Experience 57029

freeman’s corner of the world

Freeman is located in Memorial along Sixth Street, opportunities, many churches Freeman has two strong and
southeastern South Heritage Hall Museum and and well-maintained homes vibrant schools: Freeman Pub-
Dakota and nestled in Archives located on the south- and neighborhoods. lic School District (K-12) and
the center of a triangle western corner of the city, and Freeman Academy (1-12). The
formed by Sioux Falls, Yank- Schmeckfest, the annual cel- Freeman has a solid com- community’s commitment to
ton and Mitchell -- the state’s ebration of ethnic foods and mercial business base. Local education is balanced by its
largest population center. Its traditions held every spring. businesses include three appeal as a retirement center.
location is ideal: Freeman is banking facilities, Freeman The comprehensive medical
far enough away from larger This progressive commu- Regional Health Services services and sense of commu-
cities that it is able to main- nity also continues to serve (which includes a hospital, ex- nity appeal both to families
tain its own identity, yet close the agricultural sect. Here, tended care facility, clinic and seeking a good environment
enough that it’s an easy drive traditional methods mix retirement apartments), dental for raising children and senior
for a visit. And with its prox- with new ideas and a host of and vision clinics, a lumber citizens wanting to retire in
imity to Iowa, Minnesota and businesses offer products and company, feed-seed-fertilizer comfort and security.
Nebraska, Freeman also enjoys services that cater to its biggest businesses, two grocery stores,
a strong regional position. industry: farming. two pharmacies, two imple- While the surrounding
ment dealerships, trucking rural communities
While the city of Freeman But Freeman is about more firms, oil distribution com- reflect a decline in popula-
has a population of 1,308 than just agriculture. Its panies (with statewide and tion that is all-too-common
(2010 census), it serves about broad-based economy includes several states distribution) in South Dakota, Freeman’s
8,000 residents in all direc- strong retail, professional and and numerous retail stores, population has remained
tions. Throughout its history, health services and a diverse specialty shops, restaurants remarkably stable. The 2010
this small town has attracted group of manufacturing enter- and motels. Freeman is home census shows Freeman with
men, women and children prises that deal in national and to a number of manufactur- a population of 1,308; that
from across the region, thanks, international trade. Freeman ing companies with regional, is down nine from 2000 but
in large part, to its quality boasts an attractive quality national and international consistent with population
of life and the wide range of of life with a strong sense of markets. Freeman has approx- figures throughout the growth
services. community, active service imately 120 businesses, 50 of decades of the 20th century.
organizations, recreational them are retail.
Established as a railroad 1
stop in 1879, Freeman
quickly became a center
for immigrants -- primarily
Lutheran and Mennonite Ger-
mans from Russia -- who had
arrived in the mid-1870s. The
town was not officially incor-
porated until 1893. By that
time, however, Freeman had
already become a center for
residences, education, com-
merce and services. And that
foretold the town’s destiny.

Today, Freeman enjoys a
strong sense of history and tra-
dition, and places great value
on the customs, culture and
commitment to community
that came from those before.
Look no further than three
of Freeman’s crown jewels:
The Freeman Area Veterans

What’s inside

Quick look at Freeman.............P1
What’s in a name?....................P4
Summer calander.....................P5
Some history...............................P6
About Schmeckfest..................P9
Things to do..............................P11
50 things we love.....................P13
City map.............................P14-15
Church listing...........................P17
City resources..........................P21
Welcome from FA....................P22
Welcome from FHS..................P23
About the arboretum.............P26

About this
publication

A welcome from the mayor This welcome guide was
organized and produced by
On behalf of the citizens of Freeman, I The complex of more than 30,000 square feet Waltner Media of Freeman,
would like to welcome you to the great City of features transportation, tools, farm equipment, South Dakota, with support from
Freeman. We take pride in providing the com- antiques and household items, and reflects the the businesses and organizations
munity with a clean, friendly, safe, and pros- community’s Germans from Russia heritage. It who chose to be part of this
perous place to work, live, play and visit. Free- also includes four buildings, rare motorcycles project. In addition to their
man has first-rate volunteer ambulance and fire and extensive archives. advertisements on the following
departments. Our great city has a wide range pages, they are listed on the
of cultural and recreational services for you to With all that said, what makes Freeman city map in the center of this
experience, like golf, the arboretum, camping, a great place to live or visit is that Freeman publication. We understand we
fishing, the museum, library, horseshoe courts, offers: may have inadvertently omitted
swimming pool, tennis courts, baseball and some activities that should be
softball and two parks and picnic areas. • 22 Agricultural Services included and advertisers that
• 14 Construction Services would have liked to be part
Children and higher education are an im- • 5 Educational Institutions of this publication. For these
portant part of our community. Freeman has • 14 Finance/Insurance Services
two grade schools and two high schools, as well • 11 Food & Lodging businesses omissions, we apologize.
as community activities for our youth. Summer • 15 Healthcare Services If you wish to be included in our
recreation for children includes a swimming • 6 Manufacturing Companies
pool, baseball, softball and soccer. • 4 Printing/Publishing Companies next edition, please email us
• 33 Retail Businesses with your contact information
Freeman’s proud heritage is of Germans from • 48 other professional service businesses at tabitha@thefreemancourier.
Russia descent and is well-known as the city So whether you are looking for a place to com and we will be certain to
that hosts Schmeckfest; next year, 2018, will be grow your family or grow your business, look contact you before the next
the 60th anniversary. The festival draws 4,000 no further, you have found it. Freeman, South printing, scheduled for 2018.
people each year to the campus of Freeman Dakota is the right place for you.
Academy. Also on the Academy campus is A digital version of this welcome
the Heritage Hall Museum and Archives. - SAM SORENSEN, FREEMAN MAYOR guide may be viewed at

2 freemansd.com. No material
from this publication may
be copied or in any way

reproduced without written
permission from the publisher:

Second Century Publishing, Inc.
PO Box 950 • 308 S. Main
Freeman, SD 57029
605-925-7033

The production team of
Tabitha Schoenwald, Jason
Scharberg, Linda Von Eye,
Jeremy Waltner, Tim L. Waltner
and Lois Wollman offers heartfelt
thanks for the support shown

for this project.

