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In March 1960, Freeman citizens learned that regional post office officials had authorized construction of a new post office in Freeman. But the location was controversial; It moved the post office from Main Street, where it had been for 80 years, to the corner of Fifth and Poplar (the present location).

Like many residents, Courier editor and publisher J.J. Mendel felt the new location was a mistake and shared his views in the Sept. 1, 1960, issue of the Courier:

“The people of Freeman have a big question to decide and that is the location of the new Post Office building.

“But how can the public decide if they are not consulted. If a place of business is located, the owner picks the place that will be most handy for the customer to visit. If that was done with our Post Office location question, we would not have the least doubt our post office would be located on the corner north of the City Café (the southeast corner of Third and Main and today home of the EtCetera Shoppe). The lot is 50 x 140 feet and all know that is a big enough for the town of Freeman for many years. We live in a democracy and the P. O. Department should settle this question by (a public) vote or it would look like the tail is wagging the dog. The vote would locate our P.O. (on this) corner… the public would like it on account of the handy location.”

Addendum: Despite Mendel’s objections and public opinion favoring Main Street, the Oct. 13 issue of the Courier reported that groundbreaking and construction of the new post office would begin immediately at Fifth and Poplar, providing 1,713 square feet plus an outside loading platform with ample surface space for parking and truck maneuvering.

The Freeman Post Office was established March 15, 1880. Early post offices were always found in the business place of whoever was postmaster at the time; that was the case for the first three decades in Freeman. In 1916, the Post Office was moved into the building that today is home to Strawser Law Office, where it remained for more than four decades.

On Wednesday, Aug. 23, 1950, Freeman hosted the opening session of the triennial gathering of the General Conference Mennonite Church, an association of congregations in Canada, the U.S., and South America. Construction of Pioneer Hall had been completed just in time for the gathering, which ran through Aug. 30.

The previous week, the Freeman Courier announced, “It was decided to have the 1950 session … in the Mennonite Athens of South Dakota, and that is Freeman, and the meeting will be held in the new Pioneer Hall.

“People will come from almost every state in the union and (Freeman) is small for a gathering like that, but the rural communities will help take care with accommodations and homes of other denominations in the city are also opening their doors to the anticipated visitors. This reflects the friendly churches of this city. “

In the Aug. 31 Courier, editor J.J. Mendel offered a mix of reporting and opinion. Here are excerpts:

“Many important problems were discussed during the seven days in session here and they were busy days for the delegates from all parts of the United States and Canada.”

“A changeless Christ and a changing world makes church work very complicated, no matter how much is said and spent for education.”

“The people of this community, regardless of church denomination, tried their best to accommodate … and we are sure the visitors felt warm hospitality of the public.”

“Big gatherings of a different nature are apt to cause disturbances. But with a church group like this, or any other church group, the police force can take a long nap at noon and go home early in the evening.”

“The total registration was 1,367 without local visitors; 1,174 registered from out of state.”

Addendum. This was not the first time Freeman hosted a triennial gathering of the Mennonite General Conference on the campus. In 1923, a temporary wood tabernacle was erected south of the campus; Memorial Hall had not yet been built. And, as in 1950, a new building was erected just in time. The new gym (which later became the Tieszen Industrial Arts Building) served as the dining hall for conference guests in 1923.

J.J. Mendel, editor of the Courier from 1902 to 1960, was a community booster. Here’s an example from Aug. 16, 1917.

"If there is a man in our burg who has confidence in this town, it's the Sugar Bowl man. Recently he invested in a $700 popcorn machine that made some almost faint. Others thought it was a joke, but they all agree now that that's where you can get the real popcorn, the best you ever tasted. Nothing but the big, fluffy flakes of the best corn grown; crisp, crackling, clean, popped in a wonderful machine that automatically removes all burnt grains or "bachelors," and that butters every kernel just right. All without a touch of the hand."

The Sugar Bowl, a fruit and ice cream parlor, specialized in confections and other tasty treats. It was located on the site where the Freeman Courier and the north/entrance portion of the Freeman Public Library stand today.

Although the Sugar Bowl had a relatively short life in Freeman – it was open from 1914 to 1922 – it has a rich history.

We found some historical perspective, thanks to Mendel, in earlier issues.

May 7, 1914

"The Sugar Bowl will open for business on May 15. A. A. Waldner, the proprietor, deserves credit for putting up a neat place as that. He is just putting in a thousand-dollar iceless soda fountain and all the fixtures will be of the best kind."

May 13, 1920

"The Sugar Bowl likes to have the best in everything. The latest investment is an electric machine for extracting the juice from fresh oranges and lemons. It takes but a few seconds to do it."

