America's 250th

EXPLORING OUR PAST

A week-by-week look back at events in Freeman’s history. Our primary source is Freeman in Print, a 13-part collection of reprints of Freeman Courier articles.

The weekly newspaper started the monthly project in April 2001 to mark the 100-year anniversary of the Courier. Each of the first ten months was devoted to a single decade (1901-10 through 1991-2000). The remaining three months were devoted to photos and feature stories that document the history of the community.

Freeman in Print

Copies of the complete project remain available for sale at both the Freeman Courier office and Heritage Hall Museum & Archives.

May 24-30 - Freeman Veterans Memorial rises

Excerpts from the May 26, 1999 Freeman Courier:

A portion of Freeman’s busiest street will be closed off … next week as Freeman dedicates the new structure honoring its veterans.

The Freeman Area Veterans Memorial will be dedicated Monday, May 30, as part of the city’s annual Memorial Day Service (with) Gov Bill Janlow as speaker.

The dedication comes nearly two years after the first steps were taken to construct a memorial honoring those who served their country.

In the summer of 1997, the Freeman Area Veterans Memorial was formed with Maurice Kaufman, chair; Cal Kleinsasser, treasurer; Duke Kleinsasser, secretary.

As an act of faith in the project, Coppy Heckenlaible donated $500 … promptly matched by Kaufman. By the fall of 1997, $15,000 had been donated.

The committee decided the abandoned cemetery on the corner of Sixth and Wipf Street would be the ideal spot for the memorial. Approval was granted by the Freeman Cemetery Association and the City of Freeman and construction began in April 1998.

(Following a) September 1998 a groundbreaking ceremony, work progressed quickly. By the end of the year, more than $30,000 had been raised.

The memorial is built on a mint green-tinted semicircle cement pad measuring 42 feet in diameter. Six named tablets made of granite list the 841 names of veterans. There is additional space for additional names to be added.

Six, 20-foot flag poles, which honor each branch of the military, and a 30-foot flag pole honoring the American flag encompass the memorial.

In the center of the memorial are two brick pedestals … one pays tribute to the pioneers of Freeman, who are still buried in the old cemetery. The other pedestal honors the Freeman Veterans of Foreign Wars Wilde Post #3728 and Auxiliary, and the Freeman American Legion Weber Post #284.

While construction of the memorial went relatively smoothly, the project has seen tragedy…Maurice Kaufman, who played an instrumental part in getting the project off the ground, died following a severe heart attack in August. The committee also mourns the loss of Harold Knittle, Cal Kleinsasser and Merlin Huber, all of whom played an active part in the memorial project.

May 17-23 - Voters OK new jr.-sr. high school

Excerpts from the May 24, 1973 Freeman Courier.

On May 22, 1973, voters in the Freeman Public School District approved issuing $600,000 in bonds to build a new jr.-sr. high school on a new campus on the southern side of Freeman.

The Freeman Courier reported the results: 808 for, 308 against, a 72.4% margin. Bond issues require a 60% majority.

But what’s remarkable about the vote is that it came after nearly four years and six failed elections.

With overcrowding and increased enrollment at the 1925 school building at Third and Wipf, the Freeman School Board started pushing for a new building in mid-60s. That led to a proposal for a new jr.-sr. high school on 43 acres purchased in 1969. The results of a $1.4 million bond election on Oct. 21, 1969, was an overwhelming defeat – only 23% voted yes; 297 for and 1,003 against.

The next five bond elections in the next three years all failed to gain public support, although the rejections were not as dramatic as the first. While some gained a majority vote, none reached the required 60%.

In the May 3, 1973, Courier, the board again made the case for a new school building.

“Construction of a new school would eliminate the need for renting seven classrooms from Bethany Mennonite Church, Darald Walter, Dr. Jose Villa and Pine Hill Printery (and) the mobile classroom units and the frame schoolhouse.”

The proposed floor plan for “adequate classroom and lunchroom facilities for a junior senior high school” was 38,725 square feet; approximately $21 per square foot.

The board noted the preliminary budget for 1974 would not increase taxes for next year because “approximately three mills is being collected this year for future building purposes; it will take 2.5 mills per year for 20 years to pay for the $600,000 bond issue; the amount now being set aside for future building can be used instead to pay for the bond issue.