3

What’s in a name? Some great stories

Many communities in exists today. This has have occurred.” nites in the area. There is even
South Dakota were named been claimed as truth Since this story has not been speculation as to whether
because of natural landmarks, by the South Dakota Menno was named for Fred
like Sioux Falls. Others were Guide, compiled by the proven as the “real” reason “Reiser” (as stated by Olga
named through American Federal Writers Project Freeman is known as Freeman, Stucky and Lillian Graber in
Indian heritage, like Yankton. in 1938; The South other stories have surfaced Freeman Facts — Freeman
Freeman, on the other hand, Dakota Journal of regarding the city’s name Fiction 1879-1979) or Fred
has a different story behind its County Government, heritage. “Heiser” (as stated by Mendel
name. September 1958; South in History of Freeman from
Dakota Place Names by J.J. Mendel, former pub- 1879 to 1958).
In fact, there are several. Virginia D. H. Sneve; lisher of the Freeman Courier,
No one really knows for and by George Rath in claimed both Menno and Mendel asserted that
certain the true history behind The Black Sea Ger- Freeman were named for the Freeman was named after
the naming of this communi- mans in South Dakota. men from whom the railroad Fred Waldner, who sold land
ty. There is even some specula- bought plots of land. Fred to the railroad company.
tion whether Freeman is really The railroad built Reiser was from Menno and Freeman was supposed to
Freeman, or if it should have its branch line from was a miller in one of the be “Fredman,” but the “d”
been named Menno. The his- Marion to Running Mennonite colonies near was inadvertently changed to
tory behind Freeman’s name Water in 1879, and in the fall Menno. The railroad officials an “e,” and the city became
may never really be known, that same year, the first train decided to name the city “Freeman.”
but does provide for some pulled into Freeman. This “Menno” because of Reiser
interesting stories. transformed Freeman from and the number of Menno-
Nearly every story involves more than just a settlement
the Chicago, Milwaukee, into a town. Freeman was first
St. Paul and Pacific Railway thought of as a city in 1893,
Company, whose station was five years after the railroad
constructed in Freeman in dropped off the “wrong sign.”
1888 and retired in 1974.
Many sources say a railroad The railroad company,
officer mistakenly put up the however, does not agree or
“Freeman” sign here and took disagree with this, and cannot
the “Menno” sign to the next settle the score for those who
town 11 miles down the line, wish to know. In two letters
which happened to be Menno. written to Freeman residents
Freeman was supposed to be in 1977 and 1978, Commu-
called “Menno” because of nications Resources Manager
the large Mennonite popu- Jim Scribbins says he cannot
lation in the area, which still “confirm or deny that what
you speculate may or may not

4

5

The pioneers who helped build Freeman

Daniel Unruh was one of For history buffs, these ex- nearby? low the sun on its daily round
the influential pioneers who cerpts from a history of Freeman The nearest towns were (figuratively speaking).
first arrived in what would compiled in 1954 by the late
become the East Freeman Dr. John D. Unruh, a native Yankton some 30 miles and Beginning in the area to
community in 1874. He built professor, author and former Sioux Falls 40 to 50 miles the east of Freeman or what
a home in the Turkey Ridge mayor of Freeman, provide away. The pioneers began to we generally call East Free-
Valley about eight miles an excellent review of the rich pour into this state in the early man, we have a large group
southeast of Freeman. history of this community. 1870s, while the railroads to of settlers known as the Swiss
this part of the state did not Germans. They are so called
In our agricultural sections come until 1879 and later. because they originally came
a city can never be greater from the Canton Bern in
or more prosperous than Would these pioneers Switzerland. They are German
the farmers surrounding become permanent settlers, because they spoke German
the city. break the virgin sod and es- or some dialect of the German
tablish homes, or would they, language. They were often
Naturally one would ask like many others have done, referred to as Russians, but
what kind of people live stay only long enough to cash like most of the other Ger-
around the city of Freeman? in and move on to greener man-speaking people did not
Where did they come from? pastures? Let us take a closer have any Russian blood in
What was the reason for lo- look at the pioneers surround- them, but were called Russians
cating on these virgin prairies ing the Freeman area. because they lived in Russia
even before there was any around 75 to 100 years before
railroad or any sign of a city With Freeman as a hub or coming to America.
center, let us start with the
rising sun in the east and fol-

