DAY COUNTY, SD HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

*None Listed

Day County, South Dakota: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the glacier-carved Prairie Pothole Region of northeastern South Dakota, Day County is a landscape of rolling plains dotted with dozens of lakes. Its history is a classic Plains story, defined by its ancestral Dakota (Sioux) roots, the transformative arrival of the railroad, and the great wave of homesteaders who settled the land in the late 19th century. For genealogists, the county’s records document the establishment of a vibrant agricultural community by pioneers, largely of Scandinavian and German descent, on land that is part of the Lake Traverse Reservation.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Day County was established and organized during the “Great Dakota Boom,” a period of rapid settlement and the creation of numerous counties in the Dakota Territory.

  • 1879/1881: County Formed and Organized: The Dakota Territorial Legislature officially created the boundaries of Day County on February 22, 1879. It was formally organized with its own government on May 2, 1881.
  • Parent County: Day County was created from unorganized territory that was formerly part of the Sisseton Wahpeton Indian Reservation. Prior to its own organization in 1881, the area was attached to Codington County for administrative and judicial purposes.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its formation.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for Merritt H. Day, a Union Army veteran, pioneer surveyor, and influential member of the 1879 Territorial Legislature that established the county.
  • County Seat History: The location of the county seat was a point of intense rivalry in the county’s early years.
    • Webster was designated the temporary county seat upon organization in 1881.
    • An 1882 election resulted in the county seat being moved to Bristol.
    • After another contentious election in 1884, the seat was permanently moved back to Webster, where it has remained ever since.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The land is the ancestral territory of the Sisseton and Wahpeton bands of the Dakota people. The Lake Traverse Reservation, home to the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, was established by the Treaty of 1867 and originally encompassed all of Day County’s present-day territory.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The arrival of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad in 1880 was the single most important catalyst for settlement. It triggered a massive influx of homesteaders, primarily from Norway, Germany, and the eastern United States, who rushed to claim land. The county’s economy was built almost exclusively on agriculture, with wheat as the primary cash crop, later diversifying into corn, soybeans, and livestock. Towns like Webster, Bristol, Andover, Roslyn, and Waubay were platted along the railroad lines and served as vital commercial hubs for the surrounding farms.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Great Dakota Boom (c. 1878-1887): This period of high immigration, favorable weather, and railroad expansion saw the complete settlement of Day County and the establishment of its towns and institutions.
    • The Hard Winter of 1880-1881: The first wave of settlers was tested by one of the most severe winters on record, which was marked by immense snowfall and immobilizing blizzards that halted all rail traffic for months.
    • Establishment of Waubay National Wildlife Refuge: Founded in 1935 as a refuge for migratory birds and other wildlife, this federally protected area preserves a significant portion of the county’s original prairie pothole habitat.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Records for Day County are held at the county courthouse in Webster and at state and tribal facilities.

  • County Courthouse: The Day County Courthouse, 711 W 1st Street, Webster, SD 57274, is the primary repository for local records.
    • Register of Deeds: This office holds all land records from the time of settlement, including homestead patents, deeds, and mortgages. It also manages marriage records, school census records, and birth and death records created before statewide registration.
    • Clerk of Courts: This office is the repository for all court documents, including civil and criminal cases, divorce proceedings, and, crucially for genealogists, probate records (wills, estate files) and naturalization records (declarations of intent and final papers).
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in South Dakota began on July 1, 1905. Records from that point forward are held by the South Dakota Department of Health. The Day County Register of Deeds holds some scattered birth and death records from prior to 1905.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage licenses and records from the county’s organization in 1881 to the present are held by the Register of Deeds.
  • Tribal Records: For researchers with Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate ancestry, genealogical information may be found in records held by the tribe or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The Sisseton Agency of the BIA is the relevant federal office for historical records.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Day County Public Library: Located in Webster, it may have local history resources, including newspapers on microfilm.
    • Day County Historical Society: Operates the Museum of Wildlife, Science & Industry in Webster and is a resource for local history.
    • South Dakota State Historical Society & Archives: Located in Pierre, this is the central repository for state government records, newspapers from across the state, and other materials of genealogical value.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Marshall County (north)
    • Roberts County (northeast)
    • Grant County (east)
    • Codington County (southeast)
    • Clark County (south)
    • Spink County (southwest)
    • Brown County (west)

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks