PERKINS COUNTY, SD HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History Books

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Perkins County, South Dakota: A Genealogical Overview

Located on the vast, rolling plains of northwestern South Dakota, Perkins County is a land defined by the last great homesteading boom, the railroad, and a rich ranching heritage. Its history is relatively recent, beginning in the early 20th century when the expansion of the Milwaukee Road opened the prairies to a flood of settlers seeking land. For genealogists, tracing ancestors in Perkins County means delving into the records of these homesteaders, cowboys, and railroad towns, uncovering stories of resilience and adaptation in the final frontier of the American West.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Perkins County was one of several large counties created in western South Dakota in the early 1900s after the land was opened for settlement.

  • 1909: County Formed: Perkins County was created by the South Dakota legislature in 1908 and formally organized on February 9, 1909.
  • Parent Counties: It was formed from the northern part of Butte County and the western part of Harding County. More broadly, it was created from unorganized territory that had previously been part of the Great Sioux Reservation. Research into land status or individuals in the area prior to 1909 involves federal records, including those of the Bureau of Land Management and the Bureau of Indian Affairs, rather than conventional county records.
  • Subsequent Formations: The county’s boundaries have remained stable since its creation in 1909.
  • Name Origin: The county was named for Henry E. Perkins, a state senator from Meade County who was instrumental in the county’s establishment.
  • County Seat History: Following its organization, the towns of Bison and Lemmon vied for the county seat. Bison, located more centrally in the county, was selected in an election in 1909 and has remained the seat of government.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: The land was the traditional territory of the Lakota Sioux, particularly the Hunkpapa and Sihasapa (Blackfoot Lakota) bands. It was part of the Great Sioux Reservation until the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Standing Rock Indian Reservation borders the county to the east.
  • The Homesteading Boom: The defining event in the county’s history was the land rush that occurred between 1907 and 1915. The expansion of the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (“The Milwaukee Road”) across the northern part of the county made settlement possible. Thousands of homesteaders, primarily of Norwegian, German, and Anglo-American stock from the Midwest, poured in to claim land and establish farms and ranches.
  • Key Historical Events:
    • The Railroad: The arrival of the Milwaukee Road in 1907 led directly to the county’s settlement. The city of Lemmon, founded that year, quickly became the largest town and the primary commercial and shipping hub for the region’s agricultural products, mainly wheat and cattle.
    • Ranching Culture: While homesteaders established farms, the vast grasslands were ideal for cattle ranching, which became and remains a cornerstone of the county’s economy and culture.
    • The Dust Bowl: The severe drought and Great Depression of the 1930s devastated the region’s agricultural economy. Many homesteading families were “dusted out” and forced to abandon their claims, leading to a sharp decline in population from which the county never fully recovered.
    • Paleontological Discoveries: The region gained international fame for its rich fossil beds. Nearby, in 1990, the famous Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton “Sue” was discovered, highlighting the area’s importance in the field of paleontology.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

Because the county was formed after statewide vital records registration began, its records are generally complete and well-preserved from its date of organization.

  • County Courthouse: The Perkins County Courthouse, 200 E Main St, Bison, SD 57620, is the central repository for all local records.
    • Register of Deeds: This office holds all land records (including original homestead patents and subsequent deeds) from 1909. It is also the repository for local birth, marriage, and death records.
    • Clerk of Courts: This office maintains all court records, including civil cases, criminal records, and importantly for genealogy, probate files (wills and estates) and naturalization records from 1909 until the process was fully federalized.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth, Death, and Marriage Records: Statewide registration began in South Dakota on July 1, 1905. Therefore, records for Perkins County exist from its 1909 formation. They can be obtained from both the Perkins County Register of Deeds in Bison and the South Dakota Department of Health in Pierre.
  • Libraries and Societies:
    • Perkins County Historical Society / Sod Buster Museum: Located in Bison, this is an excellent resource for pioneer family histories, photographs, and local historical artifacts.
    • Grand River Museum: Located in Lemmon, this museum focuses on the history of the region, including Native American history and paleontology.
    • South Dakota State Historical Society: Located in Pierre, the state archives hold extensive collections, including microfilm of Perkins County newspapers (such as the Lemmon Leader and Bison Courier), which are invaluable for obituaries and social history.
  • Federal Records:
    • Homestead Records: The original homestead application files (case files) for Perkins County settlers are held by the National Archives (NARA). These files often contain rich genealogical details, including naturalization information, affidavits from neighbors, and proof of improvements.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Adams County, North Dakota (north)
    • Corson County, SD (east)
    • Ziebach County, SD (south)
    • Meade County, SD (south)
    • Harding County, SD (west)

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