People and Places

The Ward Building, De Smet, S.Dak.

Ward’s (then known as Couse Hardware) in De Smet, S.Dak., was important to the Ingalls family when they lived in the town.

Pa's store

Laura’s father owned a store that, after being moved, would have been located where the smaller building on the left of this modern-day picture now stands. Pa’s store was originally located facing west, where the larger building stands in this picture.

Loftus Store

The Loftus Store, with the red false front, can be seen in the middle of this modern-day photo.

NE corner of Calumet and Second, De Smet, S.Dak.

This building stands on the northeast corner of Calumet and Second in De Smet, S.Dak. It stood, in remarkably similar condition, there when Laura lived in the town.

Big Slough, De Smet, S.Dak.

A view of the Big Slough in De Smet, S.Dak., that was so prevalent in Laura’s life

5 thoughts on “People and Places

  1. Originally, the Charles Ingalls building faced west on Calumet, same as the law office today. It was moved to the back of the lot – facing north – at a later date. The Ingallses and Wilders knew “Ward’s Store” as Couse Hardware.

    • Thanks, Nansie, for the tidbits of information. We knew the store was originally on the corner, but the photo we used was intended to show its final location. As for Couse Hardware, indeed, you are correct.

  2. The building on the northeast corner of Calumet and Second, is that a B&B today?, across Second street from where Pa’s store once stood? Does anyone have any clue as to where the Surveyor’s house was situated along the north shore of Silver Lake? Where exactly did the shores of Silver Lake reach to?

  3. Pingback: [BOOKS] American Pioneer: Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Real-life Memoir to be Published | pundit from another planet

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