Living Like Laura in DeSmet, South Dakota

Last Updated on May 21, 2020 by Jody Halsted

I can remember reading the ‘Little House' books by Laura Ingalls Wilder over and over again as a child growing up in southwest Iowa. I never tired of Laura's stories of life on the western frontier.

And though I knew Laura's story was (mostly) true it never occurred to me that I could visit the places where Laura once roamed the prairies.

Little House on the Prairie, DeSmet, South Dakota
Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

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When my daughters were 6 & 8 I began sharing the ‘Little House' books with them. I first read the books aloud, the girls listening raptly as Ma encountered the bear in Wisconsin, as Jack was swept away by the river in Missouri (there may have been tears when that happened), and as the family survived the South Dakota blizzards.

My eldest daughter took ownership of the series soon after we finished, reading them over and over, much like I did when I was her age. Even today she can still be found with a ‘Laura book' when she has a bit of quiet time. She says reading the books are ‘like visiting an old friend you haven't seen in a while.'

In late 2013 I surprised my girls with a trip to “visit” Laura in South Dakota. Though the trip took place a few years ago it remains one of my favorite mother/ daughter(s) memories.

Meeting Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet, South Dakota

Five of the eight books Laura wrote about her life took place in and around DeSmet, South Dakota. From the family's move in By the Shores of Silver Lake through These Happy Golden Years, Laura and her family settled, struggled, and survived in the often harsh prairie conditions of South Dakota.

covered wagon, Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
covered wagon crossing the prairie

In DeSmet

Begin your Laura explorations in DeSmet at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Memorial Society.

Just next door is the Surveyor's House. Readers will remember this as the largest house Laura had ever lived in – and the pantry was full of good food! Also on this site are the original schoolhouse (where Laura rocked the desk for Miss Wilder) and a recreation of the Brewster Schoolhouse where Laura had her first teaching position.

Surveyor's House, DeSmet, South Dakota, Laura Ingalls Wilder
Surveyor's House

After touring these buildings you will drive (or walk) to the site of the Ingalls home in town. This house was built by Pa after Laura was married, but a visit is well worth your time.

Here you'll learn more about Mary, see the organ Laura paid for with the money from her second teaching position, and many other items that were owned by the Ingalls family. My personal favorite was the Pa's big green book of the animal kingdom.

From the house you can also see the church Pa helped build.

Tip:  You can pick up a map of “Laura sites” at the Memorial Society.

My recommendation- return to the Memorial Society after your tour of the house Pa built. Take the time to view the museum in back of the Memorial Society building, make a few purchases from the gift shop, and then head across the street to the Discover Center. Though not a “Laura site”, this is a fun, interactive place the kids will love. When we visited the girls were able to try on clothes, write in braille, and experience schooling like Laura did.

Working with primers and slates
In the Discovery Center

Continue your walk in Laura's shoes with a stroll down the town's original street. Though Pa's store building is gone, you can still shop at the original Loftus Store.

An entire section of the store is devoted to all things Laura and this is the perfect place to pick out a prairie dress or bonnet.

At the Loftus Store, DeSmet, South Dakota
In front of the Loftus Store – in new dresses!

On the same street as the Loftus Store are the sites of places mentioned in Laura's books: the Mead Hotel, the Wilder Brothers' Store, Fuller's Store, and Pa's Store.  Looking at the locations of these buildings and remembering ‘The Long Winter' gives you an idea of how harsh that winter was and the unimaginable amounts of snow that fell over the prairie.

Heading out of town to the west takes you to DeSmet Cemetery where the Ingalls family, minus Laura, are buried. You'll also find a dozen other people you ‘know' from Laura's books including Mr. & Mrs. Boast.

The Ingalls Homestead 

Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
Overlooking the house on the Ingalls Homestead

Leaving DeSmet and heading east along Highway 14 takes you across the Big Slough to the site of the Ingalls Homestead. This is the land that Pa would have lost had Mr. Edwards not overheard the men who planned to jump him when he went to stake his claim. Though the original house and barn are long gone, the buildings have been recreated using Pa's descriptions and drawings.

It is here on the homestead that you can really ‘live like Laura'.

Tending the cats, Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
Tending the Barn Cats

See what a dugout and shanty house were really like- and try to imagine a family of 5 living there. Visit the chickens and cats in the hay-roof barn. Then make your way to the ‘Little House' where you can create crafts and play old-time games, while outside you can try your hand at doing laundry.

In the far barn is the opportunity to make a corncob doll or a rope, and twist hay into kindling. Be sure to catch a covered wagon – you might even get a chance to drive! – to the Johnson Schoolhouse where you may hear tales of going to school in a one room schoolhouse.

Driving the Covered Wagon at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
Driving the Covered Wagon to the schoolhouse

To make your visit especially memorable, reserve a Covered Wagon for a night or two. Our wagon slept 4- and didn't leave a lot of room- but it was definitely an experience the girls enjoyed! Our space included a picnic table and fire pit, but the best fun was had running across the open land with new friends.

Playing at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
Playing at Ingalls Homestead
Our lodging at Ingalls Homestead- a Covered Wagon!
Our covered wagon for the night

My girls still talk about our visit to DeSmet, where Laura's books ‘came to life' for them. If you are a fan of the ‘Little House' books, DeSmet, South Dakota should be on your bucket list.

Helpful Links for Your Laura Explorations

DeSmet has 2 hotels and 2 B&Bs. Compare DeSmet lodging options.

Camping A few RV sites are available at the Ingalls Homestead. Nearby Lake Thompson, one of the ‘Twin Lakes' in Laura's books, has a very nice campground.

Eating Ward's Store and Bakery, across from the Loftus Store, serves tasty lunch specials. The Oxbow Restaurant on Highway 14 has the best breakfast in town.

DeSmet History Visit the DeSmet Depot Museum and the DeSmet Library for more pioneer history.

Shopping For Laura souvenirs and other fun gifts – The Ingalls Homestead, The Loftus Store, Ward's Store and Bakery, and Prairie Town Gifts.

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Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota
sights from DeSmet, South Dakota
Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

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