Oakwood 1877-1894

The surveyor the bronze names in passing went furthest. Richard F. Pettigrew, born in Vermont in 1848, came to Dakota Territory in 1869 to work for a deputy U.S. surveyor and settled in Sioux Falls. He was the territory's delegate in Congress from 1881 to 1883 and South Dakota's first senator from November 2, 1889 to 1901, leaving the Republicans for the Silver Republicans in 1896. Indicted under the Espionage Act in 1917 and never tried, he died in Sioux Falls in 1926 and left his house to the city as a museum.

What the plaque says

Oakwood 1877-1894 Oakwood, called Tetonkaha, Lakes, when visited in 1838 by Nicollett & Fremont, was site of a small Fort, N of Little Round Lake in 1857 and again occupied in 1863-64. The township was surveyed by Richard F. Petti- grew in September 1871 and James Stoughton and "Old Spot," Samuel Mortimer, took claims shortly and lived in area until 1875. In meanwhile Byron and W. W. Pay arrived in 1873. James S. Cummings, later postmaster May 4, 1877, came in 1875 and William P., William C. Miller, J. S. Beardsley and R. P. Devan in 1876. Arthur S. Mitchell arrived May 1, 1877. Preceded in Brookings County only by Medary, 1857, and re-settled in 1871, Oakwood was the second community and, connected by stage with Medary, Flandreau and the South, it was a thriving community. Platted by John C. Ogden for Joshua Downing in April 1879 it was a stage stop for Goodwin and Gary until in the fall of 1879 the Dakota Central reached Volga 7 miles S and there was an exodus for the railhead. The Post Office was discontinued in 1894, mail going to Bruce. Erected 1960 by kin of Arthur S. Mitchell and State Historical Society

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Oakwood Lakes State Park — 1.7 mi
• Oakwood Lakes Burial Mounds — 2.2 mi
• Significant Site — 2.3 mi
• 'Ol Spot Mortimer's Cabin — 2.5 mi