6

Their history goes back to South Russia. Much of these who originally came from had been free from military
the days of persecutions be- vast areas she had recently Holland and were now living service. The passing of a gen-
cause of religious beliefs. Per- acquired by conquest from in Danzig and Prussia, migrat- eral subscription law caused
secuted in Switzerland, they Turkey in the Russo-Turkish ed to Russia and settled along thousands to leave Russia and
migrated to France, to Austria, war. the banks of the Dnieper and to migrate to America.
to Russia and finally to Ameri- the Molotschna Rivers. Many
ca. This particular group came To induce these people to others settled in the Crimea in Almost to a man the entire
from the province of Volyhnia settle in Russia, she offered South Russia. congregations of the Swiss
in Russia. They had settled in special privileges to the people Germans decided to emigrate
Russia upon the invitations of from Germany and Swit- The Hutterites who orig- to America.
Czarina Catherine II, as did zerland. Some of these were inally came from Tyrolean
many other German-speaking freedom from military service Alps settled in the province of Some of them settled in
people, including Reformed, for all time, tax exemption for Tschernigov. During the pe- Kansas and some in South
Lutherans and Catholics. 10 years, the right to own and riod of 75 to 100 years, these Dakota, in 1874 and 1875.
Knowing about the thrift hold property, and permission German people prospered in One group of Low Germans
and industry of the German to use their own language in Russia. under the leadership of Daniel
people, she herself of German their churches, schools and Unruh came to East Freeman
blood, invited thousands of local government. But all good things come one year before the Swiss Ger-
German-speaking people to to an end sooner or later and man group came, and settled
settle in her vast domains, Besides the Swiss Germans, so did some of the privileg- in the Turkey Ridge Creek
the steppes of Poland, the many other German-speaking es. Around the year 1870 Valley. This group came from
Ukraine, and the Crimea in people took advantage of the freedom from military service Crimea. The Swiss German
privileges granted by Cath- came to an end in Russia. Up
erine II. The Low Germans, till now all foreign settlers SEE THE NEXT PAGE: PIONEERS

7

This photo shows Freeman’s Main Street looking north in the earliest years of its life — the 1880s.

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

pioneers: DIFFERENT GROUPS CONVERGE IN Freeman

group settled east in Rose- and almost due south of Free- Hutter. They came from the minister.
field township and southeast man we find another group Tryolean Alps and were near Once more we proceed
along Turkey Ridge Creek that came largely from Nor- neighbors of the Swiss people.
in Childstown township and way. Here we find the names on our trip around Freeman
continued almost due south of Carter, Mosby, Gullickson, Originally Jacob Hutter and now almost due north
of Freeman, with one or two Jorstad, Wek, and others. founded the society known and northwest we have our
even southwest of Freeman. These also soon organized as “Brederhoefe” one of last group, the Low German
themselves into a congregation which settled in the Freeman settlers. As we have already
Immediately beyond the of the Lutheran church. community at the junction of mentioned before these people
Swiss German settlers to the the Wolf Creek and the James originally came from Hol-
southeast of Freeman was a Then as we follow the sun River, and was known as the land, but left Holland during
group of Danish settlers. around to the southwest of Wolf Creek Colony. This colo- the 16th century, settled in
Freeman we find a number ny supplied the flour for many Danzig and Prussia. They fol-
These came mostly as indi- of German Lutheran settlers miles around, as they built one lowed the movement to Russia
vidual settlers from Denmark, who came largely from south of the first flour mills in the and then, in 1874 under the
without any organized church Russia and the Crimea. Here Freeman area. leadership of Tobias Unruh,
group. Among the Danish we have such family names as settled in the Silver Lake area.
settlers we find family names Heckenlaible, Keller, Delzer, There were many individ-
of Jorgensen, Christensen, Dubs, Ellwien, Huber, Hein, ual farmers of the Hutterian In addition to the groups
Andersen, Hansen, Olesen Knittel, and others. people who lived outside that came from across the
and others. of the colonies in Russia, sea we had a few individual
Then as we proceed farther but lived independently in settlers who came here by cov-
Proceeding farther west in west and northwest we find villages, these also migrated as ered wagon from the eastern
our trip around Freeman we still another group of settlers entire congregations, and so states.
find some more German set- — the Hutterian group. This we have the Hutterthal, Neu
tlers; these came mostly from group has a similar history to Hutterthal, Hutterdorf and Most of the pioneer settlers
Iowa and were of the Catholic that of the Swiss Germans in Krimmer Mennonite Brethren who came from the eastern
faith. They organized one of East Freeman. congregations. Paul Tschetter states simply followed the ad-
the first Catholic congrega- and Lorenz Tschetter were vice of Horace Greely. When
tions here. Family names here They also came from the delegates for these people in asked about the opportunities
are Dangel, Weier, Goettertz, Alps and were persecuted and 1873. Rev. John L. Wipf was of the future in America, he
Heirigs, Bauer and others. driven from country to coun- one of their first teachers, and advised them “Go west, young
try. Their leader was Jacob man, go west.”
As we proceed farther west

8

A word about Schmeckfest

For many people, Freeman The festival has the Freeman Junior
means Schmeckfest, that festi- evolved over the years. College and Academy
val with a funny name. Today it also includes Women’s Auxiliary as a
free demonstrations, fund-raising project for
Schmeckfest -- a “tasting displays, programs and Freeman Academy, to-
festival” -- was started in 1959 exhibits celebrating the day the entire Freeman
as a one-time, one-day event Germans-from-Russia community is involved.
by the Freeman Junior Col- Mennonite tradi- Regardless of ethnic
lege and Academy Women’s tion of the Freeman or religious heritage,
Auxiliary to celebrate its 10th community. One of the volunteers who
anniversary. It featured the the highlights and make Schmeckfest an
favorite dishes of the Menno- most popular attrac- annual success reflect
nite people who immigrated tions of Schmeckfest the broader Freeman
to the area from Russia in the is the annual musical Every year, as many as 4,000 people visit community.
1870s. That first Schmeckfest production, which is Schmeckfest, which features a meal of foods
proved to be so popular that staged by the Freeman traditional to the Germans from Russia heri- Next year is the 60th
it was repeated the following community. More tage, served family-style. annual Schmeckfest
year, and then the year after and it will be held
that, and it quickly became an than 30 different popular Technicolor Dreamcoat” have March 16, 17, 23 and 24;
annual affair. Today it is held Broadway shows ranging from been presented as Schmeckfest tickets go on sale in Novem-
on Friday and Saturday on “Big River” to “Fiddler on the productions. ber. You can learn more about
two consecutive weekends in Roof ” to “Guys and Dolls” And while Schmeckfest the festival atschmeckfest.com,
late March or early April. to “Joseph and the Amazing originated as a project of or see the ad on page 29.

