stocked by the state. Several camping opportunities.

Our local Cemetary is the place that the INGALLS family is buried. that is part of the tour.

Hunting pheasants and Geese are two of the best seasons for our area. The early goose season in the spring of the year is getting wide spread notority.

Pheasants in the fall from Oct through Dec. is well worth a 3 day trip up here or a 5 day stay. Your license is good for 2 5 day hunts.

De Smet is a town of 1200 persons and it is a might little town. Clean-wide streets-good shopping- great dining-

please check out www.desmetsd.com We have a great web page.

While staying at the Prairie House Manor B&B, you are 1 block away from our main street. 4 blocks away from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum and 1 mile from the Ingalls Homestead.

  
Member B&Bs / Inns in the De Smet area

Prairie House Manor

Our B&B was built in 1894 or earlier, and it was owned by Banker Thomas H. Ruth. He was married to his first wife Lara Gailbraith and they never had any children. She passed away and he was alone for a few years. His brother was in Banking with him. His name was William Ruth and William Ruth married the seamstress Miss Bell. Laura Ingalls Wilder worked for Miss Bell before she was married.
Thomas Ruth went back to Carmichael, PA for a visit and he met Miss Bells sister Amelia. She was 12 years younger than he was, but he courted her and she married him and they returned to SD where in 1900 she gave birth to a son EDWIN.

Banker Ruth became ill with Tuberculosis and died in a sanitarium in Florida in 1906. He was buried in Carmichael PA. Mrs. Ruth came back to De Smet and rented her home out for several years while her son was in Colleges in the East. She came back in the 30's and sold it for 1 dollar and other valuables to a lady Mrs. Hunter that turned it into 4 apartments. Later it was sold to a Mr o'Keefe that lived in 1 unit and rented the other 3 out for income during those early 40's. Later his sons inherited the O'keefe apartments and we purchased them in 1989. We opened our doors to the Laura Ingalls Wilder tourist in June of 1990. We have had a wonderfull time running it as a B&B. Our motto is if we can not go to the world on extensive vacations, so the world comes to us. We have had many travellers the world over and have been so blessed in this trade as B&B owners.

De Smet Sd was named after a Belgian Priest by the name of Pierre Jean De Smet or in Belgian Peter Jan De Smet. De Smet is a name in Begium like Smith would be in USA. De Smet means The Black Smith.

Father Pierre Jean De Smet was a missionary to the Native Americans. His goal was to get NUNs across the United States in a safe manner. and also to Baptise the Native Americans. He always liked towns where 2 rivers crossed.

In the early 90's Glenn Iverson Mayor iof De Smet went to Belgium to see the unveiling of Father De Smets Statue and they offered him an exact duplicate if De Smet could arrange the shipping. Glenn Iverson is the brother of Connie Cheney- Owner of The Prairie House Manor B&B.

Historic Home in the heart of Laura Ingalls Wilder Country. Microwave - frig - spa room. Open May - December. We welcome families and couples.

Our front porch offers a relaxed atmosphere to get to know our other guests or just enjoy a glass of cold tea or a cup of cappichino or hot chocolate.

Now you can book online or give us a call. We have a family type setting- come and go as you wish- You are welcome come one-come all.

Innkeeper(s): Jenny and Andy Todd
209 Highway 25 South, De Smet, SD 57231 • 605-854-9131 • 800-297-2416 • Web • Email