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History of Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA
Journey back in time to Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA
Explore Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA! Uncover its rich history and discover the stories of the people who once called it home. Dive into old newspaper articles, vintage pictures, postcards, and genealogy to learn more about this fascinating town.Do You Have Aberdeen Ancestry? Share YOUR Family Story!

Aberdeen, Brown, SD
Named for Aberdeen, Scotland, the hometown of Milwaukee Railroad President Alexander Mitchell, this new city incorporated in 1881 quickly became known as the Hub City of the Dakotas, and the Brown County seat.
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Explore even more about Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA. Keep reading!
Aberdeen Nostalgia: Vintage Photos, Ads, and Postcards
Discover Unique Gift Ideas from or related to Aberdeen


SOUTH DAKOTA ROOTS - "My Ancestors Came From South Dakota" Ceramic Mug – Embrace Your Black Hills Heritage
Sip your favorite brew while celebrating your South Dakotan roots with our South Dakota-inspired ceramic mug! Featuring the witty caption, "My Ancestors Came From South Dakota! That explains a lot about my love for the Black Hills, where hiking trails are more crowded than rush hour traffic in Sioux Falls," this mug is perfect for anyone with a soft spot for the picturesque Black Hills and their bustling trails.

Patriotic Memories: Memorial Day Vintage Postcard Coffee Mug
Remembering the Brave, Honoring the Fallen Celebrate the spirit of Memorial Day with this stunning ceramic coffee mug featuring vintage postcards commemorating the holiday. Perfect for honoring the brave men and women who served, this mug is both a functional keepsake and a nostalgic work of art. Whether you're sipping your morning coffee or enjoying an afternoon tea, this dishwasher-safe and microwave-friendly mug is a timeless way to show your patriotism. Ideal as a gift for veterans, history buffs, or anyone who cherishes American traditions, this mug makes Memorial Day even more meaningful.
Discover Aberdeen: History, News, Travel, and Stories