9

10

And while you’re in Freeman...

Here are several suggestions center. The property, located spend some quiet time, catch playground equipment for
on how you might spend your on land owned by Freeman up on the news — newspa- kids, picnic shelters and space
time while you’re in Freeman. Academy, has been developed pers/magazines and online for campers. The Lions Park
over the past 12 years as a access on the facility’s banks on the west edge of town, just
Explore the museum recreational and educational of computers. The library off Juniper, has horseshoe pits,
resource for the community. is a jewel on Main Street, more playground equipment
The rich heritage of this Much of what you see is the thanks to a strong fundraising and picnic shelters.
community has been preserved result of volunteer labor. project and a desire to expand
in many ways, but none is the library as a community VISIT our retail district
more remarkable than what Educational trip resource.
you’ll find at Heritage Hall You won’t find Wal-Mart
Museum. The building was It’s definitely worth the trip WATCH THE BLACK SOX in Freeman, but you will find
constructed in the 1970s and to see the Freeman Public some interesting retail stores
houses thousands of historic School campus, developed on The Black Sox are our local with selection and variety that
items ranging from automo- 40 acres on the south side of amateur baseball team and are you might well be surprised
biles to clothing to furniture to Freeman in the past four de- fun to watch! Find their home to find in a town of just over
farm equipment. The complex cades. A series of construction games on page 5. 1,300. And our shopping
includes four historic buildings projects over the
and is adjacent to the Prairie years have created Visit our two city parks district isn’t limited to
Arboretum. one of the nicest the downtown area;
public school cam- The Swimming Pool Park there are stores along
Walk the Arboretum puses in the state. on the north end of Wipf Highway 81 and Sixth
In addition to the Street has, as you’ve probably Street as well.
You’re spending time in the school buildings, guessed, a swimming pool. It’s
arboretum, but we urge you it also includes a also got lighted tennis courts, Visit our VETS
to take some time to fully top-notch athletic Memorial
appreciate it. Ten years ago the complex with a
40-acre tract on the southwest first-rate football Built as a volunteer
edge of Freeman was a low- field and all-weath- project in the late 90s,
lying pasture home to cows er track. It’s a trib- the memorial honors
and assorted small wildlife and ute to this commu- this community’s
birds. Today it’s a recreational nity’s longstanding soldiers. The memori-
area with three connected commitment to education. al is located on Sixth
ponds (stocked with fish), Street.
more than 300 trees and a Check out the library
mile-long walking path. There Play some golf
is sculpture, an amphithe- The Freeman Public Library
ater, gazebo, flower gardens, on Main Street was built in Head a mile south to Valley
fountains and an interpretative 2007 and is a great place to View Golf Course, a 9-hole
facility built in 1993 that has
grown into a beautiful spot.

11

THURSDAY, FRIDAY AND SATURDAY Chautauqua was a popular adult edu-
cation movement in the United States
JULY 27, 28 & 29 in the late 19th and early 20th centu-
ries throughout rural America. The
Prairie Arboretum, Freeman, S.D. Chautauqua brought entertainment
featuring and culture for the whole community,
with speakers, teachers, musicians,
Programs, Entertainment & Activities For All Ages entertainers, preachers and special-
ists of the day. That same spirit will be
Find a complete schedule of Chautauqua events online at rekindled for three days in Freeman
this summer. Most activities will be
ExperienceFreemanSD.com held at Prairie Arboretum Thursday,
Friday and Saturday. On Saturday af-
ternoon, the focus will shift to down-
town Freeman with a recreation of an
Relive this historic blend of shopping
and social interaction, which will
include a reenact-
ment of the 1935
robbery of First
National Bank
(restored today as
the home of the
Vintage Vault).

What Are You Going To Do In Freeman?

You Can Find Out Here!

For a current list of what’s happening in Freeman — whether it’s a concert, sporting event,
a celebration or shopping opportunities, you’ll find it online at ExperienceFreemanSD.com.
You’ll also find links to other community resources. Updates and current information is also
shared regularly on the Experience Freeman SD Facebook Page.

A message from the Commerce and Tourism Committees of the Freeman Community Development Corporation.

