Built between 1907-1969, this section of Aberdeen was given the name of Highlands since it laid on ground three feet higher than the city's Commercial district. Containing 17 homes, the district has been preserved to showcase the area's various architecture and to present the early days of Aberdeen as it grew. For many years, the district was surrounded by prairie grass as the city slowly grew. To beautify the area, trees along the nearby James River (not be to confused with the James River in Virginia), were transported to the district. There are four homes most often showcased as examples of the districts various architecture. 1201 North Main StreetIn 1907, this home was built by Charles A. Howard Sr., a major in the 1st South Dakota Infantry in the Spanish American War. Although changes have been made to the property over the years, it still maintains its original charm with a hitching post in the front yard and a brick carriage house in the rear.1216 North Main StreetAlonzo Ward Sr., owner of the Ward Hotel, had this home built in 1909. It features the characteristics of the Prairie style: dormers, extended eves, rectangular windows, and an intricate brick pattern throughout.1206 North Main StreetW.D. Swain, an Aberdeen realtor, was the first owner of this home, originally occupied in 1909. It was designed to be an exact replica of the Longfellow house in Cambridge, MA. This is generally considered to be the most true Georgian Revival structure in the area.1314 North Main StreetThis house was built for Dr. M. Robert Gelber in 1940. This home is an excellent example of the Tudor style: the first story is brick with a cut stone foundation, while the walls of the second story are stucco with half timbering.

Highlands District sign with the 1206 North Main Street home in background. 

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Containing over 17 homes, this section of Aberdeen was christened the Highlands District given its location rising a mere three feet higher than Aberdeen's Commercial District which is located nearby. This district came to being between the years 1907-1969. The homes constructed give not only a look into Aberdeen's past but also how off the area's various architectural styles. Walking tour brochures are available to visitors at Aberdeen's official website for download and in the visitor's bureau building.

Aberdeen's Highlands Historic District

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This walking tour combines historic buildings and museums and includes two stops related to Aberdeen's most famous resident, L. Frank Baum, the author of the Wizard of Oz. 

The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad began operations in 1847 as the Milwaukee and Waukesha Railroad. By 1887, the railroad changed its name to what it is remembered as today when executives realized that both expansion to the Pacific Coast was needed as well as new land for profit. In the late 1880s rail lines and depots were laid and constructed throughout eastern and northern modern day South Dakota. This depot in Aberdeen was not constructed however until 1911, though Aberdeen was stop for some years before that. Also, having the original wooden building in Aberdeen burned down caused a greater need for the railroad to construct a bigger, more permanent depot here.&nbsp; This depot was used by the railroad until the 1980s when the railroad had to sell of its Pacific Extension lines and then shut down after unsuccessfully dealing with bankruptcies. The main portion of the depot serves as offices leased by an investment company. The basements houses some clubs, particularly the Model Railroad Club.&nbsp;&nbsp;

One of many depots connecting Chicago with the Pacific Coast (off Washington State), this depot served both the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad and Aberdeen itself. The railroad helped Aberdeen grow during its "boom period" of the late 1880s and into the 20th century. The railroad operated until the 1980s following bankruptcies and having to close down most of its more western rail lines. This depot still stands and houses various clubs such as the Model Railroad Club. 

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad Depot (Aberdeen, South Dakota)