The new jr.-sr. high school opened for the 1976-77 school year; it remains in use today. It did not, however, include a gym, which had been included in the original 1969 plan. A $495,000 bond election for a new gym in 1976 was voted down 551-452. It wouldn’t be until 1992 that a new gym was built. It cost $1.3 million.

May 10-16, 1993 -Ground broken for Connection Project

Excerpts from May 12, 1993 Freeman Courier:

Shortly after Dennis Ries arrived to begin his practice at Rural Medical Clinics nine years ago, he thought to himself, “It sure would be nice to have a covered walkway between the clinic and the hospital.”

The two healthcare facilities are located across the street from each other. That means staff – and occasionally patients – going from one building to the other have to endure the wind, rain and snow.

Ries reflected on that Monday morning at a ceremony that commenced the start of a project that will, incidentally, provide the protection from the elements he wished for.

On May 10, ground was broken for the Freeman Community Hospital and Nursing Home Connection Project, which will physically link the clinic and the hospital in a major expansion of the medical facility.

“We will have some walkway,” Ries said with a smile. “I can hardly wait.”

“It is the final step in a three-phase of a $2.4 million expansion project that will dramatically change the design and appearance of the hospital complex. This is the third and major phase of. Other elements include the expansion of the clinic building.

Dennis Wollman, board president said, “This is a time of renewed commitment.”

Wollman told the group the board felt it it had to choose between two policies… One to continually upgrade the service offered. The other is to hang on as long as you can.

“This is your investment in the health care of the future,” he said.

Addendum: In addition to physically linking the clinic and hospital on space that had been the west end of Eighth Street. It included a new hospital nurse’s station, new lab and X-Ray areas, two birthing suites, ICU, surgical suites, a three-bay emergency room and entrance on Eight Street, a prayer room and a new main entrance facing east with parking extending east to Wipf Street.

The Connection Project was completed in summer of 1994. The Sept. 28, 1994 Courier reported an estimated 2,500 people attended the open house at the new expanded facility on Sept. 25. The name, Freeman Community Hospital and Nursing Home, was changed to Freeman Regional Health Services in 2004.

May 3-9, 1953 - Paving Freeman's Main Street

Excerpts from the May 7, 1953 Courier.

Freeman will have an election on May 19 to decide the street question. The plan is to pave from the Freeman Co-op gas corner (Fifth and Main) to the alley north of Freeman Lumber. The estimate is that it will cost $58,000. The city will pay for the intersections and one-fourth of the cost of the street. This the engineer estimates, will come to around $28,000. The rest of the cost will be carried by the property owners along Main Street. The city council (will) use $10,000 from profits of the municipal liquor store to pay for part its share. The election will call for a (bond) issue of $18,000. It seems to use this is a wise move on the part of the city council.

The following week, the Freeman Commercial Club wrote in support of the project.

“The Main Street of Freeman never was in worse shape than it is today. We have received so much bad publicity because of our bad street it is time we do something about it … How much will it cost you Mr. Voter? Basing the estimate on the total assessed valuation for 1953 at about $1 million … $2.10 per year or 17 and one half cent per month.”

The May 21 Courier reported “On Tuesday’s election, 441 votes were cast – 396 for street improvement and 45 opposed.”

The Sept. 17 issue reported “We have about four blocks of pavement completed. People of Freeman have reason to be proud of our town. Our population is less than 1,000 and strangers looking down Main Street so often estimate a 1,500 population.”

A display ad in the Sept. 24 Courier announced the Freeman Pavement Celebration on Sept. 30 at 6:30 p.m. The ad noted the event was “Free to all (with) feed for all. A mammoth full evening of fine entertainment (with) bands, music, games, races, speeches, contests, free candy, pop, ice cream, coffee and hot dogs. Special added attraction – Elk’s Club of Sioux Falls Motorcycle Daredevils.”

It was promoted as “Freeman’s biggest celebration in 73 years.”

Addendum: In the following years, nearly all of Freeman’s streets were paved. In 2022, the city rebuilt Main Street from Fifth Street to North County Road and several adjoining streets; it cost more than $5 million.

