The Brooks Blog: De Smet, South Dakota

Well, you may be "wondering where is De Smet, South Dakota?" It happens to be the location of our most recent "family vacation." We just got back from a two night getaway to this tiny little town on the Dakota Prairie. Callie had spring break from preschool this past week, so because of her break and because winter is dragging on and I need a diversion, we decided to take a little trip. We stayed at a cute, kid friendly bed and breakfast. The reason we chose the little (random) town is because it happens to be one of the places that Laura Ingalls Wilder writes about in her book series. In fact, De Smet is the location for "By the Shores of "Silver Lake", "The Long Winter", "Little Town on the Prairie", "These Happy Golden Years", and the "First Four Years." I have had a newfound love of her series since moving to the upper midwest where so many of her books took place. Also, Callie has enjoyed checking out the preschool adapted versions of her books from the library. Anyway, at least the two of us were excited to see where Pa, Ma, Mary, Laura, Carrie, and Grace all lives. Enjoy the snapshots of our trip. By the way it would have been way better to have gone in the summer time but that couldn't be helped since we plan to move then. It was now or never!

entering South Dakota

about 1 hour into South Dakota, much the same, desolate land...I really found it fascinating and loved the drive

arrived at the B&B we had a great setup

It was a gorgeous day. We decided to visit the homestead site. This was the 160 acres that Pa claimed from "Uncle Sam" if he could live on it for 5 years. The original house was gone from the site.

Callie and I next to one of the five cottonwood trees that Pa planted for Ma (Caroline). All 5 are still there.

looking out over Pa's land

We had dinner in a little local cafe, the nicest guy struck up a conversation with us and then paid for our meal!

Callie eating her pancake man at breakfast. It's just like the one Laura had in "Little House in the Big Wood"

Callie is grinding wheat like Laura did. They ground wheat in the coffee grinder all winter long, all day long in the story the "Long Winter" It was the only food they because the trains got stuck and couldn't get to the little town for 5 months because of snow. We are actually inside the "Surveyors House." This was the first little house that Laura and her family lived in (through that first winter in South Dakota). It was the real deal not a replica! Everything is how she described it in her book. After Charlie took this picture inside, we found out there were no inside pictures allowed. Oops!

outside the surveyor's house

The first school in De Smet. Laura and her sisters attended here

The house that Pa built in town. He built this house 2 years after Laura got married. They got tired of trying to farm on the claim. Laura never lived in this house but she visited a lot. Her and Almanzo's land was close by. The was the last house that Pa and Ma lived in. We saw many original artifacts in the house.

The Loftus store is a general store that Laura writes about in her book. She visited it frequently. The original store is still there and up and running. Some of the same, original flooring is still in the store. Callie was able to buy with her own money (that Greatmama gave her at Christmas) a harmonica and some stick candy.

the homestead site where Laura and Almanzo first lived as a married couple. Laura and her daughter Rose accidentally caught the house on fire and it burned down. I think he built another small house but they moved shortly after that incident. They moved to Florida but only stayed two years. Laura couldn't get adjusted to the heat and humidity. After that, they moved back to De Smet and lived right down the street from her parents in town. They stayed a couple more years in De Smet and then moved permanently to Missouri.