Mendel also shared this sad news in the Jan. 26, 1922 issue:

"Four business buildings were destroyed by fire in Freeman Saturday morning. The fire was discovered a little before six in the room at the rear end of the Sugar Bowl in the north building. The room was used for a kitchen. The fire had barely started when the fire alarm was given and the firemen were on the ground in but a few minutes … But they were unable to get water because the five hydrants closest to the fire were frozen and had to be thawed first and after that was done, the conflagration couldn't be controlled anymore and all four buildings burned down to the foundation.”

On Aug. 14, 1903, the Freeman Town Board, meeting in special session, adopted an ordinance that governed pool and similar games within the town of Freeman.

It was published in the Aug. 20 issue of the Courier. We’ve gone through the “legalese” and highlighted some of the key elements. 

1. No one can have “billiard, pool, bagatelle, pigeon or any other table or implement in any public resort” without a license from the city.

2. The application to the city must be made in writing.

3. No license will be given to a minor.

4. The license fee is $2 per month and must be paid in advance.

5. Any license awarded has to be displayed in a conspicuous place and it cannot be transferred.

6. Windows and doors of the business must be unobstructed by anything that prevents a free view from the street.

7. All places where these games are allowed must be closed “on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday” and from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. In other words, they could be open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays. 

8. Minors are not allowed inside the establishment unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

9. Anyone who operates an establishment without a license is subject to a fine of at least $6 but not more than $50.

The published minutes noted that the ordinance passed on a split vote by the three-member board. M. Wollman and A.A. Wollman voted yes and Jno. Schamber voted no. There was no explanation of why Schamber voted no.

Excerpts from the August 6, 1997 issue of the Courier:

Generations from now, Freeman citizens will benefit from a project that was initiated just last month. 

With the acceptance of a challenge from the South Dakota Community Foundation, the Freeman Community Development Corporation is taking the first step toward starting a community foundation. 

The South Dakota Community Foundation will give a $50,000 grant to the Freeman Community Development Corporation if they can raise 100,000 by July 1, 2000. 

The money will go toward a community foundation which provides funds for community projects in the areas of economic development, human services, education, health and cultural programs. 

The fundraising committee is being organized by Freeman Community Development Coordinator Sharon Schamber. Every penny the committee raises will be given to the South Dakota Community Foundation to be invested along with funds from other community foundations. 

The Freeman Community Foundation will be able to collect 5% interest from the money as soon as it is invested. 

It will eventually replace itself and make more money. It keeps on giving you earned interest and it’s ongoing forever,” Schamber said. 

Addendum: By 1998, the Freeman Community Foundation met the funding challenge by raising more than $108,000. Combined with matches from SDCF and Merchants State Bank, the endowment began with nearly $160,000 and over the years has grown dramatically and provided significant funding for local projects since 2000.

Here are some current statistics from the Freeman (as of this spring 2026).

• $1.6M endowment 

• $546,000 in grants and scholarships

• 153 community projects supported since 2000

• Grants have ranged from $285 to $14,460 

• More than 50 local organizations have received grants

• 42 FCF Service Scholarships have been awarded to local high school graduates

Excerpts from the Freeman Courier Aug, 2, 2018:

A crowd four times the size of what organizers had planned for, flooded the grounds of the Freeman softball field late Saturday afternoon, July 28. It made the first-ever South Dakota Chislic Festival both an overwhelming success and a frustrating ordeal for those trying to manage the huge crowd — and some in the huge crowd who didn’t get any chislic and/or simply left. 

“It was beyond our wildest expectations,” said Joshua Hofer, the founder and chief organizer of the six-hour event that he says drew as many as 8,000 people from across the region and gave a fresh meaning to the “Field of Dreams” cliché, “If you build it, they will come.” 

Hofer said people were milling about as early as noon — four hours before the official (4 p.m.) start. The festival hit the 2,000-attendee mark less than an hour in and, by 5:30, the crowd had overtaken the grounds. Some who came to the festival left early and others, who after seeing the crowd, didn’t even bother to make entry. 

The softball field was packed with people hungry for chislic and thirsty for the craft beers being served nearby. That made for long lines and confusion over what lines went with what vendor. 

“We knew we could handle 1,500 to 2,000 in the space we had; 7,000 to 8,000 was another game,” Hofer said. “We were disappointed we couldn’t accommodate that kind of crowd — to provide a premiere experience for everyone. “We know people left frustrated; we just hope they hang with us … We have 10 months to process this and plan for the next one.” 

Addendum: Those plans for 2019 included moving the festival across town to the 40-acre Prairie Arboretum with much more space. Although 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic, the festival continued at the arboretum as an annual affair through 2025. It was then changed to an every-other-year event, scheduled to return in 2027.