April 26-May 2, 1917 - America enters the ‘Great War'

On April 6, 1917, the United States entered “the Great War” (later known as World War I). In the following weeks and months, publisher J.J. Mendel offered both news and his own insights in the Freeman Courier. Excerpts from the April 26 issue:

Government officials have voiced a strong plea to the farmers of the country to cultivate to the limit (so) we may not be hampered by a shortage of food supplies … We may not all serve in the ranks, but we can demonstrate our loyalty in our devotion to our country by heeding the plea of the president (for) an increase in the production of food supplies. Let us not have an acre that is not under cultivation or in pasturage. Let us not have even a backyard or vacant lot that is not producing something. Patriotism lies here just as strongly as it does in the battle line.

In the May 3 issue, he wrote, “Men of military age who have been married since the start of war against Germany was declared will not escape their obligation of military justice under the ward department policy just announced.”

The next week, he reported “South Dakota’s apportionment will be 3,450 … in the ratio of one in 14 … of men between 21 and 27 years of age. Chance will be the deciding factor in their choice for service. All men between the age specified shall be registered (with) their township boards. In the same fashion as juries are drawn, the individual names will be carried out.

“Exemption boards in each congressional district will be put into operation to pass exemptions … including dependent families, continuance of unemployment and industries vital to government and to the country, etc.”

In the May 31 issue, he wrote, “Remember the man between the ages of 21 and 30 inclusive who failed to register is liable to a penitentiary sentence of one year.”

Aug. 16, he reported that “in Hutchinson County, out of 232 young men examined for the selective draft, 174 passed the physical examination.”

From the Sept. 27 issue: “Saturday was a day of solemnity in Freeman … the occasion that six young men from this town (and) three from the immediate neighborhood, bade us goodbye and left for the uncertainties of a soldier’s life.”

April 19-25, 1914 - Freeman gets ‘juice’

Excerpts from the April 23, 1914 Courier.

Freeman will have electric lights before fall if people of this town care to have them. Juice will be there 24 hours a day and you will have the privilege of using it anytime you want it. If the people express their desire to have lights, construction work on the system will commence sooner than many anticipate.

Addendum: "Juice" was used as early as the 1600s to mean energy, spirit, or power.

In July, publisher J.J. Mendel reported “the Freeman Electric Company has three men employed wiring, houses and business places. in October, he reported “in about a week the wheels at the electric powerhouse will begin to move and the streets of Freeman will be illuminated in the house and stores.”

Here’s the rest of the story.

Mendel was one of the owners of the light plant.

Freeman Facts, Freeman Fiction explains that in 1914. Math Hafner, R. Dewald, A. W. Gross and Mendel built an electric light plant in Freeman. By 1917, Hafner, Dewald and Gross had sold out to Mendel, who operated it until 1927 when he sold it to Northwestern Public Service Company.

Mendel shared his story in the Aug. 25, 1927 Courier. Here are excerpts.

“It was in 1911 and 12 that Freeman held mass meetings to discuss the installation of a municipal plant. All were anxious to have electric lights. The game was new and the town, after thorough deliberation, concluded (a municipal power plant) was too risky. In 1913, the Freeman Light Plant was organized. In early 1914, construction began and a franchise was granted for 20 years.”

The following week he explained that privately owned, small independent and municipal plants had “practically all sold out to big highline companies.”

In November, Mendel reported, “officials were in the city and a deal was consummated (and) Northwestern becomes the owner of the electric light property in this city … Their transmission lines run into Menno which made it easy for them to buy the electric light business here. In about six weeks, the line will be completed and the town changed to A.C. current.”

Northwestern Energy continues to supply electricity to Freeman nearly 100 years later.

April 12-18, 1969 - Plans for nursing home announced

From the Freeman Courier, April 17, 1969.

The Freeman Community Hospital Board of Trustees met April 10, 1969 (and) unanimously agreed to direct the architect to complete the drawings for the new extended care facility and rehabilitation center.

The weeks later, the Courier reported “specifications for the Freeman Extended Care Facility and Rehabilitation Center (as it was called at the time) have been released and bids will be opened on May 21. This means the project is now well underway.”

Addendum: But, as Jeremy Waltner noted in a 2024 story about the hospital, the project nearly fell through.