1889 - A TERRIFIC EXPLOSION. Three Men Killed by an Accident to a Threshing Machine.
A terrible accident occurred about noon at the farm of CHARLES DINSMORE, eighteen miles southwest of Aberdeen, Dakota. Three men were killed and several others seriously injured by the explosion of a threshing machine engine boiler.
The engineer, FRANK ARHSWOLDT, aged twenty-nine years, was blown seventeen rods and instantly killed. WILLIAM SHEELER, aged twenty-three, was blown twelve rods, and was dead when picked up. The fireman, whose name is unknown, recently from Jackson, Mich., aged about twenty-five, had his head blown off.
J. KRITEL had a leg broken and was badly scalded on the other leg and body. Two others were injured, but not dangerously. A team of horses attached to a water wagon was blown into the air and carried several rods. The wreck of the engine was scattered all over the prairie.
J. SHINSKY, the owner of the engine, was absent at the time of the accident. It is supposed to have occurred from a defective boiler which had been used five years and was cracked ... Read MORE...
A terrible accident occurred about noon at the farm of CHARLES DINSMORE, eighteen miles southwest of Aberdeen, Dakota. Three men were killed and several others seriously injured by the explosion of a threshing machine engine boiler.
The engineer, FRANK ARHSWOLDT, aged twenty-nine years, was blown seventeen rods and instantly killed. WILLIAM SHEELER, aged twenty-three, was blown twelve rods, and was dead when picked up. The fireman, whose name is unknown, recently from Jackson, Mich., aged about twenty-five, had his head blown off.
J. KRITEL had a leg broken and was badly scalded on the other leg and body. Two others were injured, but not dangerously. A team of horses attached to a water wagon was blown into the air and carried several rods. The wreck of the engine was scattered all over the prairie.
J. SHINSKY, the owner of the engine, was absent at the time of the accident. It is supposed to have occurred from a defective boiler which had been used five years and was cracked ... Read MORE...
1895 - Aberdeen
Aberdeen, a city of South Dakota, the capital of Brown co., at the junction of several railroads, 82 miles N. of Huron. It has 8 churches, 3 banks, a system of graded schools, several flowing artesian wells, which furnish abundant water-power, and manufactures of boots and shoes, soap, machinery, ploughs, flour and feed, &c. Seven newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1890, 3172.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
Aberdeen, a city of South Dakota, the capital of Brown co., at the junction of several railroads, 82 miles N. of Huron. It has 8 churches, 3 banks, a system of graded schools, several flowing artesian wells, which furnish abundant water-power, and manufactures of boots and shoes, soap, machinery, ploughs, flour and feed, &c. Seven newspapers are published here. Pop. in 1890, 3172.
Lippincott's Gazetteer of the World: A Complete Pronouncing Gazetteer Or Geographical Dictionary of the World Containing Notices of Over One Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Places ... Joseph Thomas January 1, 1895 J.B. Lippincott
1900 - Gas Plant Burns. Gas and Electric Light Plants Destroyed Early Monday Morning.
At 2:30 Monday morning the round building covering the gas holder at the gas and electric light works was discovered to be in flames. The building was a frame structure and was a mere shell to protect the big inverted tank from the elements, and it took but a short time for the building to be enveloped in fire in all its parts. The fire appears to have caught on the south side of the structure, and its origin seems to be unknown. No light or fire was ever used about the building and there is nothing but a stretch of prairie south of it to the Great Northern railway tracks. It is therefore difficult to understand how the fire could have caught in the place it must have originated. The frame structure was entirely consumed, every vestige of the building being burned and the steel framework inside, which braced the big columns upon which the tank was balanced when as it raised when the volume of gas was increased, are warped and twisted by the heat.
When the fire was discovered, and... Read MORE...
At 2:30 Monday morning the round building covering the gas holder at the gas and electric light works was discovered to be in flames. The building was a frame structure and was a mere shell to protect the big inverted tank from the elements, and it took but a short time for the building to be enveloped in fire in all its parts. The fire appears to have caught on the south side of the structure, and its origin seems to be unknown. No light or fire was ever used about the building and there is nothing but a stretch of prairie south of it to the Great Northern railway tracks. It is therefore difficult to understand how the fire could have caught in the place it must have originated. The frame structure was entirely consumed, every vestige of the building being burned and the steel framework inside, which braced the big columns upon which the tank was balanced when as it raised when the volume of gas was increased, are warped and twisted by the heat.
When the fire was discovered, and... Read MORE...
1911 - FIRE DESTROYS DEPOT AND FREIGHT HOUSE. MILWAUKEE ROAD SUFFERS $200,000 LOSS AT ABERDEEN, SOUTH DAKOTA.
Aberdeen, S. D., Jan. 23. - Division headquarters and local freight houses and passenger station of the Milwaukee railroad were burned here today. The loss is $200,000.
Waterloo Reporter
Waterloo, Iowa
January 23, 1911
Aberdeen, S. D., Jan. 23. - Division headquarters and local freight houses and passenger station of the Milwaukee railroad were burned here today. The loss is $200,000.
Waterloo Reporter
Waterloo, Iowa
January 23, 1911
Here are some of the best places to go and things to do in and around Aberdeen:
**1. Downtown Aberdeen:
Start your exploration of Aberdeen in its historic downtown area. Here you'll find a mix of charming shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Take a leisurely stroll along Main Street and explore the locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores. Be sure to check out the Dacotah Prairie Museum, which offers insights into the history and culture of the region.
**2. Storybook Land:
Aberdeen's Storybook Land is a delightful family-friendly attraction that brings beloved nursery rhymes and fairy tales to life. Kids will love exploring the various storybook-themed exhibits, including Cinderella's Castle, the Three Little Pigs' houses, and more. It's a whimsical place for children and the young at heart.
**3. Wylie Park:
Located adjacent to Storybook Land, Wylie Park is a 210-acre oasis of greenery and outdoor activities. You can enjoy swimming in the man-made Wylie Lake, have a picnic, play mini-golf, or take a paddleboat ride. The... Read MORE...
**1. Downtown Aberdeen:
Start your exploration of Aberdeen in its historic downtown area. Here you'll find a mix of charming shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions. Take a leisurely stroll along Main Street and explore the locally-owned boutiques, art galleries, and antique stores. Be sure to check out the Dacotah Prairie Museum, which offers insights into the history and culture of the region.
**2. Storybook Land:
Aberdeen's Storybook Land is a delightful family-friendly attraction that brings beloved nursery rhymes and fairy tales to life. Kids will love exploring the various storybook-themed exhibits, including Cinderella's Castle, the Three Little Pigs' houses, and more. It's a whimsical place for children and the young at heart.
**3. Wylie Park:
Located adjacent to Storybook Land, Wylie Park is a 210-acre oasis of greenery and outdoor activities. You can enjoy swimming in the man-made Wylie Lake, have a picnic, play mini-golf, or take a paddleboat ride. The... Read MORE...
Discover YOUR Roots: Aberdeen Ancestry
Ancestors Who Were Born or Died in Aberdeen, South Dakota, USA
We currently have information about 7 ancestors who were born or died in Aberdeen.View Them Now (sorted by year of birth)
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