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You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Finding Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet, South Dakota – #igtravelthursday

Finding Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet, South Dakota – #igtravelthursday

By Jody Halsted August 22, 2013

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Five of the eight books Laura Ingalls Wilder wrote for the Little House series were written about her life in and around DeSmet, South Dakota.  Since reading the books together – and my eldest daughter re-reading them on her own – my girls have wanted to see where Laura lived.  So, we began our homeschool year with a little field trip.

The Laura Ingalls Wilder Historical Society of DeSmet owns three historic buildings:  The Surveyor’s House (By the Shores of Silver Lake), the fist school house in DeSmet (The Long Winter & Little Town on the Prairie) and the house Pa built in town after they moved in from the Homestead.  While the girls enjoyed these tours, they were mostly hands-off and photos were not allowed inside the buildings.

Across the street from the Surveyor’s House, however, is the Discovery Center, where kids can dress like Laura and get hands on.

Working with primers and slates like Laura Ingalls Wilder

One room schooling

The only original building on Main Street is Loftus’ Store.  With a large selection of Laura books and trinkets, you can also buy yourself a dress and bonnet.

At Loftus Store, DeSmet, South Dakota

Little Girls on the Prairie

While we had fun in town, what the girls enjoyed most was the Ingalls Homestead– the very claim filed by Pa in ‘By the Shores of Silver Lake’.

Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

A bit of a history lesson

Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Overlooking the house Pa built on the claim

Driving the Pony Cart at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Driving the Pony Cart

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

Driving the Covered Wagon

Our lodging at Ingalls Homestead- a Covered Wagon!

Our lodging at Ingalls Homestead- a Covered Wagon!

Inside the Covered Wagon at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Room for 5 + a bathroom. Hint: Its hanging on the door!

Morning visitor at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Morning visitor to our covered wagon

Helping with the horses at Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Helping with the horses

Ingalls Homestead, DeSmet, South Dakota

Ingalls Homestead visitor’s center

We had an incredible time at the Ingalls Homestead.  The girls learned about toys and activities of Laura’s time, made corncob dolls, did wash, and explored the place Laura called home.  We highly recommend it for anyone- even if you haven’t read the books.

You can follow Family Rambling on Instagram and be sure to click the logo below to check out more #igtravelthursday posts!

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8 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Fun for Kids, history, South Dakota

About Jody Halsted

Jody Halsted is an award winning writer and podcaster specializing in travel, Ireland, camping, and RVing.
Based in the Midwest, Jody is a rambling soul who would love nothing more than to split her time between her RV and Ireland, but until then she ‘lives the dream’ in Iowa with her husband, two daughters, and a small menagerie of furry friends.

Award Winning Writer & Podcaster • Twitter • Instagram • Facebook • Pinterest

Comments

  1. Hinessightblog says

    August 22, 2013 at 8:48 am

    Jody, I thought your trip was fascinating.  I admire you for staying in the wagon with no bathroom. 

    Thanks for linking up with us.

    Reply
    • iatraveler says

      August 22, 2013 at 9:42 pm

      Hinessightblog Thank you.  To be fair, there was a bathroom/ shower not far from our covered wagon.  🙂

      Reply
  2. travelturtlefamily says

    August 22, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Wow! This is really cool. The dress and bonnet really make the pictures. They should be required outfits for visits there.
    Question: Where do the other books take place?

    Reply
    • iatraveler says

      August 22, 2013 at 9:41 pm

      travelturtlefamily The other books take place in: Pepin Wisconsin; south of Independence, Kansas; Walnut Grove, MN.  You’ll also find a bit in Burr Oak, Iowa (though Laura didn’t write about it) and Mansfield, MO, where Laura and Almanzo moved after leaving South Dakota.

      Reply
  3. houseofanais says

    August 22, 2013 at 10:09 am

    So cute! I used to love those books when I was little!

    Reply
  4. SatuVW says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:48 pm

    I loved the Little House series when I was a kid, but didn’t know there was this kind of place to visit. I love the photos, they look so old fashioned!

    Reply
    • iatraveler says

      August 22, 2013 at 9:39 pm

      SatuVW This is likely the most kid-friendly Laura Ingalls Wilder spot.  So much to do!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Exploring Aberdeen, South Dakota - #IGTravelThursday - Family Travel Tips How to Travel with Kids Family Rambling says:
    August 29, 2013 at 8:45 am

    […] our fun learning about Laura Ingalls Wilder in DeSmet, the girls and I headed north- to Aberdeen, South […]

    Reply

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