“Bad news came in July of 1970 when bids came in approximately $150,000 higher than expected and brought the total cost to $680,000 — just under $5 million in today’s money.

“And a Freeman Courier editorial asked: “Has the bubble burst?”

“Here’s what publisher Glenn Gering wrote: ‘This week the Freeman community is facing a dream which may vanish into thin air ... The question is, can our community raise the additional funds needed? If we in our community were able to raise another $150,000 in funds, we could soon witness the realization of a $680,000 facility right here in our own community.

“In the weeks that followed, Gering was aggressive in his editorial support. ‘I can think of no other situation in our community during my experience with public projects where a dollar invested in a community project could yield more returns than in this situation,” he wrote on July 30, 1970.”

One month later, after that successful last-ditch effort to raise the necessary funds, the Freeman Community Hospital Board of Directors announced that it would proceed with the project.

In January of 1972, the Freeman Community Hospital became the Freeman Community Hospital and Nursing Home. It included a physical therapy department, relocated laundry and new kitchen facilities, and a new entrance facing the south.

Seven years later, in May of 1979, the Courier reported an open house was held on May 6 for a 29-bed nursing home addition, “evidence of a growing need for healthcare services … with a combined a hospital and nursing home capacity now totals 89 beds.”

April 5-11, 1936 - Concerns about rail service

Excerpts from Courier Editor and Publisher J.J. Mendel in the April 9, 1936 issue.

Well, the old Milwaukee train is still coming up from Scotland every day, blowing the whistle as usual before entering our city and backing down to Scotland the next day. For a time, the train was running to Marion from here, then to Mitchell, Scotland and back again. If we shipped something from Freeman to Menno, a rail distance of 11 miles, the article had to travel close to 150 miles.

There was a time when we had two passenger (trains) a day and two freights a day. We had good service. All these (changes) were made after the auto and the truck had appeared on the highways.

It still seems to be a question with some people in Freeman, whether it is really within our range of probability to lose our train service. We need the Milwaukee train much worse than they need us. We help ourselves by giving them our business.

Two weeks later, the Courier reported, “Our delegation went to Pierre and returned with news that is not very encouraging: we will be placed on the test floor. Only 100% patronage will save our train service. Trains and trucks will run only as long as they are patronized.”

In September, the Courier reported “Good news reached town that the track between here and Marion will not be abandoned, but between Scotland and Tyndall, the track was recommended to be removed.”

In December, the Courier reported “Business at the depot was picking up nicely since the change was made and the trains come in from Marion. This gives us good service with Soo Falls, Soo City, Twin Cities and Chicago. The biggest dummy could not have invented a more foolish schedule than being served from Scotland. The present train starts in Mitchell, comes in from Marion and serves Freeman and Menno and goes on to Canton. “

Addendum: Incidentally, Mendel routinely used “Soo” rather than Sioux.

Rail service to Freeman, which began in 1879 continued until 1978. Ironically, the tracks that established Freeman as a railroad stop were removed in 1979, the centennial year.

March 29-April 4, 2008 - Voters OK new elementary school

Excerpts from the April 4, 2008 Freeman Courier.

More than 30 years ago, it took the Freeman school district three-and-a-half years and seven elections to pass a bond issue to build a new school.

This time. It took just one.

Voters not only approved last week’s school bond election to help fund a new elementary school, but did so overwhelmingly. The $3.98 million request gained 72% approval from the 836 casting ballots.

“I’m stunned,” Freeman superintendent Dan Hotchkiss said after the vote were tallied (the day of the vote) March 25. “I think a lot of people around here are surprised with the size of the majority. It’s a vote of confidence for our public school system.”

Voter approval means the district can proceed immediately with plans to build the 49,000 square-foot elementary school as an addition to the south of the jr.-sr. high school. The new sprawling brick elementary school is expected to cost $6.2 million; $2.5 million of that will be paid using capital outlay certificates. Construction will begin this summer and be completed in time for the 2910 school year.

That means after this school year it’ll be the final nine months in the current elementary school that opened on Wipf Street in 1925. It’s a building that school officials say has served the district well but has had its share of problems in recent years and is rife with fire code violations

The new school will include two classrooms per grade each, nearly twice the size of current classrooms. That will allow each class to have two sections, which school official says is a must because projections show classes in the upper 20s and lower 30s.