*History as put together by local historians and the law office that owns the depot* "In February 1906 a condemnation trial was held in Aberdeen in the case of Minneapolis, St. Paul and Manitoba Railroad against Robert A. Kirk, the owner and proprietor of the Park Place Hotel, and others.The purpose of the lawsuit was to determine what the railroad, a division of the Great Northern Railway, would have to pay for the hotel site should the railroad wish to acquire it. The trial was an event of considerable importance. The Park Place Hotel was a popular and fashionable place and was regarded as a significant landmark in the city. On the other hand, the citizens of Aberdeen, aware of the importance of railroads to the town and to its future, would be proud to have a third railroad providing first-class passenger and freight service. The Aberdeen Daily News headline proclaimed “many persons throng Courtroom to hear witnesses including Isaac Lincoln, C. A. Howard, B. C. Lamont, A. C. Fossum, George Armantrout and P.T. Burns.On February 17 the jury returned its verdict. The railroad would be required to pay $17,000 if it wished to acquire Park Place Hotel site for its depot. It did not take long for the railroad to decide that it did indeed wish to acquire Kirk’s property. The Daily News reported on February 21 the Great Northern surveyors had arrived that morning to conduct the survey necessary to extend tracks into the city and to construct the depot at the hotel site. The surveyors reported they had received orders from James J. Hill, the president of the railroad, to proceed “as fast as possible.”Kirk, in preparation for moving his hotel, announced that the hotel furniture “must be sold down to the last stick.” His sales advertisement in the Aberdeen Daily News said “The big slaughter is now going on at private sale” and that everything remaining would be sold at public auction on March 3, 1906. The Park Place was soon moved, in section, to other sites in the city, and those structures still serve as apartment buildings.he March 23, 1906 edition of the Daily News reported that plans for the Great Northern Depot had arrived. The headline assured that the “structure will be elegant addition to the city.” The article reported that tracks will be laid to come up to the rear of the depot and between those tracks will be situated a long platform built for use of the passengers. “It will be piped for gas and wired for electricity, also furnished with all toilet conveniences.” It was promised that the southwest corner “will be an up-to-date retiring room for ladies which will be equipped with comfortable furniture.” The freight house was to be constructed to extend along Railroad Avenue and so arranged that drays and teams could load and unload from Railroad Avenue. The newspaper account concluded: “The passenger depot will be an ornamental addition to the city and its citizens will have no cause to regret its erection.”The depot was, by most accounts, constructed in 1906, and for many years the Great Northern’s passenger and freight business flourished. Luxury passenger trains carried passengers between Aberdeen, Fargo, Duluth and the Twin Cities and, for a period, several trains daily served the city. For several years special summer excursion trains made runs to and from Tacoma Park, which was a popular recreation spot.The glory years during which fancy gilt and chrome passenger trains arrived and departed daily started to fade with the growth of the automobile industry. In the final years of the Great Northern’s passenger service in Aberdeen, a lone day coach stuck at the end of a freight train was the only facility for the railroad’s few remaining passengers, and those passengers were subjected to long delays while freight cars were switched on and off at stops along the way. Frequently the passenger coach was empty. Finally, in December 1965 the railroad was granted permission from the Interstate Commerce Commission to drop the passenger service.In 1982 a group of lawyers, calling themselves the Court Street Partners, purchased the Great Northern Railway freight and passenger depot and freight warehouse. The building was later appointed to the National Register of Historic Places. Renovation and restoration undertaken by the Court Street Partners is now complete and has been certified as conforming to the Department of Interior regulations that apply to restoration of historic landmarks."

In order for this this depot to be constructed, one of Aberdeen's first hotels, the Park Place, had to be moved. And this was after a court case ensued to determine if the Great Northern Railway was to pay for this removal or not, and if they were to pay, how much would they be paying for said removal. A jury determined the railway had to pay $17,000 in 1906. Soon this L-shaped depot was constructed, mainly to be a stop for the shuttling of freight such as grain, though it was also used for passengers as well. This depot was used until 1965. It closed due to as less and less people used the railway and the Aberdeen stop. Since 1982 it has housed the law office of Richardson, Wyly, Wise, Sauck & Hieb, LLP.  

Great Northern Railway Passenger and Freight Depot (Aberdeen, South Dakota)

Cultural Institution: our primary function is to be the cultural and historical vanguard for the county and city. This included providing accurate and well-curated exhibits, presenting local history, bringing in traveling exhibits that expand knowledge and a greater world view, hosting authors and artists receptions, and providing a community place for citizens and visitors to gather that is safe, interesting and welcoming.Research &amp; Archives: the museum is a resource for area historians as well as across the county and internationally. Requests come from all over and staff comb through archives, documents, photos and anything else that may be help to a researcher. The museum’s photo archives provide many images of the early days of Aberdeen and Brown County that would be otherwise lost to time. Researchers are welcome to call ahead and ask to look through archival material at the museum. These are invaluable resources that will always be available to inquiring public.Educational Programming: the museum provides enrichment for patrons of all ages. For school-aged children there are many programs: Afternoons in the Past is a program that hosts 3rd and 4th grades from local and area schools, some from as far as Ashley, ND and Woonsocket, SD, for an experience of life in the 1880s. Students churn butter, dip candles, handle real artifacts and experience some pre-modern age chores. Art workshops are available at different times of the year for 6 – 14 year olds. Lead by a certified art teacher, children explore many concepts that include style and medium. Camps are offered during the summer specializing in History, Art and Curating. Over 200 campers experience a variety of activities that are hands-on, educational, and above all, fun.Retail Presence: The gift shop, The Mercantile, is a perfect way to cap a visit to the museum. Books on local and state history, heritage crafts, vintage toys, retro candy and South Dakota promotional merchandise are favorite take-a-ways. Local artisans, authors and non-profit groups are welcome to sell their wares through our store. Not only does the shop provide sales tax to the city, state and South Dakota tourism, but all of the profits go right back into the betterment of the museum. Everything stays local and close to home while providing a special reminder of a wonderful visit to the museum.