12

50 reasons why Freeman is special

In 2011, a Tour de Kota bi- mid-level practitioners. lished in 1882 and Freeman’s believe it’s the nicest facility
cycle event made an overnight 3. A healthy, proven, suc- oldest business, expanded and in the region outside of Sioux
stop in Freeman, and for the remodeled on the highway not Falls, Yankton and Rapid City.
hundreds of visitors to Free- cessful and up-to-date public long ago. For most of its life it
man who didn’t know what we school system that produces was under control of the Haar 14. Home of one of the
know about our community, plenty of “Flyer pride.” family and represented five greatest football dynasties in
the Freeman Courier editori- generations. state history; from 1996-1999,
alized on 50 reasons why the 4. A vital community devel- the Freeman Flyers went 51-1
Freeman community is such opment corporation. 8. Housing developments and won four straight champi-
a great place. Here’s an update. that have extended Freeman’s onships.
5. The Emergency Services city limits.
1. The 40-acre Prairie building on the north end of 15. Low crime.
Arboretum, located on the Main Street that houses Free- 9. Two grocery stores. 16. A clean town.
southwest 40 acres of the man’s rescue services, which 10. Two pharmacies. 17. 24-hour recycling
community, that continues to include an active, well-staffed 11. Two farm implement service.
develop. vibrant fire department and dealerships. 18. A well-organized landfill
ambulance service. 12. Three banks, includ- just outside of town.
2. Freeman Regional Health ing Merchants State Bank, a 19. An active summer recre-
Services, a local indepen- 6. Homegrown businesses family operation that began in ation program.
dent health care system that that have grown and devel- 1899. 20. A strong and active
includes a hospital, nursing oped over the years including 13. A track and field com- baseball tradition that includes
home, congregate living AMPI, Rural Manufacturing, plex on the grounds of Free- the Freeman Black Sox, an
facility and a clinic with a Stern Oil and Wildcat Manu- man High School which hosts
medical staff of physicians and facturing. numerous track meets. Many SEE THE PAGE 18: 50 REASONS

7. Fred Haar Compa-
ny/C&B Operations, estab-

13

1 Blue’s Family Restaurant.................................Page 13 NORTH COUNT
2 City of Freeman................................................. Page 3
3 Country Pride ..................................................Page 16 27 EMT/ 22
4 Experience Freeman.........................................Page 12 Fire
5 FA Ribs at the Ranch ....................................... Page 22 Hall 34

Fensel’s Motel & Gift Shop..............................Page 26 WELL STREET
7 Freeman Academy .......................................... Page 22
8 Freeman Chautauqua .....................................Page 12 HENRY STREET PARK WAY STREET
9 Freeman Community Development Corp. ..Back Cover Swimming
10 Freeman Community Foundation...................Page 25 Pool Park/
11 Freeman Community Transit ..........................Page 20 Camping
12 Freeman Country Inn .......................................Page 21
13 Freeman Dental Center....................................Page 19 FIRST STR
14 Freeman Growth Foundation.....................Back Cover
15 Freeman Public Schools.................................. Page 23 PLUM STREET
16 Freeman Regional Health Services...................Page 19
17 Freeman Shopping Center...............................Page 24 RAILWAY STREET 26
18 Great Western Bank ..........................................Page 9
19 Heritage Hall Museum & Archives .................. Page 27 SECOND ST
20 Hootz ..............................................................Page 13
21 Jamboree Foods...............................................Page 21 45 20 THIRD STREET
22 JH Diesel & Ag Repair ........................................Page 9 2Freeman
23 Kleinsasser Heating & Cooling........................Page 24 Lions 1 29
24 Knodel Contractors ..........................................Page 16 Park 21 Public
25 Lawns Unlimited ............................................Page 20 Library
26 Lori’s Pet Grooming .........................................Page 18 25
27 Mannes Floral ..................................................Page 18 40
28 Mennonite Central Committee/Relief Sale........Page 24
29 Merchants State Bank ................... Inside Front Cover 43 18 FOURTH ST
30 Meridian Corner...............................................Page 26
31 Modern Woodmen Insurance ............................ Page 7 Freeman
32 Prairie Arboretum ...........................................Page 26
33 Prairie House Restaurant..................................Page 4 41 Post
34 Priority Real Estate...........................................Page 9 Office
35 Rural Manufacturing........................................Page 21 FIFTH STREET
36 Saarie’s Auto Body............................................Page 6 CEDAR STREET Freema
37 Salem Mennonite Home ................................... Page 7 JUNIPER STREET Veteran
38 Schmeckfest ................................... Inside Back Cover 23 Memori
39 Schoenwald Landscape ....................................Page 4 MAIN STREET
40 State Farm Insurance, Mark Kasten ..................Page 6 POPLAR STREET SIXTH STR
41 Stucky Electric..................................................Page 18
42 Total Stop ........................................................Page 18 CHERRY STREET
43 Vintage Vault ...................................................Page 11 DEWALD STREET
44 Vision Care .......................................................Page 18 WALNUT STREET
45 Waltner Media/Freeman Courier .................... Page 10
37

7 SEVENTH ST

Freeman Academy Campus 16

5 28 38 Freeman
Regional
19 Health
Services
Heritage Hall Campus
Museum & Archives COLLEGE ST

32 KLASI ST.

Prairie Arborertum

8

Freeman
Cemetery

(1 Mile
West)

Education/Gov./Health Care Food/Drink/Lodging SOUTH COUNT

Manufacturing/

Learn more about the businesses listed on this map throughout the pages of this publication, which they have chosen to support th

3 35

13 31 44 (Both about 1/4 Mile North)

TY ROAD CITY OF

36 FREEMAN

Baseball/
Softball
Fields

REET

TREET ALBERT STREET
Freeman- OLIVE DR.
Community
Center

THIRD STREET

TREET

an WIPF STREET HIGHWAY 81
ns RELANTO STREET
ial
REET ALBERT STREET 42
WYNKEN DRIVE 17
TREET

n 24
l EIGHTH STREET
s STADIUM DRIVE 4 9 10 11 14 39
s
These businesses/organizations
TREET do not have an established brick

15 & mortar location in Freeman.
You will find contact information
Freeman Public School Campus
in their ads in this publication.

12
33

TY ROAD Organizations/Events/Activities Services Shopping 30

/Construction (7 MilesSouth)

hrough sponsorships.