An early history of the Salem Home can be found in the Courier’s July 22, 1943, issue.

Editor J.J. Mendel’s reference to an “old people’s home” (yes, that’s what it was called at the start) is the facility that became the Salem Mennonite Home for the Aged – commonly known as the Salem Home. His account reminds us that the impetus came from 12 area Mennonite churches and that the location in Freeman was in question. 

Here’s are excerpts:

During the past week, more than one caller has asked us whether this present movement for an old people’s home also includes a hospital.

This is a move for an old people’s home 100%. Marion and Freeman are always on friendly terms and they will also be on friendly terms … regardless of where it will be located. 

We are told that the Marion Commercial Club has many flattering offers. The Freeman Commercial Club is very enthusiastic about the undertaking. They offer three good locations. 

The location for this home will be decided by the unconditional signers and pledgers, and these are the members of the 12 churches behind this move. There’s only one question churches will ask themselves in deciding the location: where would my grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, brother, sister, friend or myself or my family members be more at home, all conditions and environments considered; in an old people’s home in Marion or Freeman?

Addendum: In November 1943, the churches chose Freeman as the location. A frame structure at 7th and Main was remodeled to accommodate 12 residents and dedicated on March 27, 1949. The first resident arrived in September of that year. Four months later, it was filled to capacity and several additions were built in the years that followed. 

In 2023, the Salem Home became part of Freeman Regional Health Services, operating today as Freeman Regional Assisted Living (FRAL). It is part of a major multi-phase project designed to create a new FRHS campus east of Wynken Drive. The first phase will be the hospital and clinic. Plans also call for transitioning FRAL residents to Dewald and Walnut Street Villages and the nursing home during the transitional period.

On Sunday, July 17, 1926, the cornerstone was laid for Memorial Hall (commonly known today as the “Administration Building”) on the campus of Freeman Junior College and Academy. 

Here are excerpts from the July 22, 1926, Freeman Courier. 

The laying of the cornerstone Sunday brought many people to Freeman. The meeting was opened with a prayer … Then came speakers… representing the board … faculty … town and churches … a song (and) the laying of the stone by Professor A.J. Regier …followed by a prayer which ended the program. 

The following documents and records were placed in the hollow space of the stone: Report of the 400th anniversary celebration of the Mennonite Church by Rev. H.J. Krehbiel, copy of the first latest catalog of the college, a copy of the Star, college annual, specifications of the new building, Freeman Courier, Bundesbote, Mennonite, Wahrheitsfeund, Zionbote, photographs of the present faculty, articles of incorporation, Argus Leader, and the Bible. 

Addendum: Courier publisher J.J. Mendel regularly reported on the project in earlier and later editions.

The Nov. 19, 1925 Courier offered background. “On Feb. 12, 1919, it was decided to erect a new $100,000 building, but construction should not commence before 90% of the money was pledged.”

Feb. 12, 1925: It becomes more necessary year after year to erect a new college building. … An attempt was made (in 1919), but times of depression came and a great money stringency was the result (and) the drive was abandoned. But times have changed and another drive has started.

In Dec. 1925, Mendel wrote” This is a three-story brick building that will improve the appearance of the city wonderfully. At present there are 100 students, but the number could be doubled in short time after the new building is completed. 

In her book “For Half a Century,” Marie J. Waltner writes that the board accepted the $49,995 bid for construction in May 1926 and “actual construction progressed so rapidly that the structure was ready for occupancy on Dec. 11. 

“On Dec. 19, 1926, Memorial Hall was formally and since then has served as the indispensable center of all campus work,” she wrote.

 Excerpts from the July 11, 2012 Courier:

It’s been a long time coming, but bus service is finally set to start in Freeman. 

The 16-passenger handicap-accessible bus will hit the street for the first time Thursday, July 12. Norm Kaufman, chair of the Freeman Community Transit Service Committee, says different information and poor communication from multiple agencies have contributed to multiple delays. 

“We were ready to roll this out in March, but we have not been able to get clarity on how to proceed,” he said. 

The bus will run Mondays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon, and Sunday from 9 am to 1 p.m. A second bus is scheduled to arrive later in the summer. 

Discussions about bringing a transit service to the community began in early 2011. Freeman is working with the Rural Office of Community Service (ROCS). Freeman was included in the ROCS 2012 budget but … withdrawn last summer due to (federal) budget cuts. In early May, ROCS announced Freeman would be included after all.

“When we got the federal money we had to fit within federal guidelines,” said Kaufman. “That changed how we were to proceed.”