The new Freeman Elementary School will also include a library, commons area, gymnasium and computer labs. The elementary gym and locker rooms will be connected to the east side of the FHS gym.

Addendum: The new elementary school opened on the current public school campus for the 2009-10 school year as forecast. The 1925 classroom building was razed in September 2009 and the lot, adjacent to the Freeman Community Center, remains vacant.

March 22-28, 1992 - Plans for golf course advance

Excerpts from the March 25, 1992 Freeman Courier.

Plans are moving forward on construction of a nine-hole golf course. A well to be used for irrigation … has been drilled on the golf course land one mile south of Freeman. Golf course association officers said the association has sold more than 50% of the initial offerings of $50,000 in capitalization stock. The golf course plan was drawn up by Marty Johnson, a golf course designer from South Sioux City, Neb. Construction of the greens and fairways (will begin) in May.

Addendum: An earlier announcement in the Courier noted the Freeman Area Golf Course Association Board of Directors are Dean Dreessen, LaVerne Waltner, Roger Aman, Bob Pidde and Neil Zachariassen. The golf course opened officially on August 18, 1993. Merchants State Bank took ownership in 2005 and Back Nine LLC assumed ownership in 2011. It became a municipal course in 2019.

In February 2018, the Courier reported that Doug McCune, a partner with his father-in-law Steve Friesen in Back Nine LLC, a business partnership formed by the Friesen family in 2011, told city officials that keeping the course open has been a challenge and converting it to a municipal course would broaden the scope and scale of support.

Here are excerpts from the Nov. 22, 2018 Courier.

Nine months after being approached by Back Nine LLC to consider turning Valley View Golf Course into a municipal operation … and being told the fate of the course was in the city’s hands, the Freeman City Council voted 5-0 … to enter into two purchase agreements: one with Back Nine LLC (for) $137,000 for the golf course and all of its assets and another with land owner Daryl Graber (for) $325,000 for the 76 acres on which the course sits.

In the previous six weeks, the city had heard from (the public both) in favor of, and those against, the city purchasing the course. Most of the public input has been in favor of it.

“If we kick it down the road,” said councilor Lonnie Tjaden, “we won’t open.”

“If we’re going to do this, we’ve got to get it out there,” said councilor Charly Waltner.

Eight years later, it remains a municipal course.

March 15-21, 2020 - The impact of COVID 19 begins

Excerpts from the March 19, 2020 Freeman Courier.

Freeman Academy officials announced last week that they were postponing Schmeckfest (March 20-21, 27-28) amidst growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19; new dates have not been determined.

Concerns that coronavirus would have an impact on Schmeckfest grew last week, as the spread of the worldwide pandemic became a hard reality in South Dakota and across the United States.

The first (five) cases in South Dakota were reported March 10. Worry went from zero to 60 in the days that followed.

Sioux Falls declared a state of emergency on Thursday. On Tuesday, Gov. Kristi Noem ordered all South Dakota schools be closed through March 27.

The South Dakota High School Activities Association (postponed) the remainder of the State B Girls Basketball Tournament (and) this week’s State B Boys Basketball Tournament.

All region music contests and All-State Band, scheduled March 28, were canceled. The SDHSAA has canceled all of its high school sports through at least April 5.

Freeman Mayor Sam Sorensen told the Courier. “I don’t think we’re in a place where we need to quarantine everybody — at least not around here — but that can change in a matter of hours.”

Freeman Public Library suspended all programming and is distributing books and DVDs only by advance orders and delivered in the breezeway. Oakview Terrace and Freeman Medical Center (and) the Salem Mennonite Home (went) into lockdown Tuesday night.

And on Tuesday, the Hutchinson County Commission voted to close the county courthouse to the public indefinitely.

Donald Trump declared the United States in a state of emergency. And on Sunday night, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) discouraged groups larger than 50 from meeting for the next eight weeks. That recommendation was reduced to 10 by President Trump on Monday. “If that’s what it takes to keep this from spreading, so be it.”

Addendum: Schmeckfest 2020 was ultimately canceled, not only in 2020 but also in 2021-22. COVID-19 has caused more than 7 million confirmed deaths, and 18.2 to 33.5 million estimated deaths. It ranks as the fifth-deadliest pandemic or epidemic in history.