The Dacotah Prairie Museum celebrates 50+ years as Brown County’s premier history museum. Over the decades the Museum has been a storehouse for the county’s collective memory and has provided exceptional archival, research, exhibit and educational services. The Museum is housed in the historic Northwestern Bank building built in 1889, a cornerstone of Aberdeen’s vibrant downtown district. Exhibits on display highlight Brown County's history and the people who lived here past and present. Art exhibits by local artists rotate through the galleries on a regular basis as well as traveling STEM and history exhibits. Finish your visit with a spin through The Mercantile gift shop for a fun and memorable takeaway souvenir. Gallery &amp; Gift Shop Hours: Tues.-Fri. 10am-5pm and Sat. 11am-4pm. Closed Sundays, Mondays and major holidays. Free admission, donations appreciated. Check out the latest exhibits and events at www.dacotahprairiemuseum.com and on Facebook, Instagram &amp; Twitter @dacotahprairie

Dacotah Prairie Museum

As the 20th century came closer, F.H. Hagerty and his associate William M. Lloyd, Jr., local bankers, realized that Aberdeen had big growth coming as plans were made to make the city a major railroad hub in the Dakota territory. The realization inspired them to make plans and set money aside for the creation of a new residential district near the popular commercial district that can be near the coming hub and yet far away enough from the slough, or swampy, areas. Plans began in 1882.&nbsp; By 1889, land was purchased and the city council began to establish a standardization for the city's street, many still unpaved and never given permanent names&nbsp;at the time. Hagerty and Lloyd's "addition" was one of 6 such additions planned for the city. Soon houses began popping up at a rapid pace throughout the district.&nbsp; Whatever land leftover that was not having a house constructed on it, the two men donated it for the purposes of churches and schools to be constructed. For many years after the early 20th century, this district was known for its prosperous residents, though not very wealthy, who lived in beautiful homes of various architectural styles. The district had and still is a very popular place to live in. Today, there walking tours held for the district or visitors can do a self-guided one. The district includes 62&nbsp;contributing buildings, including works by&nbsp;E.W. Van Meter,&nbsp;George Fossum, and&nbsp;Ursa Louis Freed, and includes&nbsp;Colonial Revival,&nbsp;Italianate, and&nbsp;Queen Anne&nbsp;architecture&nbsp;

Also known as the Aberdeen Historic District, the Hagerty & Lloyd district (also known as an "addition") is the city's most famous district. Constituting of Third Ave SE, 6th Ave SE and bordered by Jay and Arch streets, this rectangular district was created under the aspirations of two local bankers seeking to expand the city as it's role as an important railroad hub in the the territory gained prominence. The area was also favored because of its "dry" status. This meant that it did run off a slough, or, a swamp. Much of the city was in slough-like situation due to the Moccasin Creek that ran through it. The district is often visited and locals help out by holding walking tours. 

Hagerty & Lloyd Historic District

Growing up in New York, L. Frank Baum aspired to be a writer and actor. Achieving these dreams after many menial jobs, Baum was known from the 1880s for his short plays and acting abilities. However, while on tour, the theater he worked for burned down in 1882. For the next 6 years He and his new bride sought out a meager living. Hearing about the success and riches of the Dakota Territory boom ushered in by the discovery of gold in the late 1870s, the clearing out of the Sioux and for the available land for people seeking out new beginnings, the Baums moved to Aberdeen in July of&nbsp;1888, one of the largest towns of the territory at the time.&nbsp; Baum's solution to the financial woes of his family was to open a store, a bazaar, that offered the people of Aberdeen and travelers coming through, luxury items. The store opened in late 1888. Despite initial success, the store went broke the next year. The reason for this sudden failure was Baum's generosity in issuing credit to his shoppers, with terms that favored the shopper, not the store. Going broke and closing shop, the Baums once again struggled to make a living. Just a few buildings south of the store, Baum edited for&nbsp;a local&nbsp;newspaper,&nbsp;The Saturday Aberdeen Pioneer. However, after a year of this work, the Baums were were forced to move again. They settled in Chicago in 1891. It is in Chicago that&nbsp;The Wonderful Wizard of Oz would be published. It is believed that Baum's description of Kansas was based on his time in South Dakota.&nbsp; &nbsp; The original store building does not exist today. Aberdeen's Storybook Land offers guides on "L. Frank Baum's Aberdeen" and the park has a section on Oz dedicated to Baum.&nbsp;

