The town of Wessington Springs has a history that runs as deep as the roots of the three-hundred year old trees that are found throughout its hills.  The site of the town was staked out in May of 1882, but the true story of Wessington Springs began long before Columbus even thought of sailing to this continent. 

The Wessington Springs town site was platted in 1882, but Main Street did not get its first building until 1883.  Over the years Main Street has been host to businesses of all types, tailor shops, photo studios, service stations, meat markets, lumber yards, music stores, a hatchery, and many more.   In the early 1900's Main Street was also the center of activity on Friday and Saturday evenings.  Families would come to town and socialize on the board walk while children played in the street.

What's in a Name?

Our area is rich when it comes to legends and stories of Native Americans, fur traders, pioneers, and personal sacrifice.  One story that has intrigued the citizens of Wessington Springs for as long as it has been a town is the origin of the town's name.  The second half of the name, Springs, comes from the natural springs that flow through the hills.  Wessington is the name of the hills at which the town rests, but from where does that name come?  Many stories tell of a man named Wessington, but no person knows for sure what Wessington's connection to the area was.

One story states that Wessington was a trapper who visited the area around 1862.  Wessington and his fellow trappers were attacked by Indians and fled for the safety of the hills, but the Indians pursued them and killed them.  Wessington was killed near the big spring and his blood flowed into the spring, so someone named the hills after the man whose blood flowed with the water.

A second story simply states that Wessington was  the man who discovered the springs in the area, so the hills were named after him.

The third and most intriguing story states that Wessington was a trapper who spent most of his time in the area of the hills.   He and some other trappers were camped along Firesteel Creek when some Sioux descended upon them.  Wessington and his comrades fled to the hills and were able to fight off the band of Sioux for several days, until they ran out of ammunition.   Wessington was then caught, tied to a tree, and tortured.

Other points of historical interest in the area:

Cleveland Hall Monument and grave
A Civil War buff's dream come true. You will find the final resting place of a true Civil War hero in Prospect Hill Cemetery in Wessington Springs. Cleveland T. Hall saved Washington , D.C. , riding roughshod through Confederate lines to warn President Abraham Lincoln. He suffered seven bullet wounds and two saber cuts during his ride to save the Union . Look for signs in the cemetery.

Noble's Trail
In 1857 the trail was built by Col. W.H. Nobles, along the north ridge of South Gulch. The flowing springs in the Wessington Hills provided water for men and livestock as Nobles Trail was used by 136 oxen-drawn wagons and three companies of soldiers in 1863. They eventually arrived at Ft. Thompson, in time to feed Indians who were starving.

Old Grade Nature Trail
Enjoy a brisk hike up (or down) this Springs landmark-an early entry to town. An historic stone arch bridge, hand built by Anton Reindl in 1895, and stops along the way to identify local flora enrich the experience.