FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  Feb. 8, 2012

CONTACT:  Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

State Historical Society lists two properties on National Register

PIERRE, S.D. – Two South Dakota properties were added in January to the National Register of Historic Places, according to the South Dakota State Historical Society.  The listed properties are the Hardy Ranger Station in Lawrence County, and the Marty Indian School Gymnasium and St. Therese Hall in Marty.

The National Register is the official federal list of properties identified as important in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering and culture. The State Historic Preservation Office of the State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre works in conjunction with the National Park Service, which oversees the National Register program. 

"South Dakota's history is rich in American Indian culture, pioneer life and change," saidJay D. Vogt, state historic preservation officer and director of the State Historical Society. "Properties listed on the National Register are important for their role inSouth Dakota's culture, heritage and history. And when properties get listed, it shows that their owners take pride in their role in preserving that culture, heritage and history."

Buildings, sites, structures and objects at least 50 years old possessing historical significance may qualify for the National Register, according to Vogt. Properties must also maintain their historic location, design, materials and association. Listing on the National Register does not place any limitations on private property owners by the federal government. 

For more information on the National Register or other historic preservation programs, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at theCulturalHeritageCenter,900 Governors Drive,Pierre,SD57501-2217; telephone (605) 773-3458 or website history.sd.gov/Preservation.

Summaries for each site are as follows:

Hardy Ranger Station, Lawrence County

Located 1.5 miles south of O’Neil Pass and within the Black Hills National Forest, the Hardy Ranger Station was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in 1936.  CCC Company 2759V played a major role in its construction. The company was comprised only of World War I veterans who were older than regular CCC enrollees.   

Consisting of two log cabins and a log maintenance barn, the station is listed on the National Register for its Rustic style architecture. This style was popular in park settings in the 1930s. It is also listed for its association with the CCC, particularly Company 2759V.

Forest Service rangers provided numerous tasks out of the Hardy Guard Station, including fighting fires, managing timber sales, regulating grazing rights and improving forest access. 

Marty Indian School Gymnasium and St. Therese Hall, Marty

The Marty Indian School, formerly known as Marty Mission School, is located in Marty on the Yankton Reservation. The gymnasium, built in 1935, is a three-story brick building in the Stripped Classicism style, which was popular at the time. Designed in the Art Deco style using brick and limestone, the four-story St. Therese Hall was completed in 1945.

These buildings are listed on the National Register in the areas of Education, Art, Religion, Ethnic Heritage and Architecture. The school’s buildings embody important historical trends about 1930s school architecture, early 20th century Sioux artwork, the development of the mission and community around Marty, as well as the history of Catholic missions to American Indian tribes in South Dakota. 

With sincere appreciation, Chairman Thurman Cournoyer and the Yankton Sioux Tribe would like to thank the following individuals for their help researching and sharing their life’s work and intimate memories that made this nomination possible: Professor Emeritus, Herbert T. Hoover, Beresford; Noted author Mary E. Carson, Seattle WA; Liz Almlie, SD State Historic Preservation Specialist, Pierre; Yankton Sioux Tribal Historic Preservation Officer, Lana M. Gravatt; and Marty Indian School graduates (www.martysd.com) Cletus Goodteacher, Sisseton; and Larry Dauphinais and Dr. Carol Davis, Belcourt, ND.

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The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council, and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.