Reconnaissance-Level Survey of Hand and Hyde Counties, South Dakota

Herrnstadt, Caitlin

Introduction: "This report documents the results of a reconnaissance-level survey of Hand and Hyde Counties, South Dakota, conducted by Johnson, Mirmiran, & Thompson (JMT) for the South Dakota State Historic Preservation Historic Preservation Office (SD SHPO) of the South Dakota State Historical Society (SDSHS). The purpose of the project is to provide a comprehensive record of properties that are potentially eligible for the National Register of Historic Places and to update the record of those properties previously surveyed in Hand and Hyde Counties. Survey forms and a copy of this report will be on file at SDSHS. Hand and Hyde Counties are rural, agricultural areas in central South Dakota. Hand County encompasses approximately 1,440 square miles and consists of 36 townships with four incorporated communities and three unincorporated communities. The incorporated communities include Miller (county seat), Ree Heights, St. Lawrence, and Wessington. The unincorporated communities include Miller/Dale Colony, Polo, and Vayland. There is one unorganized territory, Northwest Hand. According to the 2010 Census, the county had a population of approximately 3,431 people, of which about 1,489 live in the Town of Miller. Hyde County encompasses approximately 866 square miles and consists of 14 townships with one city and two towns. The city is Highmore (county seat) and the towns are Holabird and Stephen. There are two unorganized territories, Central Hyde and North Hyde. Part of the Crow Creek Indian Reservation is located within Hyde County. According to the 2010 Census, the county had a population of approximately 1,420 people, of which about 795 live in the City of Highmore. The reconnaissance-level survey, which covered all properties visible from the public road within the counties, was conducted by Caitlin Herrnstadt and Mary Alfson Tinsman, both Architectural Historians at JMT. Fieldwork occurred between September 11 and September 20, 2019. Ms. Herrnstadt completed the archival research, data entry and analysis, and report preparation. The survey and report were conducted and prepared in accordance with the South Dakota Historic Resource Survey Manual." Project funding was provided in part by a Historic Preservation Fund grant to the South Dakota State Historical Society administered by the State, Tribal, Local Plans and Grants division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior (grant number P19AF00014).

Reconnaissance-Level Survey of Hand and Hyde Counties, South Dakota

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