Travel with Terri
South Dakota: Beyond the cowboys and corn
Story and Photos by Terri Marshall
A few years ago I drove across this great country with my best friend. We started in Seattle and drove to New York. Our drive took us through the heart of South Dakota. Along the way we met a few cowboys. We also saw acres and acres of corn and, quite honestly, we thought that might be all South Dakota had to offer…not that there is anything at all wrong with that! But South Dakota is so much more.
Let’s start with that corn that lines the highways across the state. South Dakota has found a use for corn that reaches far beyond popcorn, corn on the cob and cornbread. In 1892, the small town of Mitchell gave us the world’s only Corn Palace. Constructed as a tribute to the state’s agricultural industry, the Corn Palace sees half a million visitors each year. It also serves as a venue for events including concerts, basketball games and even high school proms and graduations.
The outside of the palace is decorated with 12 murals made from an estimated 275,000 ears of corn split in half. Corn in 13 shades of red, brown, blue, black, calico, green and yellow (a favorite of the birds) are blended with wheat and sour dock to complete the murals. Each year a new theme is chosen and the murals are redesigned to reflect that theme.
Mitchell takes its corn seriously. The local radio station’s call letters are KORN. The high school sports teams are known as the Kernels. And Cornelius – a giant corn cob – is the mascot. It is a truly amaizing place…sorry, I couldn’t resist! http://www.cornpalace.com
Cowboys are certainly a part of the fabric of South Dakota, but Indians have an equally important role in the history of this interesting state. The Mitchell Prehistoric Indian Village transports you back in time with a replica of a 1,000 year old Indian Village. The village is South Dakota’s only active archaeological site open to the public.
The buffalo was vital to the Indians’ survival on the plains – and they used every part. Bison meat sustained them. The hide was used for teepee covers, moccasins and drums. Bones were boiled to create broth. Headdresses were made from the hair. Even the brains were used for staining leather for vests and dresses. http://www.mitchellindianvillage.org
The town of Freeman, South Dakota (population 1200) provides a glimpse of an unexpected culture – German Russians. In the 1870’s the United States government offered German Russians the opportunity to own and farm their own land in this country. These immigrants were also promised the right to continue their customs and traditions in the new country.
Those traditions remain intact today. The largely Mennonite community celebrates its heritage with Schmeckfest each Spring. This festival of tastes began as a small fundraiser for the local school, Freeman Academy, and has grown into a four day event that welcomes over 6,000 guests over two weekends. Local residents prepare traditional recipes for sampling and there is always a musical presentation. In 2013 Schmeckfest will be held the third and fourth weekends in March. “Fiddler on the Roof” has been announced as the musical production for 2013.
Sometimes the most unusual things can be found in unassuming locations. This is true of the Freeman’s Heritage Hall Museum – housed in an aluminum sided building. The museum contains one of the most eclectic collections of exhibits you will find anywhere. There is an extensive Native American artifacts exhibit, a collection of traditional wedding dresses worn by the German Russian immigrants, a huge collection of buttons, a coffin with an extra “drawer” used to keep the body on ice, pioneer tools, autos and even a 1927 airplane. My personal favorite was the goat powered washing machine – no kidding. The washing machine is hooked to an antique treadmill device. The family goat was put on the treadmill to walk, the washer’s motor turned and the laundry was cleaned!
While road tripping through this portion of South Dakota, make plans to spend the night at Fensel Motel. This 12-room, family-owned and operated motel offers clean rooms, an extensive gift shop and an honor system checkout. When you are ready to depart, just leave the payment for your stay in your room with the key. No need to check out, the proprietors trust you. And, in all their years of business, only one guest left without paying. Forty years later his guilt got the best of him. He mailed a check and an apology to the owner. http://www.southeastsouthdakota.com
Sioux Falls is the place to visit in Southeastern South Dakota for arts and culture. Catch a touring Broadway production, dance tour or symphony concert at the 1,800 seat Husby Performing Arts Center. Check out over 100 interactive exhibits at the Kirby Science Discover Center. The CineDome Theater provides a realistic giant-screen movie experience. There is also a Visual Arts Center with six galleries and a Children’s Studio. All of these are housed in the Washington Pavilion – a beautifully restored old high school in downtown Sioux Falls.
Just outside the Washington Pavilion you can begin your stroll of the Downtown Sculpture Walk – an exhibit of over 55 world-class sculptures by local artists. Sculptures depict the lifestyle, spirit and history of Sioux Falls. Many tell the stories of the relationships between the early settlers and the American Indians.
Sioux Falls offers many opportunities to experience the outdoor beauty of the region, but perhaps the most scenic is Falls Park where the water of the Big Sioux River washes over magnificent rock formations. It’s the perfect spot for a picnic or to grab a bite to eat at the Falls Overlook Café. http://www.visitsiouxfalls.com
If you’re up for a night out on the town, head to Borrowed Bucks for drinks and dancing. Here you will find an eclectic mix of revelers from cowboys straight from the rodeo, to older guys trying to dance with young women, to tattooed rockers with orange dyed Mohawk haircuts, to…well, just about anything you can imagine! Yes, all at the same bar. http://www.buckssiouxfalls.com
So, next time you are driving through South Dakota (or flying in) dig a little deeper and see what unexpected treasures you unearth. Or maybe just find a cowboy and some corn…it’s all good.
Terri is a freelance writer with regular columns on travel, chocolate and bar reviews. She is busy each month visiting new places to bring unique travel destinations and events to you. Yes, it is a sacrifice – but she is willing to do that for her readers! You can see more of Terri’s writing at www.examiner.com where she is the National Chocolate Examiner and at www.barzz.net. Also, check out her blog at www.trippingwithterri.com. You can contact Terri at [email protected].