check it out
The Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society website has changed its layout and design; check out their new look! One interesting new feature is a video of "friends of the Ingalls family," with nice-and-clear period photographs you'll remember seeing if you've visited De Smet or subscribe to the Laura Ingalls Wilder LORE, but might not be familiar with otherwise. As this video looks to be the first in a series, keep an eye out for updates and additions.

Heads up, though. The photograph identified as "Mary Power Sanford and husband Edward [sic]" is not Mary Power Sanford and husband Edwin. It's Ernest and Minnie Green. And Ven Owen, Laura's teacher from These Happy Golden Years, is identified as Mr. Owens.


One of the photos in the video is of the De Smet City Park. As another photograph of text written on the back of this photo indicates, the park was built on railroad land lying between the depot and 1st Street, just east of Main (Calumet). Robert Boast was instrumental in the design and upkeep of both this park and the Kingsbury County Courthouse grounds. Mr. Boast was also known for the beautiful flowers and trees he planted on his own homestead northeast of town. The photo above is another view of a portion of the park. Today, the Hazel L. Meyer Public Library and the Railroad Apartments occupy the original park lands, while the road shown in the photo is now a narrow drive leading to the Depot Museum.

The photo blurb was written by Nathaniel "Nate" George Stimson, younger brother of Henry Alvin "Al" Stimson (early relief agent in De Smet). Both Nate and Al were sons of Henry Young Stimson, early depot agent in De Smet. Nate was born in Canistota, Dakota Territory, only months after Laura, Rose, and Almanzo Wilder left De Smet for Missouri in 1894. In 1905, H.Y. Stimson was assigned to De Smet as Agent.

After graduating from De Smet High School in 1912, Nate Stimson went to work for the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, taking over the position as night agent that his brother vacated in order to take a like position in Florida. Nate was De Smet agent until 1932, then worked at several other stations until returning to De Smet in 1948. Nate Stimson retired in 1969 when the depot was closed for good; the last passenger train had stopped in De Smet in 1961. Stimson died in De Smet in 1988.
- posted by pioneergirl at 6:37 PM