March 8-14, 1959 - Schmeckfest debuts March 13, 1959

From the March 19, 1959 Freeman Courier.

More than a thousand people gathered to enjoy this old-fashioned meal at the Mennonite Smorgasbord held in Pioneer Hall Friday night (March 13). The ladies of the auxiliary had not anticipated such a turnout, consequently many of the old-time savory dishes were emptied before all of the crowd was served. A line of hungry people about three-deep extended the length of Pioneer Hall on the outside, plus the packed corridor leading to the dining hall. Many left to eat at the downtown café, where they also had to wait in line to be served.

The favorable weather was an inducement for many of the community to patronize this unusual Schmeckfest.

The event had been promoted in the Courier in this Feb. 26 news release.

On March 13 the Freeman College Womens Auxiliary is planning a “Schmeckfest” which will be a sort of smorgasbord featuring some of the traditional old European dishes which the Low German, Swiss and Hutterish pioneers brought to this country. They invite you to bring the whole family to enjoy this unusual treat at the Pioneer Hall Dining Hall on March 13. Serving begins at 5 o’clock when they invite you to come and take all you want — and eat all you take. Prices will be one dollar for adults, fifty cents for grade school children and free for pre-school children. You can make your selections from the following items (spelling approximately like dialect pronunciation): Gruene Schauble Zup; Porzilke; Pluma Moos; Zwieback; Bona Berrogi; Hallupse; Nalles Nicki; Krumbera Maga; Krumbera Pankucha; Druckene Bona; Mak Kucka; Kutja; Russiche Kucha; Sauerkraut; Taemppffliesh; Worsch; Krappflen; Fleishch Kuechle; and Roggenbrot.

At 8 o’clock there will be a talent program in the main auditorium at which time a free-will offering will be taken for the kitchen project.

Addendum – Little did the organizers know that March 13 gathering would become an annual event, putting Freeman on the map and providing key funding for Freeman Junior College and Academy. The 2026 Schmeckfest on April 10 and 11 marks the 68thyear, although the Covid 19 pandemic resulted in significantly scaled-back activities in 2020-21-22.

March 1-7, 1924 - St. Paul plans for new school

From the March 6, 1924 Freeman Courier.

The St. Paul congregation had a meeting this week to discuss the advisability of erecting a new school building and the sentiment to build prevailed. That means a fine modern structure will be erected as soon as necessary. Funds will be raised to erect the building, and it will be adequate in every respect. Fred Haar donated half a block for ground, not far from his home (the school was located in the southeast portion of the intersection of Sixth and Dewald – today Home to Dewald Street village).

Addendum: The Aug. 14, 1924 Courier reported “the laying of the cornerstone (on Aug. 10) was evidence that their fond hopes of having a modern consolidated Christian day school will materialize. The ceremony on the new school grounds was witnessed by a large gathering of friends of Christian education from many neighboring congregations.”

The Jan. 25, 1925 Courier reported “a monumental event in the history of Saint Paul Lutheran Church of Freeman was celebrated in festive services last Sunday, mainly the dedication of their Christian Day School.”

The two-story brick building included two classrooms (upper and lower grades), a confirmation room, office and a full basement area that included a kitchen; it was also used as a gymnasium and large meeting space. A large playground area extended east of the school.

The May 1, 1991 Courier announced that “after providing Christian education for elementary students for 103 years, St. Paul Lutheran Day School will be closing its doors permanently at the end of this school year.” The article noted the decision was made on how to best meet the church's educational needs. It was the final chapter in a history that saw enrollment as high as 89 in 1952. But it had declined in the final decades of the 20th century; 1990-91 enrollment was 12; the prospect for the following year was 11.

In 1993, two years after the school closed, the building became home to Growing Dreams Learning Center. The building was demolished in the summer of 2006, two years after the daycare center left. The following year, the property – purchased by Freeman Regional Health Services – became home to Dewald Street Village.

Heritage Hall Museum in Freeman, South Dakota tells the story of the German-from-Russia immigrants and others who settled in southeastern Dakota Territory in the 1870s. Our South Dakota museum has over 20,000 historical items on display!

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