Addendum: In October of the following year, Freeman Community Transit shifted administrative services from ROCS to the Brookings Area Transit Authority (BATA). The partnership with BATA continues. 

The BATA website notes transportation services are available to anyone within the greater Hutchinson County area including Freeman, Menno, Bridgewater and other communities around the area, serving youth, the general public, elderly, and passengers with disabilities. Rides can be scheduled from 8 to 5 Mondays through Fridays.

“Our passengers schedule rides to work, school, medical appointments, shopping trips and more! Common destinations include Sioux Falls, Yankton, and Mitchell.”

A three-bay bus garage and office building was built across from Freeman City Hall  year.

The opening of South Dakota Mennonite College (later Freeman Junior College and Academy) was big news in 1903. But most of what appears in the Freeman Courier is short one or two-sentence updates; here are examples.

July 2: The new college is coming right down the line, 17 loads of sand and 30 loads of rock in one day. Two carloads of lumber have arrived for the new college building. 

July 21: The mason work on the new college will be completed this week… the contractor started carpenter work on the new building Tuesday. 

August 27: The college is being pushed right to the front. The cupola is being placed in position. 

September 17: Dave Ellwein, our tinner, informs us that the tin ceiling for the college is expected any day and the same will be put up as soon as it arrives.

October 1: 120 single desks were ordered for the college.

October 29: A large audience gathered at the Mennonite College last Sunday afternoon to attend dedication services. Reverend Jos Kaufman, Christ Mueller, H. Bachman, and John L Wipf addressed the people and held the attention of the large congregation throughout their entire instructive discourse. 

December 3: The number of students at the college increased considerably this week a new student nearly every morning.

December 10: 65 students enrolled at the college up to the present.

December 17: The college bell arrived and was put in place Saturday. It weighs 400 pounds. 

Addendum: A challenge in chronicling the early history of SDMC is that the Courier was established in April 1901, after the move to establish the school began.

But we have another source. In her 1951 book "For Half a Century," Marie J. Waldner writes that Mennonites in the Freeman area felt the need for education emphasizing "the Christian values generally held essential by these Mennonite immigrants."

The South Dakota Mennonite College Corporation was organized on Dec. 10, 1900. While both Bridgewater and Marion were also considered, Waldner writes "the majority of the school friends of that time sympathized with the idea of considering Freeman the center of the Mennonite settlement."

She writes that 109 elementary-high school students enrolled that first year. 

Classes continued through the 2025-26 school year.

Excerpts from the June 24, 1998 Freeman Courier:

Looking (south of) the Freeman Academy campus shortly after he arrived in the summer of 1994, Dr. Larry Horner didn’t like what he saw. 

“It didn’t look like any high school or college campus; it was drab looking.”

Horner, with the help of several committees, volunteers and donations is out to change that image – one tree at a time.

Construction is scheduled to begin in July … on the Prairie Arboretum, which will be located on the southern 40 acres of the campus.

Its purpose is … to create an area of beauty with water, trees, shrubs, native grasses and flowers … as a teaching tool and an aesthetic resource for the biodiversity of the Freeman area. Horner, Lyle Preheim, John Schrag and James Unruh make up the steering committee behind the project.

More than 50,000 cubic yards of dirt will be removed, which will create 12 to 15-foot deep ponds. Many of the things needed to complete it will be donated… trees, plants (and) volunteers.

Addendum: The property south of the campus was known as the Klasi land; the name of the family that owned the property before Freeman Junior College and Academy purchased it in 1974. Horner, who came to Freeman Academy in 1994 as the school’s president, saw the land’s potential as part of his larger campus improvement efforts.

Unruh, a community native and an engineer, began working with Preheim on the concept and design prior to the June 1998 announcement. It included dewatering in preparation for the excavation in May of 1999 and lasted three years. The first tree, an oak, was planted in May of 1999, followed by scores of trees that were planted and relocated. More than 400 tons of rocks were brought in to protect the pond shorelines from erosion. Flower gardens were created along more than a mile of a walking paths along the ponds.

The Freeman Prairie Arboretum was dedicated on Sept. 22, 2002. An amphitheater (2004) and interpretive center (2006) and other features have been added.

Although the property is owned by Freeman Academy, an independent board oversees the arboretum.

Excerpts from the June 23, 1982 Freeman Courier: 

If the founding members of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church could’ve sat in the pews during the 1030 morning worship service June 20, they would have probably been a bit uncomfortable in the strange surroundings as the prelude was played. The walls would’ve been a stark contrast to the walls of the church they knew, the vaulted ceiling giving a feeling of grandeur and the large cross at the front of the church an indication of a more modern artistic influence. 