16

Churches of the Freeman area

Bethesda Lutheran Hope Lutheran Church Neu Hutterthaler Salem-Zion Mennonite
Mennonite Church
300 E. State St., Marion 208 E. South County Rd., 27844 443rd Ave., Freeman
Rev. Karl Gregory, Pastor Freeman 27165 432nd Ave., Bridgewater Corey Miller, Pastor
605-254-2348 Phone 925-4941 or 925-7599 Ken Dalke, Pastor - 729-2493 [email protected]
925-7771
Bethesda Mennonite First Church of God Our Savior’s Lutheran [email protected]
salemzion.com
44354 273rd St., Marion 702 N. Broadway Ave., Marion 29219 431st. Ave., Menno
Michael Fredrickson, Interim Scott Dent, Pastor - 648-3704 Theresa Jacobson, Pastor Seventh-day Adventist
Pastor Associate Pastor, Nikki Bauerle 387-5241
900 Park Blvd., Hurley
Bethany Mennonite Grace Lutheran Church Peace Christian Reformed Nick Osborn, Pastor
605-660-5969
509 S. Juniper St., Freeman 511 S. Pine Street, Menno 306 N. High St., Menno
Shane VanMeveren, Pastor Theresa Jacobson, Pastor Steve Moerman, Pastor St. Boniface
[email protected] 387-5241 Church: 387-5224 IDYLWILDE Catholic
Phone 925-7402 Parsonage: 387-5684
Hutterthal Mennonite 28703 444th Ave., Freeman
Bethlehem Reformed OPC Salem Reformed Church Rev. Fr. Randy Phillips
27473 437th Avenue, 327-3438
300 S. Relanto St., Freeman Freeman 707 S. 5th St., Menno
Louis Cloete, Pastor Todd Jones, Pastor - 925-7186, Michael Hecht, Pastor St. Paul Lutheran
[email protected] [email protected] 387-5334
Phone 925-7642 Lutheran Church Missouri
www.brcopc.org Immanuel Lutheran Salem Mennonite Brethren Synod
615 E. 7th St., Freeman
Calvary Reformed 503 S. 4th, Menno 43173 272nd St., Bridgewater David W. Ellis, Vacancy Pastor
Matthew Resner, Pastor - Phone Mike Petts, Pastor stpaulfreemanlcmsblogspot.com
210 North St., Monroe 387-5188 Phone 925-7850 [email protected]
Clint Richardson, Pastor SalemMBChurch.com
Church Office: 297-4283 Missionary Church United Methodist Church
Salem Free Lutheran, AFLC
EMB Church 610 S. Albert St., Freeman 190 S. 4th St., Olivet
Stephen Roussos, Pastor 28587 440th Ave., Freeman 387-5510 - Chuck Asche, Pastor
27196 442nd. Ave., Marion [email protected] - 925-7846 605-929-9229
Randy Maass, Pastor freemanmissionarychurch.org salemfree.org Zion Mennonite
648-3850
embcountrychurch.com Salem Mennonite Church 950 N. Main, Bridgewater
Dr. Joseph Pallikkathayil, Pastor
Emmanuel Presbyterian 28103 443rd Ave., Freeman 729-2301
Nicholas Detweiler-Stoddard,
39 1st Ave., Marion Pastor; Robert Engbrecht, Pastor Zion Reformed
David Lick, Pastor southchurchsd.org
Phone 648-3876 925-4553 220 S. Pine Street, Menno
[email protected] nick.southchurch@goldenwest. Rev. Travis Grassmid, Pastor
[email protected] Church: 387-5536
Fellowship Harvest Parsonage: 387-2816

702 S. Highway 81, Freeman
Joe Mason, Pastor
Phone 605-661-0937

17

50 REASONS: A CONTINUATION

amateur team that lights up volunteers.
spring and summer nights. 26. Heritage Hall Museum

21. A spectrum of eldercare and Archives.
ranging from independent 27. Plenty of tree-lined
living to skilled-care.
streets.
22. A strong, diverse retail 28. Ethnic pride.
district that includes unique 29. History; Freeman cele-
stores like Fensel’s, 81 Metal
Art, the Et Cetera Shoppe and brated 125 years in 2004.
The Vintage Vault. 30. A nine-hole golf course

23. Multiple eating op- a mile south of town.
tions, from downtown to the 31. Location; situated on
highway.
Highway 81, Freeman is less
24. A strong ag business than an hour from Sioux Falls,
community that serves the Yankton and Mitchell.
diversified agricultural com-
munity that continues to be 32. A strong agricultural
our economic base. Freeman heritage, which includes hard
community farmers grow pri- work and optimism as strong
marily corn and soybeans, and as you’ll find anywhere.
we have balance of dairy, hogs
and livestock producers. 33. Entrepreneurial spirit.
34. Strong church life.
25. Volunteers, volunteers, 35. Growing Dreams, offer-
ing a day care and pre-school
environment usually reserved

18

FROM PAGE 13

for larger cities. unique classroom experience pharmacy and optometrist The Freeman Area Veteran’s
36. Two city parks. that blends academics with a services second to none. Memorial is on Sixth Street.
37. Continued commitment strong tradition of faith and
the arts. 47. Active service organiza- trip to Freeman in the near
to education reflected in the tions like the Lions Club. future. Because one stop is not
construction of Sterling Hall 43. A Veterans Memori- enough.
in 2008 and a new elementary al, built in 1999. It’s a nice 48. Schmeckfest, a remark-
school on the Freeman Public addition to Sixth Street and a able festival celebrating our
School campus in 2009. tribute to the men and women German heritage held every
of this community who served spring.
38. A powerful musical in the military.
tradition. 49. A progressive attitude
44. A new Sixth Street, from city leaders that sees
39. A strong appreciation rebuilt in 2009 to improve infrastructure as investment
for the arts. safety, aesthetics and drainage for the future.
on the primary artery that
40. People who have spent links Highway 81 and the 50. A new public library
time in other countries, many downtown business district. built on Main Street complet-
through church-related efforts, ed in 2007 with widespread
gaining a global view. 45. The value placed on support from residents.
extended family - an increas-
41. Commitment to ingly rare trait in an increas- There are, of course, other
education; a large number of ingly mobile and independent reasons we love Freeman. You
community residents have society. may well discover some of
post-high school education. them on your own.
46. Comprehensive health
42. Freeman Academy, care including medical, dental, We hope you do.
now in its second centu- And we believe strongly that
ry, continuing to provide a you will want to make a return

