• Home
  • Blog
    • Archives
  • About
  • Disclosure
    • Privacy Policy

Family Rambling

not all destinations can be found on a map

  • Travel
    • Family Travel
    • Adults Only
  • Exploring the Midwest
  • Explore the USA
  • Ireland Travel
  • Blogging Biz
This site generates income via partnerships with carefully selected travel brands and/ or purchases made through links to them. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See why this is important.
You are here: Home / Travel / USA / Visiting Wall Drug : Prairie Kitsch of Presidential Proportions

Visiting Wall Drug : Prairie Kitsch of Presidential Proportions

By Jody Halsted August 7, 2016

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pocket
  • Print

Last Updated on August 7, 2019

The signs, at first many miles apart, begin to appear as you cross the border into South Dakota. As your journey continues toward the heart of the prairie, the signs become more frequent. 

Wall Drug sign Collage
Wall Drug signs

As the buildup of signs continues you are drawn to exit I-90 at the small town of Wall, just so you can answer the iconic bumper sticker question with a resounding “YES”. 

Have You Dug Wall Drug?

Wall Drug, Wall, South Dakota
Wall Drug

When the Hustead’s bought the only drug store in the tiny town of Wall, South Dakota, in 1931, the town was about as rural as you could get. In fact, Ted Hustead’s father-in-law called the area Godforsaken. The great depression had only just begun, Mount Rushmore was years from being completed, and prohibition was the law of the land. You could likely say that hope was in short supply. 

Setting a 5 year trial period, the Hustead’s dedicated themselves to building their business. It wasn’t until the brutally hot summer of 1936, just before their trial period ended, that Dorothy Hustead had an idea that would put Wall on the map. 

You see, cars didn’t have air conditioning in the 1930s. And the dry, dusty air blowing through the windows only proved to make people thirstier. Dorothy reasoned that people might just pull off the main road and make a stop for free ice water. And, along with those stops, they just might buy an ice cream cone, or a root beer. 

Dorothy was right. And Wall Drug still offers free ice water to thirsty travelers today. 

Find a place to stay near Wall Drug!

The Wall Drug Experience

Though Doug and I had stopped at Wall Drug before, our girls had never had the experience. Needless to say, they were nearly overwhelmed by the cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells that assaulted them as they entered the door.  

Inside Wall Drug
Inside Wall Drug

Doughuts! Black Hills Gold! Animatronic gunfighters! Authentic Native American Artifacts! Jackalopes!  

Of course our eldest wanted to go one way, while our youngest wanted to go another. Splitting up and staying in touch via text seemed the best idea. 

While Wall Drug is filled with shops in their mall, you can find plenty to amuse the kids for free. Bronc bustin’, jackalope ridin’, T-Rex roarin’, and water splashin’ are only a few of the fun freebies. For just a few dollars, kids can also go mining, panning and digging in the Old Mining Company or play a few games in the Branding Iron Arcade. 

Free fun for kids at Wall Drug
Free fun for kids at Wall Drug

After the free fun, we stopped in a few of the shops. Giving the girls each 5 dollars, we roamed through store after store. Little Indian dolls in real buckskin dresses cost too much. As did pink cowboy boots, and a stuffed rattlesnake {shudder}. Finally finding treasures in The Rock Shop, we were able to move on. 

Wall Drug can see up to 20,000 visitors a day during the busy summer months and while we would have liked to grab a quick lunch in the Western Art Gallery Café, the wait was just too long.  

There’s always next time…  As they say, all signs lead to Wall Drug.

Have you dug Wall Drug?

Looking for more
South Dakota Travel Tips?

  • Pinterest
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Email
  • Pocket
  • Print

Related

«
»

3 Comments · Filed Under: Travel, USA · Tagged With: Midwest, 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. fordman19752006 says

    November 4, 2013 at 2:25 pm

    Every time I come out to Rapid City to see my father who has helped put many of those Wall Drug Signs for many years, I have to stop in there. Pretty much my whole family has worked at Wall Drug and yes if you want to know if it gets crazy in there yes it does and it is such a blast meeting soooooooo many new people and employees who come from ALL over to work there.

    Reply
  2. iatraveler says

    November 4, 2013 at 6:10 pm

    fordman19752006 Thank you so much for sharing your memories of Wall Drug! It truly is an icon of the prairie!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Camping Tips for Badlands National Park in South Dakota says:
    January 5, 2020 at 5:51 pm

    […] Traveling along I-90? You don't want to skip Wall Drug: Prairie Kitsch of Presidential Proportions […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Where do you want to go?

Welcome!!!

Hi! I am so glad you’re here! My name is Jody Halsted and you’ve found my little home on the web.
Want to know a bit more about me? It's all right here....

Shopping Online?

Ebates Coupons and Cash Back

Trusted Travel Gear

Family Travel Deals

Generic_250x250

Flat $15* off on Flights with our Columbus Day Deals! Book Now!

Proud to be Featured at

Top 20 Family Blogger award
Alltop, all the cool kids (and me) 25 Best Travel Blogs
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2021 · Design by Design Chicky

Copyright © 2021 · Sprinkle Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.