But with the opening hymn, they might have well forgotten the newness and enjoyed singing “Hallelujah! Lob, Preis and Ehr” with the rest of the congregation. And as a service unfolded, they would’ve thought, “really, things haven’t changed that much; they’re still worshiping in German.” The German worship service was a reminder of the heritage of St. Paul’s Lutheran, as the congregation celebrated its centennial, June 19 and 20. 

Beginning with a banquet at the FHS gym Saturday night, the centennial included three worship services – a 9 a.m. service of celebration, a 10:30 a.m. German service and a 2 p.m. festival service. At noon potluck was held at the gym. Displays … at the Lutheran Day School both days proved to be very popular. It included books used in the first years of the church … scale models built by Gerhard Schamber of the church facilities in the 100-year history, pictures of the early years and other memorabilia. 

Fifty years earlier, a similar celebration was held. The Sept. 1, 1932 Courier noted “all roads will lead to Freeman Sunday, Sept. 4 when the 50th anniversary of the founding of the St. Paul’s congregation will be celebrated.

“Organized in 1882 with nine members … during the first four years, services were conducted in the homes of the members and later in the public school building. Four years later, the congregation decided to erect a church building. After 17 years, it was necessary to erect a larger church; …it was dedicated in 1899.”

Addendum: The congregation moved from its original location at southwest Fourth and Poplar to its present location along Seventh Street between Wipf and Poplar in 1963.

Excerpts from the Freeman Courier, June 7, 1978:

The future of Casey’s General Store in Freeman is still an unanswered question. The debate over the location of the convenience grocery store self-service gas station erupted following the meeting of the Freeman City Council and representatives from Casey’s on April 17. 

Casey's studied the town and traffic flow (and) determined that the corner of Cherry and Fifth was “our first, second and third choice.” They also stated that the granting of a carryout beer permit was a prerequisite.

At the May 1 meeting, a building permit was granted. The same evening, a permit to sell carry-out low-point beer was requested by Casey’s. The issuance of that permit has become the latest battle over Casey’s. 

Thursday, May 29, a petition carrying the names of 98 people was submitted to the city council. The council was meeting that night to decide on the issue of permits to sell low-point beer to five Freeman businesses, including Casey’s. 

Addendum: The real issue was the location. Residents around the proposed location didn’t want a business in their neighborhood. Freeman, at that time, had no zoning ordinances. More than 100 city residents signed a petition asking the city to deny a building permit because the business didn't conform to the residential nature of the area. After the city granted the building permit, the beer permit became the next legal maneuver.

The weeks that followed included a court ruling uphelding a petition calling for the denial of the beer license and a public vote by city residents. The July 19 Courier reported, “Freeman voters turned out to make their ballots either in favor of or against the resolution prohibiting the sale of beer on the corner of Fifth and Cherry .. 275 voters said yes … and 427 said no.”

That vote led to the issuance of a beer permit. Construction on the building at Fifth and Cherry began that year and Casey’s opened in June 1979. It remained there until it moved to its current location at Sixth Street and Highway 81 in 2013.

When Casey's opened in Freeman in 1979, the company had 110 stores in operation. Today, Casey’s reports more than 2,900 stores in 19 states.

From the May 31, 1906 Freeman Courier: 

Tuesday evening, the committee named in our last issue to arrange for the Fourth of July met, and once again proceeded to work out the program.

Amongst the many excellent features we are to have follows: 

• One of the best bands in the state 

• Two renowned speakers, one German and one English 

• A grand parade 

• Two ball games 

• Live pigeon shooting 

• A two-block run for a purse between the two hose carts, number one and number two of the Freeman • volunteer fire company. 

• Merry-go-round 

• And too many other others to enumerate them all in this issue 

The committee has also secured a tent, big enough to hold all the visitors, so everyone (should) arrange (to) come to Freeman and celebrate with us, for we candidly believe this will be the greatest celebration ever had in this part of the state.

On July 5, the Courier reported on the event.

“The day was a delightful one. Quite a number came from neighboring towns  … and people from the surrounding country came in large numbers. The town was filled with a large crowd all day and evening. All spent a very pleasant day as it was a very orderly crowd.

“The first thing in the morning was the parade, which was the finest procession ever seen in Freeman. At 10:30 a.m., the band, after playing a few selections on the street, marched to the tent and people listened to the speakers … Professor Thierstein in German and Major Dollard of Scotland in English. They showed themselves (to be) fluent and eloquent speakers and delivered splendid addresses. Professor Lamb read the Declaration of Independence. 

“The advertised attractions for the afternoon were all pulled off in such a manner that the committees deserve great credit for their successful management of the entertainment.”