19

20

21

A WELCOME FROM FREEMAN ACADEMY

Freeman Academy faculty, staff and emphasis in both the faith and the fine
students offer a warm welcome to arts, our campus hosts both school and
visitors and newcomers to our great community events; we are home to
community. While in town, we encour- Schmeckfest, Ribs and MORE at the
age you to stop by our beautiful campus Ranch and numerous concerts, plays
and have a look around. We are located and musicals that are all open to the
at the south end of Main Street beside public.
Heritage Hall Museum and the Prairie
Arboretum, two of this town’s crown We are extremely proud of our her-
jewels. itage, grateful to be part of the larger
Freeman community and thankful for
Freeman Academy was founded in the opportunity to nurture thousands
1900 by local Mennonite churches and of students over the years and decades.
currently serves students in grades 1-12. We take that charge seriously and look
While Freeman Academy is based on forward to continuing our mission well
Anabaptist principles, we have students into the future.
enrolled from several different denom-
inations and communities, as well as To learn more about Freeman Acad-
international students who live in our emy, please visit out website at freema-
up-to-date dorm facilities during the nacademy.org. But for now, welcome to
school year. Freeman!

In addition to serving our students vernetta waltner,
through a curriculum that includes an FA development director

22

A WELCOME FROM FREEMAN PUBLIC

The Freeman Public School In order to best serve our
District would like to welcome stakeholders, Freeman Public
you to our wonderful com- sincerely believes in devel-
munity. We have been serving oping a partnership among
the residents of the greater students, staff, families, busi-
Freeman area since 1880 and nesses and citizens within the
are extremely proud of our Freeman community. In the
community, our history and years to come, we truly hope
our traditions. to build upon our current rela-
tionships, while also working
At Freeman Public, we work to develop many more.
tirelessly to provide a safe,
positive and exciting learning For those of you who may
environment to ensure that be new to Freeman, have been
students strive for excellence proud community members
and are properly prepared for years, or are simply visit-
for life after their schooling. ing, please do not hesitate to
We employ an extremely stop by and see our wonderful
hard-working faculty and facilities and find out more
staff whose primary focus is about everything the Freeman
to meet the needs of all our Public Schools have to offer.
students, providing them with
the necessary tools to be life- Go Flyers!
long learners. Kevin Kunz, SUPERINTENDENT

23

For nearly a century, Mennonite churches in the SD MCC Relief Sale
Freeman community have supported the work of Located on Freeman Academy campus
Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) This global, PIONEER HALL, FREEMAN
nonprofit organization strives to share God’s love and Saturday, July 22, 2017
compassion through relief, development and peace. An event of fun and fellowship
Founded in Chicago in 1920 to provide food for while raising funds for relief,
Mennonites starving in Ukraine, MCC soon realized development and peace work
that it could help, not only their Mennonite brothers around the world through
and sisters, but anyone Mennonite Central Committee.
in need around the Activities start at 8 a.m.
world. Today the non- LIVE/SILENT AUCTIONS
profit organization has ETHNIC FOODS • BIKE RACE
headquarters in Akron, KIDS ACTIVITIES • PROGRAMS
Penn., and Winnipeg, Manitoba with volunteers
serving in more than 50 countries. Updates at Facebook and at sdmccreliefsale.weebly.com
For decades, the Freeman community has
supported MCC through financial contributions,
as volunteers and through fund-raising projects
including an annual summer sale (July 22, 2017)
and a fall project in which local volunteers can

meat for
worldwide
distribution.

This photo is
from the 2016
MCC project held
in Freeman, in
which volunteers
canned 14,000
lbs. of turkey for
global relief.

To Learn More Go To MCC.org

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25

Prairie Arboretum

This is a consolidated and and around an amphitheater,
updated version of a three-part an interpretive center and
series by Freeman Courier news island marked by a gazebo,
editor Jeremy Waltner that ran the Prairie Arboretum is a
in the Courier in April 2009. glimmering example of what
can happen when one man’s
Larry Horner, who came to idea becomes another man’s
Freeman Academy to become passion.
the school’s president in
1995, is credited with helping One of Horner’s friends and
initiate the effort to create the early supporters of the idea
Prairie Arboretum. was Lyle Preheim, a farmer
east of Freeman who had a
It’s hard to fathom how 40 love and knowledge of the
acres of pastureland south of prairie in general and trees in
Freeman Academy could so particular.
quickly become something so
distinctively striking and part “The land told us what
of community life. to do,” says Preheim. “The
design was predetermined for
From its three sprawling us.”
ponds loaded with fish to a
mile-long walking path that Truth is, the 40 acres of
passes through gardens, native pastureland on the southern
trees and grasses, over bridges portion of the FA campus
were perfectly suited for a

