The Town of Valley Springs

Surprisingly this weeks historical marker sort of connects to the one I talked about last week with South Dakota's first poet laureate Badger Clark. This week we are back in our neck of the woods just over 20 miles east of Sioux Falls The Town of Valley Springs. We first start hearing about Valley Springs in 1872 and unlike some of the other towns where we aren't quite sure where the name comes from this one is because there were springs... in the valley... So I feel good about the origin of the name, makes sense hey we are in a valley, look there's springs.  

Valley Springs has some booming years with a flour mill the railroad, schools, churches, hotels and a fire department but the town was also struck by a few tornados and for whatever reasons Valley Springs never quite became a city. It's still a lovely little town with about 900 residents.  

One of the unique stories I found when looking into the history of Valley Springs was Holden Kinyon was the postmaster in Valley springs from 1890 until 1913 with his wife Jane as his assistant they ran the post office for 23 years under 6 different presidents! 

Longtime Valley Springs resident Adeline M Jenney would be named South Dakota’s second Poet Laureate. You can imagine my surprise when I read that along with an excerpt from a poem of hers on the historical marker itself. I guess I am just in my South Dakota Poet Laureate phase. 

The Town of Valley Springs episode of Local Lou goes more into detail about the tornadoes that rocked the town, check it out today! 

https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/7sgqrUihcNb

Pasque-crowned, green-kirtled Spring with a promise
Met our people that April day
As their oxen stopped their weary plodding
At a stream they could trace on their claim's survey. 

-Adeline M. Jenney

Adeline Jenney, Second Poet Laureate of South Dakota and longtime Valley Springs resident, wrote "They Were Able" to honor the memory of the New England and Scandinavian immigrants who followed schooner trails into this favorable Minnesota Territory valley from 1868 to 1873. This area was officially opened for settlement by the Homestead Act of 1862 and adventurous pioneers traveled the stage road (now Cliff Avenue) into town. At that time, two stage coach routes crossed near the east side of present day Cassidy Park. The unpopulated area was attractive to settlers because of the many underground springs that supplied Beaver Creek. Valley Springs derived its name from the springs that were located in the valley. Before suitable timber was available, initial construction consisted of dugout homes and the first commercial building served as a store and lodging for travelers. Eventually, lumber was hauled from Sibley IA on a crudely marked freight trail.

Jonathan Dunham, known as the "Father of Valley Springs," made application for the post office in 1873, and initiated the town's incorporation in 1878. Private homes acted as schools and churches until 1878 when a school building and church were erected. This same year saw the arrival of the first passenger train in Dakota Territory from the East. With the introduction of the railroad, the town's "Boom Years" began. Four hotels were built and two newspapers were published. A newly organized fire department offered the town and the surrounding area protection from deadly prairie fires. The "Air Dome", a uniquely constructed dance hall, was a social gathering spot. For ventilation, the sides of the dome were raised.

In the late 1800's, Valley Springs was the area's largest grain and livestock shipping point. Rich, fertile land helped agriculture to flourish. The town's major industry was the Valley Springs Roller Mill Co., a four story plant with an output of 200 barrels of flour per day. The mill, first in the county to be run by steam, shipped four brands of flour to the East and overseas daily.

With the introduction of the automobile and the loss of passenger trains to the area, industry declined. Valley Springs remains a quiet and friendly residential community with a rich history.