L. Frank Baum, who would later be famous for his tales of Oz, came to Aberdeen South Dakota 1888 with his small family from their home in New York. While living here for 3 years, Baum opened this bazaar. The purpose of his store was to offer luxury goods to the people during the Dakotas economic boom that took place due to gold being discovered in the 1870s and land available for those seeking to start anew. However, Baum's Bazaar failed a year later as the boom ended; and for his knack of being too generous with giving people credit. A new building replaced the bazaar years later. He would edit a local newspaper until 1891 when economic circumstances forced the family to move, this time to Chicago. 

Baum's Bazaars

*History of the church out together by Devena Holmes, member of Aberdeen's Historical Society* "In the Aberdeen Area Historical collection there are a number of churches, perhaps the most iconic of which is the First United Methodist Church. Records in the collection state that the first meeting of the First Methodist Congregation took place in 1881, where it is said that planks set across empty beer barrels were used as seating. In 1884 they built their first chapel, but due to the need to make room for a rapidly growing congregation, they built the church that is still standing on Lincoln Street to replace their old one. It was opened to the public on the evening of October 21st, 1909, for a grand concert of the Redpath’s Grand Quartet that included Frank Martin, who was reported to have been the highest salaried church soloist in the world. The concert was a success, and about 1,100 people attended. Furthermore, at the dedication of the church on November 7th, more than $18,000 was raised. When added to former donations, this amount completely paid for the $70,000 building, and the church was left debt free. Described in local newspapers as a “Spanish” construction, the building follows the Byzantine style of architecture, and because of this and its rich history, it has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places. Needless to say, it continues to be one of the most beautiful and historic places in Aberdeen."

This is the most iconic church found in Aberdeen. As Aberdeen grew, so did its Methodist population. Generally meeting in the open and sitting on planks held up by beer barrels, Aberdeen's Methodists got together to build a church. The first one constructed suited their needs only for a short time. By 1909, this church was finished after four years of work, big enough for the congregation and ready for increasing membership. This church is still very active to this day. 

First United Methodist Church (Aberdeen, South Dakota)

This home was owned by the L. Frank Baum family for three years as they lived in Aberdeen from 1888-1891. Having moved here from New York, the Baum's came to the Dakota Territory hoping to make a comfortable living. In 1882, when in New York and on tour with one of his plays, L. Frank Baum's theater burned down. For the next six years, the Baum's struggled to make a living. Hearing of the Dakota Territory's economic boom, brought on by the discovery of gold un the late 1870s and available land after the Sioux indians were driven off, the Baum's hoped to begin a new life in the territory. They arrived in July of 1888.&nbsp; For the next three years the family owned a store, Baum's Bazaar, that failed after one year due to L. Frank's generosity of issuing credit. Then for the rest of the time in Aberdeen, L. Frank edited the local&nbsp;The Saturday Aberdeen Pioneer. Even with this more stable employment, the family struggled to eek out a living. In 1892, they sold the house and moved to Chicago, where L. Frank would write&nbsp;The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, with South Dakota more than likely the inspiration for Baum's description of Kansas.&nbsp; Visitors can come see the Baum home, but it is privately owned.&nbsp; &nbsp;

As the Dakota Territory's economic boom drew to a close, L. Frank Baum, future author of The Wonder Wizard of Oz, and his family moved to Aberdeen to make a living, having lost their living off of L. Frank's writing and acting following a fire that destroyed the theater he worked for in New York City. Arriving in Aberdeen in 1888, the Baum's lived in this home until forced to move in 1891 to Chicago, again for economic reasons. The home today is privately owned. 

Aberdeen South Dakota Historic Walking Tour

Aberdeen's Highlands Historic District

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Backstory and Context

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