26

REFLECTS STRONG COMMITMENT TO LAND

major excavation and the con- land and listening to the land, Plans for the Freeman Prairie people come to us and say, ‘I
struction of ponds because of it told us what to put where,” Arboretum were announced want to help out.’”
the low-lying terrain that ran says Preheim, whose vision was to the public in the June 24,
through its center. far more extensive than plant- 1998 edition of the Freeman Unequivocally and indis-
ing a few hundred trees. Courier. putably, the key to getting the
Preheim’s design took into Freeman Prairie Arboretum off
consideration weather pat- It was a bold design that Design and engineering to a good start was the exca-
terns; a rose garden, for exam- included sprawling ponds that work continued through vation process engineered by
ple, would be built on a north flowed into each other, where January of 2000, even as the James Unruh of rural Freeman
slope behind the seating area people could fish, an amphi- land was being dewatered to and facilitated by Doyle Beck-
at the amphitheater “to protect theater with water separating prepare for the excavation of er Construction of Marion.
it from the dry and desiccating the seating from the stage, an thousands and thousands of
winds of summer.” interpretive center to serve as cubic yards of dirt - a process The area that was cut for the
an education resource, and that began in May of 1999 and ponds was dug at a depth of
Sugar maples respond well much more. lasted three years. 15 feet to allow for fishing; all
to cold weather, Preheim said, of the dirt that was removed
so they would be planted in James Unruh, a community “You can have a dream, was placed on a large pile east
the less sheltered northeast native and an engineer, began but dreaming doesn’t mean a of the Heritage Hall Museum
portion of the 40 acres. working with Preheim on the thing unless it’s shared,” says complex and also in the south-
concept and design, which Lyle Preheim, the mastermind west corner of the arboretum.
Conifers don’t like “wet included critical and tedious behind the design of the arbo- Some was used to build a soc-
feet,” so they would be located calculations regarding exca- retum and a major player in cer field on the west end of the
on the highest part of the vation, elevations and water the development of the land.
arboretum. removal. “We were so fortunate to have SEE THE NEXT PAGE: ARBORETUM

“By paying attention to the

27

CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE

ARBORETUM: PERHAPS THE AREA’S GREATEST PARK

land. The rest remains where rocks were brought in to community -- over the years. was completed in the spring
it was laid. protect the pond shorelines It was donated to the project of 2006.
from the natural process of by Dawn Stahl and dedicated
“Once the arboretum was erosion. to her parents, Dr. and Mrs. There’s little doubt that
excavated, everything else Ernest J. Hofer. this community’s best-known
was comparatively easier,” By late 2001 all the rock- 40 acres -- the plot of land
says Preheim. “Once you ing had been done and, for While the dedication that sat undeveloped and as a
conquer something that is the first time ever, the 40 of the Prairie Arboretum home to cattle prior to 1999
very difficult, everything else acres of land on the south- marked its official opening, -- has significantly improved
becomes much easier. It’s a ern portion of the Freeman the project was far from Freeman’s quality of life and
good lesson in life.” Academy campus included complete. resources offered here.
well-groomed ponds that
The first tree, an oak would give the arboretum its In fact, some of the most From organized events
donated by Phyllis Bixel, was shape for years to come. visible and well-received like the Freeman Fishing
planted in May of 1999. By aspects were yet to come. Derby and concerts at the
November of that year more The Prairie Arboretum was Prairie Rose Amphitheater to
than 60 rare and valuable dedicated on a sunny and One of those was the con- random forms of recreation
young trees had been planted comfortable Sunday after- struction of the Prairie Rose like evening strolls through
- all of which were donated. noon, Sept. 22, 2002. Amphitheater in 2003 and the mile-long walking path
2004, made possible thanks that weaves around water,
In the years that followed, By then the land had taken to a gift from Freeman trees and various forms of
dozens of additional trees on the feel of a landscaped residents LaNae and LaVerne landscaping, the arboretum
were planted. By the fall and manicured area, com- Waltner in memory of their is perhaps the area’s greatest
of 2000, as the largest of plete with a gravel walking son, LaMarr. park.
three ponds (180 feet x 500 path a mile long that weaved
feet) was being constructed, through the trees and grasses, Following the sudden pass- On any given night, when
more than 200 native trees over bridges and along the ing of LaMarr, who died of the flowers are in bloom and
had been relocated onto the three ponds that formed one a brain aneurysm in January the smell of fresh-cut grass
grounds of the arboretum, sprawling body of water. of 2002 at the age of 48, lingers in the air, you’ll find
and by the spring of 2001 the Waltners chose to direct people enjoying the arbore-
all primary collections had Remarkably, the walking $45,000 in LaMarr’s memory tum.
been planted. Today, between path was constructed in less to the amphitheater project,
500 and 600 trees and shrubs than a month’s time almost which includes seating for Countless others will enjoy
making up 150 species and single-handedly by one per- 400 and a permanent stage Freeman’s finest 40 acres in
cultivars help shape the son: Larry Tschetter. and soundshell across the their own ways, and still oth-
Prairie Arboretum; there are water. ers will volunteer their time
plans for additional trees to At a dedication ceremony, to keep it beautiful, whether
be planted as needed. about 150 people gathered There have been other ad- it’s by planting and watering
on the shore on the west ditions big and small over the flowers, mowing the lawn or
“It’s been an ongoing side of the island, with the years, from a sculpture work pruning the trees.
process,” Preheim says of the backdrop of a newly-built created by community native
tree work, “and it continues gazebo nearby. That gazebo Norman Epp that stands All of it adds up to form
today.” has become a symbol of the north of the amphitheater, one of Freeman’s greatest sto-
Freeman Prairie Arboretum to the construction of the ries and, perhaps, its greatest
More than 400 tons of -- and to some extent the interpretive center, which untapped resource.

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