AURORA COUNTY, SD HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Aurora County, South Dakota: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the fertile James River Valley of south-central South Dakota, Aurora County is a classic example of a Great Plains agricultural community. Its history is deeply intertwined with the “Great Dakota Boom” of the late 19th century, the expansion of the railroads, and the determination of homesteaders who turned the prairie sod into productive farmland. For genealogists, the county’s records tell the story of American-born pioneers from the Midwest and Northern European immigrants who built a life on the vast, open grasslands.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Aurora County was created and organized during a period of rapid settlement and county formation in Dakota Territory.

  • 1879: County Formed: The boundaries for Aurora County were established by the Dakota Territorial Legislature on February 22, 1879.
  • 1881: County Organized: The official county government was organized on August 8, 1881, at which point record-keeping began.
  • Parent Counties: Aurora County was created from land previously part of Brule County and Hanson County. Any land transactions or administrative records predating 1879 would theoretically be found in the records of those parent counties.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained unchanged since its formation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for Aurora, the Roman goddess of the dawn, reflecting the optimism of the settlement era.
  • County Seat History: After its organization, a classic county seat rivalry developed between the two main towns on the new railroad line. Plankinton was named the temporary county seat in 1881. After a contentious vote in 1882, Plankinton was chosen as the permanent county seat over its rival, White Lake, and it has remained the center of county government ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The region was the traditional hunting and dwelling ground of various Sioux bands, particularly the Yanktonai Dakota.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The “Great Dakota Boom” (c. 1878-1887) brought a rush of settlers to the area. These homesteaders were primarily of American birth, hailing from states like Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and New York, alongside a significant influx of immigrants from Germany, Norway, the Netherlands, and other Northern European nations. The county’s economy was, and remains, based almost entirely on agriculture, primarily corn, soybeans, wheat, and cattle ranching.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Railroad: The arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway in 1880 was the single most important event in the county’s formation. The railroad aggressively promoted settlement and provided the essential link for homesteaders to arrive and for their crops to be shipped to eastern markets. The county’s towns, including Plankinton, White Lake, and Stickney, were all established along the rail line.
    • Homesteading: Virtually all the land in Aurora County was settled under the provisions of the Homestead Act of 1862. The process of “proving up” on a claim is a central part of the county’s history and a rich source of genealogical information found in land records.
    • Drought and Depression: The initial boom period was followed by severe drought in the late 1880s and 1890s, and later by the Dust Bowl and Great Depression of the 1930s. These periods of extreme hardship tested the resolve of the early settlers and shaped the county’s demographic and economic trajectory.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for Aurora County are centralized at the county courthouse in Plankinton.

  • County Courthouse: The Aurora County Courthouse, 401 N Main St, Plankinton, SD 57368, is the primary repository for all local historical records.
    • Register of Deeds: This is the most important office for genealogical research. It holds all land records from the time of the initial patents (deeds, mortgages), as well as birth, marriage, and death records from 1905 to the present.
    • Clerk of Courts: This office maintains all court filings, including probate and estate records, divorce decrees, and naturalization records.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Marriage, and Death Records: Statewide registration in South Dakota began on July 1, 1905. Records from that date forward are held by the Aurora County Register of Deeds. While certified copies for legal purposes are obtained from the South Dakota Department of Health, the local Register of Deeds office is the best source for genealogical research. Records prior to 1905 are scarce and inconsistent.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • South Dakota State Historical Society: Located in Pierre, the State Archives is an essential resource. It holds state census records (taken every ten years on the ‘5s’, e.g., 1885, 1895, 1905), an extensive microfilm collection of South Dakota newspapers, and other manuscript and biographical collections.
    • Local Libraries: The Plankinton City Library and White Lake Community Library may have local history collections, plat maps, and community records.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Jerauld County (north)
    • Sanborn County (northeast)
    • Davison County (east)
    • Douglas County (south)
    • Brule County (west)

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